Field Patient Access Director
Ascendis Pharma
June 30, 2026
On-site
Louisville, KY
Market Access
Field Patient Access Director (Northern CA and Nevada)
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a field-based patient access organization (PALs and FRMs) across assigned geographies.
- Set performance expectations, KPIs, and MBOs; monitor progress and provide feedback and development.
- Partner with Commercial Training & Development for onboarding and continuous learning programs.
- Lead change management to scale/evolve field patient access operations.
- Build and maintain a talent pipeline through succession planning and proactive development.
- Own field patient access readiness and execution for new product and indication launches.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on reimbursement, coverage, specialty pharmacy, and third-party services.
- Analyze payer/reimbursement/access trends to anticipate barriers and recommend mitigations.
- Collaborate with Market Access, Sales, Patient Support, Commercial Operations, and external vendors.
- Partner with Sales leadership on account planning and local access strategy.
- Support healthcare providers and office staff through compliant education.
- Drive process improvement initiatives for operational efficiency.
- Ensure field activities comply with laws, regulations, and company policies.
- Partner with Patient Safety, Pharmacovigilance, and Quality teams for reporting.
- Monitor performance data and stakeholder feedback; translate insights into recommendations.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 10+ years relevant experience in pharmaceutical/biotech/healthcare.
- Progressive field leadership experience.
- Experience supporting rare disease and/or specialty products.
- Deep understanding of reimbursement pathways and specialty pharmacy.
- Strong analytical and communication skills.
- In-depth knowledge of compliance, patient confidentiality, and access requirements.
- Knowledge of laws governing protection of patient identifying information.
Benefits
- 401(k) plan with company match; medical/dental/vision; life and AD&D; short/long-term disability; pet and legal insurance; employee assistance; employee discounts; professional development; HSA and flexible spending; incentive compensation plans; accident/critical illness/hospital indemnity; mental health resources; paid leave benefits for new parents.
Compensation
- $220,000–$245,000 (varies by qualifications/skills/experience); additional compensation may include company car, allowance, and bonus eligibility.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a field-based patient access organization (PALs and FRMs) across assigned geographies.
- Set performance expectations, KPIs, and MBOs; monitor progress and provide feedback and development.
- Partner with Commercial Training & Development for onboarding and continuous learning programs.
- Lead change management to scale/evolve field patient access operations.
- Build and maintain a talent pipeline through succession planning and proactive development.
- Own field patient access readiness and execution for new product and indication launches.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on reimbursement, coverage, specialty pharmacy, and third-party services.
- Analyze payer/reimbursement/access trends to anticipate barriers and recommend mitigations.
- Collaborate with Market Access, Sales, Patient Support, Commercial Operations, and external vendors.
- Partner with Sales leadership on account planning and local access strategy.
- Support healthcare providers and office staff through compliant education.
- Drive process improvement initiatives for operational efficiency.
- Ensure field activities comply with laws, regulations, and company policies.
- Partner with Patient Safety, Pharmacovigilance, and Quality teams for reporting.
- Monitor performance data and stakeholder feedback; translate insights into recommendations.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 10+ years relevant experience in pharmaceutical/biotech/healthcare.
- Progressive field leadership experience.
- Experience supporting rare disease and/or specialty products.
- Deep understanding of reimbursement pathways and specialty pharmacy.
- Strong analytical and communication skills.
- In-depth knowledge of compliance, patient confidentiality, and access requirements.
- Knowledge of laws governing protection of patient identifying information.
Benefits
- 401(k) plan with company match; medical/dental/vision; life and AD&D; short/long-term disability; pet and legal insurance; employee assistance; employee discounts; professional development; HSA and flexible spending; incentive compensation plans; accident/critical illness/hospital indemnity; mental health resources; paid leave benefits for new parents.
Compensation
- $220,000–$245,000 (varies by qualifications/skills/experience); additional compensation may include company car, allowance, and bonus eligibility.