Field Patient Access Director
Ascendis Pharma
June 25, 2026
On-site
San Diego, CA
Patient Advocacy
Field Patient Access Director
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing field-based patient access organization (PALs and FRMs) across assigned geographies.
- Establish performance expectations, KPIs, and MBOs; monitor progress and provide feedback and professional development.
- Partner with Commercial Training & Development to design and execute onboarding and continuous learning.
- Lead change management to scale/evolve field patient access operations.
- Build and maintain a strong 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 guide mitigation strategies.
- 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.
- Identify process improvement opportunities to enhance 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; promote best practice sharing.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare.
- Demonstrated 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) with company match; Medical, dental, vision; Life and AD&D; Short/long-term disability; Pet and Legal Insurance; Employee Assistance Program; Employee Discounts; Professional Development; HSA; Flexible Spending Accounts; Incentive compensation plans; Accident/Critical Illness/Hospital Indemnity; Mental Health resources; Paid leave for new parents.
Compensation
- $220,000–$245,000; additional compensation may include company car, allowance, and bonus eligibility.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing field-based patient access organization (PALs and FRMs) across assigned geographies.
- Establish performance expectations, KPIs, and MBOs; monitor progress and provide feedback and professional development.
- Partner with Commercial Training & Development to design and execute onboarding and continuous learning.
- Lead change management to scale/evolve field patient access operations.
- Build and maintain a strong 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 guide mitigation strategies.
- 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.
- Identify process improvement opportunities to enhance 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; promote best practice sharing.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare.
- Demonstrated 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) with company match; Medical, dental, vision; Life and AD&D; Short/long-term disability; Pet and Legal Insurance; Employee Assistance Program; Employee Discounts; Professional Development; HSA; Flexible Spending Accounts; Incentive compensation plans; Accident/Critical Illness/Hospital Indemnity; Mental Health resources; Paid leave for new parents.
Compensation
- $220,000–$245,000; additional compensation may include company car, allowance, and bonus eligibility.