Senior Director, Field Access Strategy and Operations

Role Summary

The Senior Director, Field Access Strategy and Operations is a pivotal leadership role responsible for defining, developing, and executing comprehensive strategies to develop and executing all aspects of the access and reimbursement strategy for the U.S. healthcare landscape (Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers). This individual will bridge strategic planning with operational excellence, ensuring seamless patient support and providing senior leadership with actionable insights on market trends and policy changes. The role requires a dynamic leader who can manage high-visibility initiatives, foster cross-functional collaboration, lead a team of Directors to meet key performance indicators, and drive change in a complex environment. The Senior Director will also be responsible for creating and monitoring all access and reimbursement related policies and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and coach a high-performing team of access and reimbursement Directors (first line leaders), fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Provide coaching and educational opportunities so that the Ardelyx ARM team is viewed as subject matter experts for all field-related access and reimbursement topics
• Ensure all team activities strictly comply with all regulatory, legal, and compliance standards, including HIPAA and OIG guidelines
• Lead the development of comprehensive access and reimbursement strategies and tactics for the ARM team while acting as a trusted advisor to other commercial functions for all access and reimbursement matters
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure team effectiveness and operations, adjusting plans as needed to optimize results
• Monitor, analyze, and anticipate changes in healthcare policy, reimbursement regulations, and market trends, developing proactive strategies to help customers navigate these changes effectively.
• Partner with internal stakeholders, including Marketing, Sales, Medical Affairs, Legal, and Finance, to ensure alignment of access and reimbursement strategies with overall business objectives
• Lead the operational components of the Access and Reimbursement team including CRM, Specialty Pharmacy data integration, and integration with the hub
• Harmonize ARM team goals, key performance measures, hub data, and SP trends to enhance ARM pull through and identify opportunities for enhanced ARM coaching
• Define budget requirements, manage vendor relationships and contracts, and ensure all activities comply with legal, regulatory, and corporate compliance standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, advanced degree preferred, with 12+ years of progressive experience in access and reimbursement, patient services, market access, or related functions within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device industry, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years in a managerial or leadership role
• Deep understanding of the U.S. healthcare system, including commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid payer landscapes, coverage, coding (ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS), payment methodologies, and the "buy and bill" process
• Proven ability to develop and execute national and regional access strategies
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial acumen skills
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing external vendors/agencies
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities
• Valid driver’s license required
• Ability to travel domestically as required (approx. 30-50%)