Associate Director, Market Access Strategy, Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT)

Job Description

Vertex currently operates at the forefront of rare disease scientific innovation and has successfully developed and commercialized multiple breakthrough medicines for Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Sickle Cell Disease and Transfusion-Dependent Beta Thalassemia. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying mechanisms of other serious diseases including programs in Pain, Type 1 diabetes, APOL-1 Mediated Kidney Disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, among others.

The Associate Director, Market Access Strategy will be responsible for delivering impactful market access strategies and resources to maximize access and uptake for the commercialization of the CGT program. This role requires a significant degree of collaboration as well as influencing and driving strategic alignment across multiple functions (Brand Marketing, Public Affairs, HEOR, Payer Account Management, and most importantly Field Reimbursement) to ensure goal alignment and to meet corporate objectives. This role will report to the Sr. Director of US Market Access Strategy Heme.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide critical leadership and project management in developing and implementing brand and market access strategies by channel, to support patient access and customer reimbursement for CGT portfolio via the creation and delivery of impactful market access resources to identified and prioritized accounts. This includes leadership with CRC submissions, reviews and responses.
• Flawlessly executing key hospital initiatives (with a focus on coding, billing and reimbursement) to secure rapid and broad access to ensure reimbursement pathways are established
• Lead initiatives to understand, analyze and demonstrate clinical, economic and societal value to hospitals, payers, decision-makers and influencers
• Create coding, billing and reimbursement resources to support Field Reimbursement Team’s engagement with hospitals
• Lead cross-functional regulatory coding applications and submissions (e.g. ICD-10 PCS, HCPCS) and support USPA with CMS engagements (e.g. IPPS/OPPS proposed rule comment letters, etc).
• Support triage and processing of Access escalations to compliantly remove any access barriers for patients in a timely and consistent manner
• Design and build value story across hospital channel
• Lead capability building and thought leadership projects that advance knowledge of and readiness for the rapidly evolving hospital and payer environment
• Define, monitor and report on Field Reimbursement KPIs in partnership with National Field Director
• Lead Reimbursement field insight calls to identify gaps and implement resolution
• Support the Market Access Field Organization in customer segmentation strategy, planning and execution (e.g. training, account management tools/resources, and POA strategy and content needs)
• Act as a trusted, subject matter expert on hospital coverage, coding and reimbursement to internal colleagues and externally facing customers
• Manage the day-to-day agency and vendor workflow to ensure resources are delivered on time and within budget
• Strategize, formulate, and execute advisory boards and Peer to peer speaker programs for Hospital Administrators to facilitate Access and Reimbursement learnings and best practice sharing
• Build relationships with key opinion leaders in the Hospital Administrator space to support partnerships in ad-boards and P2P exchanges
• Strong collaboration with the Business Unit Marketing, Patient Support Marketing and Marketing Ops teams to support Medical, Legal, and Regulatory review process for all materials

Knowledge and Skills:

• Expert knowledge of US healthcare system, including gov’t & commercial payers (Medicaid experience preferred), policy, and regulatory environment
• Strong Knowledge of hospital access landscape (both inpatient and outpatient infusions and complex procedures) – coverage, reimbursement environment, Coding and billing
• Expertise in Marketing or other relevant strategic planning and execution skills including: branding, project management, and working collaboratively with agencies and vendors - Managed markets experience (field-based role, planning/strategy) preferred
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding objectives & goals, both as an individual and as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills with experience presenting to customers and internal leadership
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead cross-functional teams, influencing without direct authority, with the interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and succeed in a highly matrixed environment
• Product launch experience; Medicaid channel a plus as well as cell and gene therapy
• Ability to translate clinical data into economic messages
• Able to perform in a fast-paced environment, execute through ambiguity, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and communicate complex information clearly

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field. MBA or Advanced degree preferred
• Typically requires 5-10+ years of MA experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Location: Boston, MA - (3 days onsite, 2 days remote on a weekly basis)

Pay Range:

$173,400 - $260,200 Disclosure Statement:

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation:

Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible Flex Eligibility Status:

In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:

1. Hybrid : work remotely up to two days per week; or select

2. On-Site : work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

#LI-Hybrid

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com