Director, Payer National Accounts

The Role:
Reporting to the Senior Director, Payer & Reimbursement, the Director, Payer National Accounts plays a critical role in shaping Nuvalent’s market access strategy and shares responsibility for executing the strategic payer plan to secure appropriate market access for future portfolio launches.  This role plays a key part in driving the on-label placement and positioning of Nuvalent’s targeted oncology products.

This position is one of two national payer leads and owns strategic account management and contracting for a portfolio of national and regional payers and two of the three major Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)—Express Scripts, CVS Caremark, or OptumRx, aligned to the candidate’s experience.

This highly visible position requires deep expertise in market access, strong negotiation skills and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders throughout Commercial, Medical     Affairs, HEOR, Legal and Finance teams.

The Director, Payer National Accounts develops long-term strategic partnerships to mitigate access barriers, drive on-label positioning and ensure business growth.

 Responsibilities:

Strategic Account Management & Payer Engagement

• Develop and execute strategic payer engagement plans for assigned national payers, PBMs and key regional payers to maximize product access and reimbursement
• Serve as the primary point of contact with key decision-makers, including medical directors, pharmacy directors and other payer stakeholders
• Identify and mitigate potential market access barriers, ensuring timely and appropriate on-label coverage for Nuvalent’s oncology portfolio
• Lead value-driven contracting efforts, including negotiations for pricing, rebates and other appropriate access agreements
• Track, understand and interpret major federal and state government policy and regulatory shifts to navigate changes in payer strategy impacting coverage and reimbursement
• Provide input in developing and lead delivery of presentations to customers, incorporating clinical value and health economics and outcomes data to support formulary decision-making

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Insights

• Partner with Market Access, Sales, HEOR and Patient Services teams to ensure seamless payer engagement, response to coverage barriers and execution of pull-through strategies
• Provide payer insights to inform commercial strategy, HEOR initiatives and marketing  campaigns
• Work closely with Patient Services teams, including Field Reimbursement Managers, to facilitate effective coverage and reimbursement solutions
• Partners with Health Systems Strategy team and Trade & Distribution team to ensure seamless access to products
• Contribute to the development of payer-focused materials (e.g., clinical dossiers, economic models, payer value propositions and reimbursement guides) in collaboration with Medical     Affairs and Market Access Marketing
• Ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations, including government pricing, contract execution, and rebate processing

Performance Tracking & Business Strategy

• Monitor and analyze market access trends, payer policies and competitor strategies to optimize account engagement approaches
• Create and deliver accurate forecasts, account updates, and business reviews to senior leadership
• Develop innovative contracting approaches to secure preferred positioning and enhance product uptake

Primary Account Responsibility:

Top 2 of 3 Major National PBM Partners (specific assignments determined based on business needs and candidate experience)

• Portfolio represents approximately 75% of national PBM covered lives
• Accounts include leading integrated payer-PBM organizations and independent PBM entities
• Geographic coverage: National scope with key regional payers
• Decision-Making Structure: National P&T committees with regional implementation
• Contract Types: Traditional rebate agreements, with possibility for value-based contracts, risk-sharing arrangements
• Key Stakeholder Levels: C-suite, VP/Director level formulary decision makers, clinical leadership

Final account assignments between Directors will be determined based on:

• Candidate’s existing relationships and experience
• Current business priorities and strategic initiatives
• Geographic considerations and market dynamics
• Succession planning and organizational development needs

Competencies include:

• Entrepreneurial spirit and disruptive mindset
• Successful track record working in a fast-paced, rapid-growth environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to gain alignment by working collaboratively and inclusively across functional teams
• Strong verbal and written communications
• Proven ability to grow and develop others
• Record of achievement, innovation and compliance

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent preferred
• 15+ years of biopharma industry experience, including market access, account management and contracting
• 8+ years in oncology market access with a strong understanding of payer dynamics
• Expertise in US healthcare policy and payer models (Medicare Part D, PBMs, commercial payers)
• Strong analytical skills, ability to synthesize clinical and economic data into strategic insights
• Exceptional negotiation and relationship-building skills with executive-level stakeholders
• Ability to navigate complex contracting scenarios, pricing strategies and payer policies
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally, driving alignment across commercial and market access teams
• High ethical standards and a strong commitment to healthcare compliance
• Up to 60% domestic travel required