Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing and delivering novel therapies for the management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The Axsome team is a lean, dynamic group of individuals committed to addressing unmet needs for patients with CNS disorders. Axsome is based in New York City.

About This Role

Axsome Therapeutics is seeking a Director of National Accounts to lead payer engagements and drive broad access for the company’s innovative medicines at launch and beyond. The Director of National Accounts is responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships at multiple National and Regional Payer and PBM accounts. This role requires the ability to understand and influence multiple stakeholders including Pharmacy Director, Medical Director, Clinical Pharmacy/Finance Directors and P&T members with the end goal of rapid formulary inclusion of launch products, ensuring easy and affordable access for patients.

The Director of National Accounts will develop and execute account specific strategies for National and Regional payer accounts and PBMs, with a focus on the Medicaid channel. Internally, this role will collaborate cross functionally with Sales, Marketing, HEOR, Medical and Pricing & Contracting to ensure a balance between affordable and easy access for patients while meeting the Net Sales goals of the company. The Director of National Accounts plays a critical role in the delivery of product value proposition that demonstrates the clinical and economic value of Axsome Therapeutics’ CNS products.  This role reports directly to the Senior Director, National Accounts.

Job Responsibilities and Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ensure disciplined and effective communication with key payer stakeholders and decision makers
• Understand dynamics of the PBM/state Medicaid relationships, Managed Medicaid plans, and key decision makers
• Attend P&T meetings and Learn P&T Committee dynamics and level of influence each has over decisions (i.e. statewide PDL, exemption state, etc.) 
• Network across the industry and each account (state Medicaid, Managed Medicaid plans, PBMs) to develop rapport with key decision makers so in place when needed 
• Execute the payer engagement strategy and leverage Payer Value Proposition to obtain appropriate access/formulary position among target accounts

• Profile key payer accounts to assess formulary review process, formulary coverage policies, utilization management deployed for the applicable therapeutic areas, and geographic coverage areas
• Identify and address potential barriers to access proactively to ensure launch product is well positioned for formulary and P&T reviews
• Identify competitive threats and develop strategies to ensure optimal coverage for Axsome Therapeutics’ portfolio of products
• Lead pull-though initiatives that capitalize on formulary wins and lead push-though efforts in areas with access challenges
• Ensure compliance with Axsome Therapeutics’ corporate policies and procedures and U.S. healthcare laws and regulations

Requirements / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, marketing, economics, or health sciences
• Minimum of 1-3 years of people leadership required, ideally in field-based Sales and/or Market Access
• Minimum 3 years of successful Payer Account Management experience required, ideally inclusive of the Medicaid channel
• Strong understanding of the payer landscape and how payer decision making impacts providers and their patients
• Demonstrated experience gaining formulary access for a launch product at national, regional, and Medicaid payer accounts and PBMs

Experience and Knowledge

• Negotiation experience, preferably in competitive primary care therapeutic areas
• Analytical mindset and history of leveraging HEOR data to articulate a value story that ensures rapid formulary coverage of launch products
• A problem-solving mindset with demonstrated “lean-forward” approach and ability to think critically
• Previous product launch experience, preferably in the CNS space and Medicaid channel
• Familiarity with current legal and regulatory landscape pertinent to the industry
• Previous experience at a small biopharmaceutical company

Salary & Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this role is $210,000 - $230,000. We encourage candidates of all levels to apply as there may be flexibility on final job title and responsibilities. The salary offer will be based on a variety of factors, including experience, qualifications, internal equity and location. Axsome offers a competitive employment package that includes an annual bonus, significant equity and a generous benefits package.