Director – Payer Account Management

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, Account Management to lead payer engagements and drive broad access for the company’s innovative medicines at launch and beyond. The Director, Account Management is responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships at multiple 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, Account Management will develop and execute account specific strategies for multiple Regional Payer and PBM accounts. 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. This position plays a critical role in the delivery of product value proposition that demonstrates the clinical and economic value of Axsome Therapeutics’ CNS products.  

This is a field-based position covering the Central Region with a strong preference for candidates that live within the geography. 

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 Payer (PBM and Plan) relationships, and key decision makers

• Network across the industry and each account

• 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 6 years of successful Payer Account Management experience required

• 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 regional payer and PBM accounts  

• Strong preference for candidate to live within the territory

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

• 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 $170,000 - $210,000. 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.

Axsome is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Axsome Therapeutics does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or third-party recruitment agencies and will not pay placement fees for unsolicited candidates that are sent to hiring managers, the HR team or other Axsome team members. Only approved vendors who have been explicitly asked to support a specific search will receive access to our Applicant Tracking System to submit candidates for consideration.

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