Director, Market Access DACH

Cytokinetics is a late-stage, specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class muscle activators and next-in-class muscle inhibitors as potential treatments for debilitating diseases in which cardiac muscle performance is compromised. As a leader in muscle biology and the mechanics of muscle performance, the company is developing small molecule drug candidates specifically engineered to impact myocardial muscle function and contractility.

Reporting directly to the VP, General Manager, DACH, with a dotted line to the Head of Market Access Europe, and as a member of the DACH Leadership Team, the Director Market Access DACH will lead, plan and execute market access strategy, projects and initiatives in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, both on the national as well as on the regional, operative level. They will lead, coordinate and support the German Field Market Access team in their regional and local customer engagements, as well as collaboration with the commercial sales force. Ensuring alignment with the International Market Access team, the Market Access Director will be a dynamic and adaptable leader, responsible for implementing strategies and initiatives that enhance commercial success across all business areas in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Market Access and Reimbursement Strategy

• Support national reimbursement strategies across the DACH region, in close collaboration with the DACH leadership team, the company´s international market access functions, and the external market access consultants of the respective country. Support the development of value propositions, evidence packages and reimbursement submissions for favorable Health Technology Assessment (HTA) outcomes and pricing / reimbursement decisions with bodies such as IQWIG, Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss (G-BA), GKV-SV (Spitzenverband der gesetzlichen Krankenkassen), on the AMNOG reimbursement process in Germany, as well as related institutions in Austria (Dachverband) and Switzerland (BAG).
• Pricing responsibilities will include pricing assumptions and scenarios for business review and development for the Regional & Global Pricing Committee, when needed. Oversee and lead the planning and execution of pre-launch and launch market access activities. Drive successful launch readiness activities, including reimbursement and pricing negotiations with key regional stakeholders of the respective countries.
• Ensure pipeline products are appropriately included in country level horizon scanning processes.
• Develop and execute regional reimbursement strategies and innovative contracting approaches.
• Monitor and analyze national as well as regional healthcare developments, including cost-effectiveness, reimbursement pathways, early benefit assessments or changes in pharmaceutical funding or purchasing mechanisms. Report trends and adapt strategies, accordingly, in order to minimize price reductions or price reference range .
• Provide proactive insights and training to commercial team, on strategies to reduce prescription hurdles and enhance product uptake.

Lead and Develop Teams

• The Director Market Access DACH will inspirationally lead the Field Market Access function in Germany, ensuring effective execution of regional access strategies across the 17 KV regions. This includes leading, instructing and training a team of Field Market Access Managers who engage with Commercial Key Account Managers, prescribers, regional payers, healthcare providers, and other key stakeholders to facilitate optimal reimbursement and access conditions for Cytokinetic´s products. The operative support of the Key Account Managers in the field via double visits of important prescribers will be particularly important to address any reimbursement concerns that limit the use of Cytokinetic´s products.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Field Market Access Managers across Germany.
• Provide ongoing training and development for the Field Market Access team and other customer-facing roles to ensure excellence in execution and stakeholder engagement.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Establish and maintain trusted relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), sick funds, Regional Associations of SHI Physicians (KVen), regional payor bodies and other relevant stakeholders and decision makers across the DACH region.
• Understand and address stakeholder needs to support the adoption of innovative therapies.
• Represent the company in relevant industry associations, forums, and regional events of payers and policy makers.
• Ensure compliant engagement with external stakeholders, offering value-added services and addressing access barriers.
• Enhance the company’s reputation by positioning it as a trusted partner within the healthcare ecosystem in the DACH region.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with national marketing, medical, sales teams, as well as international market access and HEOR functions, to ensure cohesive strategy execution.
• Support driving a Key Account Management strategy approach to the markets by integrating market access perspectives into cross-functional customer engagement plans.
• Facilitate communication and alignment between field and office-based teams.
• Manage local market access budgets and allocate resources effectively to meet strategic priorities.

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Analyze and present data to inform strategic decisions and track performance against KPIs.
• Identify and communicate market access trends, opportunities, and risks to internal stakeholders.

Communication and Enablement

• Create and deliver needs-oriented information materials that highlight the value of products and support effective communication with prescribers.
• Utilize both analog and digital channels to engage with networks and stakeholders effectively.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Educational Background

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced university degree preferred, ideally in natural science, business administration, or healthcare-related field.

Industry Experience

• 10+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry within market access-related functions.
• Minimum of 3 years in regional market access or related roles, with demonstrated success in execution of market access strategies in the field on customer level.

Healthcare System Expertise

• Deep understanding of the German, and basic understanding of the Austrian and Swiss healthcare systems, including legal frameworks for pricing and reimbursement.
• Strong network and stakeholder engagement experience with sick funds and other payor bodies in Germany. Operative experience in Austria and Switzerland is not a must, but beneficial.

Stakeholder Management and Communication

• Proven experience in stakeholder management, with the ability to build resilient networks and influence decision-making.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, capable of translating complex topics into audience-appropriate formats.
• High motivation, goal orientation, and a team-oriented, independent working style.

Cross-functional and Digital Competence

• Experience in matrixed, fast-paced organizations and managing cross-functional projects.
• IT-savvy, with proficiency in modern digital communication channels and MS Office applications.

Language and Travel

• Native-level fluency in German and business-fluent English, both written and verbal.
• Willingness to travel regularly across the DACH region.
  
  

What We Offer

• The privilege to participate in building and shaping the in-country operations of a young, dynamic company in the DACH region, assuming personal responsibility for business-critical projects and processes within a team of highly experienced professionals.
• An opportunity to join a scientifically outstanding, research-based specialty care pharmaceutical company, shaping the future of innovative treatments in muscle biology.
• A highly collaborative and inclusive environment which supports professional growth and personal development.
• A very competitive salary and benefits package above industry average.
  
  

Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences. We are looking for the best candidates for our open roles, but do not expect applicants to meet every qualification in order to be considered. If you are excited about what you could accomplish at Cytokinetics and believe you can add value to our team, we would love to hear from you.

Please review our General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) policy PRIOR to applying.  

Our passion is anchored in robust scientific thinking, grounded in integrity and critical thinking. We keep the patient front and center in all we do – all actions and decisions are in service of the patient and their caregivers. We champion integrity, ethics, doing the right thing, and being our best selves.

Fraud Warning: How to Identify Impersonated Cytokinetics Job Postings and Offers

Recently, there have been fraudulent employment offers being sent to candidates on behalf of Cytokinetics. Please be advised that all legitimate offers from Cytokinetics will come directly from our official email domain (Cytokinetics.com) and will only be made after completing a formal interview process.

Here are some ways to check for authenticity:

• We do not conduct job interviews through non-standard text messaging applications
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• If you are unsure about the authenticity of an offer, or if you receive any suspicious communication, please contact us directly at talentacquisition@cytokinetics.com

Please visit our website at: www.cytokinetics.com

Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer