Job Description
The Strategic Account Director (SAD) is responsible for developing and executing regional payer and PBM strategies to secure optimal access and reimbursement for Ipsen’s portfolio. This role is critical in driving regional market access success by cultivating relationships with key decision-makers, negotiating or pulling through contracts, and aligning Ipsen’s value proposition with payer priorities.
Operating within a dynamic and evolving healthcare landscape, the Strategic Account Director serves as the primary point of contact for assigned regional accounts and sales support across all Business Units, ensuring strategic alignment, operational excellence, and measurable impact on patient access and brand performance
This role will cover the West Coast and surrounding states
Main Responsibilities & Technical Competencies
• Develop and implement strategic account plans for assigned regional payers and PBMs.
• Lead contract negotiations and manage ongoing payer relationships within assigned accounts to mitigate barriers, ensure favorable formulary positioning and access, and establish Ipsen as a partner of choice across the organization’s therapeutic areas.
• Build and maintain deep, trusted relationships with key payer decision-makers and leadership (e.g. CEO, CFO, Industry Relations, Medical Directors, etc.)
• Monitor and analyze regional market trends, coverage and policy changes, and competitive dynamics to inform internal stakeholders, product strategy, and anticipate shifts.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Medical Affairs, HEOR, and Brand Teams to ensure alignment and execution.
• Serve as the single accountable point of contact for assigned accounts, ensuring timely resolution of issues and proactive communication.
• Leverage data and insights to support value-based discussions and demonstrate product differentiation.
• Maintain deep knowledge of regional healthcare systems, reimbursement models, and payer operations.
• Work collaboratively across the Payer Account and Sales teams on education and pull-through execution
Essential
Knowledge and Experience
• 10+ years of industry experience with at least 5+ years in payer account management.
• Strong understanding of U.S. payer landscape, including commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and integrated delivery networks.
• Demonstrated success in contract negotiation, formulary access, contract performance analysis, and strategic account planning.
• Exceptional business and clinical acumen.
• Strong presentation skills: ability to clearly convey his/her ideas to key internal organizational stakeholders as well as specific decision makers in assigned accounts.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to interpret healthcare data and apply insights to inform strategy.
Preferred
• Experience in rare disease, oncology, or specialty pharmaceuticals.
• Familiarity with value-based contracting and innovative access models
• Established relationships with payer accounts within defined geography.
Education
• BA/BS in Business, Life Sciences, Health Economics, or related field.
• Advanced degree (MBA, MPH, PharmD) is a plus.
The annual base salary range for this position is $188,100 to $230,000
This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentives program. The pay range displayed above is the range of base pay compensation within which Ipsen expects to pay for this role at the time of this posting. Individual compensation within this range depends on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, prior education and experience, job-related knowledge and demonstrated skills.
At Ipsen we are proud to offer a comprehensive employee benefits package, including 401(k) with company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, as well as flexible spending accounts. Ipsen also provides parental leave, paid time off, a discretionary winter shutdown, well-being allowance, commuter benefits, and much more.
Operating within a dynamic and evolving healthcare landscape, the Strategic Account Director serves as the primary point of contact for assigned regional accounts and sales support across all Business Units, ensuring strategic alignment, operational excellence, and measurable impact on patient access and brand performance
This role will cover the West Coast and surrounding states
Main Responsibilities & Technical Competencies
• Develop and implement strategic account plans for assigned regional payers and PBMs.
• Lead contract negotiations and manage ongoing payer relationships within assigned accounts to mitigate barriers, ensure favorable formulary positioning and access, and establish Ipsen as a partner of choice across the organization’s therapeutic areas.
• Build and maintain deep, trusted relationships with key payer decision-makers and leadership (e.g. CEO, CFO, Industry Relations, Medical Directors, etc.)
• Monitor and analyze regional market trends, coverage and policy changes, and competitive dynamics to inform internal stakeholders, product strategy, and anticipate shifts.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Medical Affairs, HEOR, and Brand Teams to ensure alignment and execution.
• Serve as the single accountable point of contact for assigned accounts, ensuring timely resolution of issues and proactive communication.
• Leverage data and insights to support value-based discussions and demonstrate product differentiation.
• Maintain deep knowledge of regional healthcare systems, reimbursement models, and payer operations.
• Work collaboratively across the Payer Account and Sales teams on education and pull-through execution
Essential
Knowledge and Experience
• 10+ years of industry experience with at least 5+ years in payer account management.
• Strong understanding of U.S. payer landscape, including commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and integrated delivery networks.
• Demonstrated success in contract negotiation, formulary access, contract performance analysis, and strategic account planning.
• Exceptional business and clinical acumen.
• Strong presentation skills: ability to clearly convey his/her ideas to key internal organizational stakeholders as well as specific decision makers in assigned accounts.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to interpret healthcare data and apply insights to inform strategy.
Preferred
• Experience in rare disease, oncology, or specialty pharmaceuticals.
• Familiarity with value-based contracting and innovative access models
• Established relationships with payer accounts within defined geography.
Education
• BA/BS in Business, Life Sciences, Health Economics, or related field.
• Advanced degree (MBA, MPH, PharmD) is a plus.
The annual base salary range for this position is $188,100 to $230,000
This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentives program. The pay range displayed above is the range of base pay compensation within which Ipsen expects to pay for this role at the time of this posting. Individual compensation within this range depends on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, prior education and experience, job-related knowledge and demonstrated skills.
At Ipsen we are proud to offer a comprehensive employee benefits package, including 401(k) with company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, as well as flexible spending accounts. Ipsen also provides parental leave, paid time off, a discretionary winter shutdown, well-being allowance, commuter benefits, and much more.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Strategic Account Director, Payer Relations, West position is now open for candidates interested in the Operations Executive Jobs sector. This role in Los Angeles offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Operations Executive Jobs is a plus.
