Director, Deal Assessment - Payer

Job Description

General Summary

The Director, Deal Assessment — Payer leads payer and PBM deal assessment within US Market Access and delivers on contracting strategy across the Vertex portfolio. Reporting to the Senior Director of Account Analytics and Deal Assessment, this role turns account and financial analytics into strategic contracting decisions. The Director works directly with external accounts, plays a key role in negotiation preparation, execution, and strategy, and presents recommendations to senior leadership.  This role will connect payer and PBM account decisions to portfolio net price strategy, bringing analytical rigor and clear strategic ownership to contracting opportunities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Own payer and PBM account strategy, including the evaluation of opportunities, risks, and tradeoffs against portfolio net price objectives.

• Lead end-to-end assessment of payer and PBM agreements, from pre-deal scenarios and negotiation preparation through post-deal performance analysis.

• Direct financial modeling of contract terms, rebate structures, access outcomes, market-share scenarios, profitability, and short- and long-term business implications.

• Engage directly with external accounts and partner with field account teams on negotiation strategy and execution.

• Present account strategies, analyses, and recommendations alongside the account management team to senior leadership and governance forums.

• Partner with Market Access Strategy, Finance, Gross-to-Net, Government Pricing, Legal, Contract Operations, Investor Relations, and field stakeholders to align decisions and advance agreements.

• Maintain clear tracking of proposals, approvals, contract development, execution status, and performance; improve deal-assessment tools and processes.

Required Knowledge/Skills

• Deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical payer and PBM landscape, formulary access, reimbursement, and contracting approaches.

• Advanced financial modeling and Excel skills, with the ability to translate complex findings into decisions.

• Strong communication and influencing skills with senior leaders, external accounts, and cross-functional partners.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and lead complex work through collaboration and analytical judgment.

• Familiarity with PBM-GPOs, medical coverage policies, and traditional and innovative contracting approaches.

• Knowledge of traditional and innovative pharmaceutical contracting approaches relevant to the role.

• Ability to foster relationships, build alignment, and collaborate with home-office and field teams to develop key assumptions and deliver actionable financial insights.

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and maintain awareness of related workstreams.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 8 - 10 years of relevant experience, including at least 7 years in payer analytics, pricing, contracting, Gross-to-Net, market access finance, or a related discipline.

• Experience using relevant payer and managed-markets data sources to support contracting recommendations.

• Relevant experience in strategic pricing, payer/provider contracting, HEOR, and/or Gross-to-Net analytics within the pharmaceutical or healthcare insurance industry.

• Progressive business experience in Finance, Pricing, Payer Account Management, Government Pricing, Contracting Analytics, or another related area.

• Proficiency in business case development and persuasive communication, including presenting recommendations to senior leadership for approval.

• Demonstrated ability to manage large datasets, use advanced spreadsheet functions, and collaborate with analytics vendors to deliver actionable information.

• Knowledge of pharmaceutical and managed-markets data sources, as relevant to the role, including 867, 852, EX-Factory, IQVIA DDD and patient claims, Symphony Health, IntegriChain, chargebacks, MMIT, and DRG Managed Markets.

• Working knowledge of the pharmaceutical and managed care industry, including market dynamics, formulary coverage, market share, and profitability.

• Proven ability to influence others without formal authority using analytical evidence.

• Self-motivation, ability to work with minimal supervision, and commitment to contributing as a team player.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work under deadlines.

• Proficiency with Claude (or similar AI tool), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.

Pay Range

$180,800 - $271,200

Disclosure Statement

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations.  From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation

Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status

In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:

1.     Hybrid : work remotely up to two days per week; or select

2.     On-Site : work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

#LI-Hybrid

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance vrtx.com