Value, Access and Policy Director

Purpose of the role:

At Amgen, our shared mission—to serve patients—drives all that we do. It is key to our becoming one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies. We are global collaborators who achieve together—researching, manufacturing, and delivering ever-better products that reach over 10 million patients worldwide. It’s time for a career you can be proud of. An exciting opportunity reporting to Amgen Saudi GM to lead and deliver our Value, access and policy strategy across priority brands and strategic projects, as well as coordinating Amgen engagement with national and regional key stakeholders.

This is a highly visible role, working with senior leaders in KSA and MEA region.

As the Value, Access & Policy (VA&P) director for Saudi Arabia, this candidate must coordinate the development and execution of strategies across the Kingdom. He/She must collaborate with Global and Regional colleagues to translate the VA&P strategies into specific operational tactics that are most effective at a country level. The candidate will also direct key policy strategies for Saudi

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and execute a coordinated national value, access and policy affairs strategy in collaboration with country management.
• Build & leverage Amgen’s reputation as a credible, science-based thought leader that makes meaningful contributions to patients, providers, health systems and society.
• Understand key policy issues that impact Amgen business in the country and inform Amgen policy positions to craft the policy landscape.
• Represent Amgen at key national industry meetings and actively craft industry strategy on priority issues.
• Ensure close partnership with key healthcare providers and national decision makers
• Ensure close partnership with MEA Health Economics and Regional Pricing & contracting partners to ensure that global plans incorporate appropriate planning assumptions and evidence strategies to prepare to commercialize pipeline products optimally in the Kingdom

• Anticipate changing payer landscapes by building and maintaining a deep understanding of payers, including emerging trends that can impact access for Amgen products.
• Collaborate with global and regional Amgen partners to conduct annual reimbursement situational analyses to inform access strategies and planning assumptions for region.
• Guide country teams as they develop their access plans, including efficient approaches with governmental agencies and payers, and help them prepare new product launches.
• Leverage all available resources (e.g., clinical, regulatory, medical, marketing) to develop and implement tactical plans and identify and overcome access barriers.
• This role is part of Saudi’s Management Team and an important key player in building a collaborative and inclusive culture among the organization.

Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree and 5 years of experience in similar positions on a big pharmaceutical company Or
• Master’s degree and 8 years of experience in similar positions on a big pharmaceutical company Or
• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of experience in similar positions on a big pharmaceutical company
• Primary language Arabic, but proficient in English (both in oral and written communication)

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and engage in productive debate and collaboration with senior leaders.
• Strong understanding of payer and government environment in Saudi, including reimbursement, pricing and contracting, value drivers, tenders and formulary management,
• Strong understanding of strategic pricing and contracting, including innovative ways such as risk-sharing deals
• Strong networker able to manage a large number of external relationships.
• Ability to work cross-functionally, navigate large complex organizations and manage a high number of senior internal customers.
• Proven ability to understand and clearly communicate complex and technical topics simply and succinctly.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• National experience and track record of achievements
• Strategic planning and health policy experience
• Ability to review clinical and health economic literature, including disease state information, clinical trial design and results, and pharmacoeconomic studies to understand implications for payers
• Proven appreciation for cultural diversity
• Mature business person who has experience in delivering on political access for pharmaceuticals in the country
• Savvy outlook including deep understanding of government policy, commercial and business issues in the region gained from years of proven experience.
• Excellent communication skills, including interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and succeed in a highly matrixed environment.
• Strong oral/written presentation skills.
• Strong strategic planning skills—both at the product and country (cross-portfolio) levels.
• Ability to conduct situation analysis of external environment and synthesize relevant information for business strategies and support development of country-specific strategic plans.