Senior Director, Market Access Spain & Portugal

At Cytokinetics, each team member plays an integral part in advancing our mission to improve the lives of patients. We are seeking tenacious, compassionate, and collaborative individuals who are driven to make a positive impact.

As a key leader in the Market Access and Pricing function, the Head of Market Access for Spain and Portugal will drive the strategy, planning, and execution of market access initiatives to support the successful launch of Aficamten in 2026. Reporting to the General Manager for the territory with a dotted line to the Head of Market Access Europe, this role will focus on achieving optimal pricing and reimbursement outcomes while ensuring patients have timely access to Aficamten. This role demands strong cross-functional collaboration with medical affairs, commercial.

As the Head of Market Access for Spain and Portugal, you will lead and execute strategies that ensure optimal market access, pricing, and reimbursement to support the successful launch of Aficamten across the cluster. Additionally, you will develop and implement comprehensive external engagement initiatives to build trust with key stakeholders, including payers, policymakers, and health authorities, while fostering a favorable policy environment.

This position requires strategic vision, excellent cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to influence external decision-making to secure timely and equitable patient access to innovative therapies.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Develop and implement national market access strategies tailored to the Spanish and Portuguese healthcare systems, ensuring alignment with the European Market Access Plan.
• Lead the development of value propositions and evidence packages to support favorable Health Technology Assessment (HTA) outcomes and reimbursement decisions with bodies such as AEMPS and MoH in Spain, INFARMED in Portugal.
• Pricing responsibilities will include pricing assumptions and scenarios for business review and development for the Regional & Global Pricing committee when needed
• Oversee the planning and execution of pre-launch and launch market access activities. Drive successful launch readiness activities, including reimbursement and pricing negotiations with key stakeholders.
• Develop and implement regional and hospital market access strategies tailored to each healthcare system in every region in Spain.
• Monitor and adapt strategies based on changing healthcare systems and regulatory landscapes and implement to minimize price reductions or price reference range

Stakeholder Engagement

• Establish and nurture relationships with key external stakeholders, including payers, policymakers, HTA bodies, and other decision-makers across Spain and Portugal.
• Represent the company at national and regional payer advisory boards, industry associations and working groups.
• Act as a company spokesperson during strategic engagements with payers and policymakers, ensuring alignment of market access narratives across all geographies.

External Engagement & Government Affairs

• Develop and implement external engagement strategies to address policy and regulatory challenges specific to Spain and Portugal.
• Actively monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting the pharmaceutical industry, providing recommendations to adapt the company’s strategies.
• Engage with government bodies, trade associations, and patient advocacy groups to advocate for innovation-friendly policies and equitable access to healthcare.
• Enhance the company’s reputation by positioning it as a trusted partner within the healthcare ecosystem in both Spain and Portugal.

Evidence Generation and Communication:

• Collaborate with HEOR to design and execute real-world evidence and economic models addressing national and regional payer requirements.
• Ensure clinical and economic evidence is effectively communicated through local adaptations of global dossiers and presentations to HTA and payer audiences.
• Review and provide input into country-specific reimbursement submissions and supporting materials.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Medical Affairs, HEOR, and Commercial teams to align access strategies and messaging local, EU and global levels.
• Partner with the General Manager Spain and Portugal to define and execute country-specific goals and strategies.
• Support internal training and knowledge sharing on market access topics for local teams.

Operational Oversight:

• Manage local market access budgets and allocate resources effectively to meet strategic priorities.
• Monitor and report on the regulatory, reimbursement, and competitive landscape to inform strategic decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with all local and global regulatory and ethical guidelines in all market access activities.
• Ensure pipeline products are appropriately included in country level horizon scanning processes.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in health economics, public health, life sciences, or a related field; MBA or equivalent preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in market access, pricing, or health economics roles within the pharmaceutical industry and regional or national payers, with significant experience in the Spanish market.
• Demonstrated expertise in navigating complex healthcare systems, including HTA processes and payer negotiations in Spain and Portugal.
• Experience in public affairs and government relations in Spain and Portugal
• Proven ability to manage external stakeholder networks.

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