Director/Sr. Director, National Accounts

Director/Senior Director, National Accounts
At Achieve Life Sciences, you’ll help secure broad patient access for cytisinicline, an innovative treatment in development for nicotine dependence. As we prepare for the potential U.S. launch of cytisinicline, we’re building a lean, experienced Market Access team that will shape how we partner with the largest PBMs, GPOs, and payers in the country.
Reporting to the VP, Market Access, the Director/Senior Director, National Accounts will own Achieve’s relationship with a single major PBM, GPO, or payer account and its relevant downstream partners, such as CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, Optum Rx, or Medicaid and Humana. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who can build the account plan, lead contract negotiations, and drive pull-through, with placement at the Director or Senior Director level based on scope, depth, and leadership experience.
What You’ll Do
Own the Account: Serve as Achieve’s primary contact for your PBM, GPO, or payer across trade relations, clinical, formulary, and contracting teams. Build trusted relationships with pharmacy directors, medical directors, and contracting leads before and after launch.
Monitor the Access Landscape: Track P&T timing, formulary decisions, utilization management, and policy changes, and flag risks and opportunities early.
Lead Pre-Launch Engagement: Run pre-launch account engagement, including clinical and economic presentations to support formulary review.
Negotiate Contracts: Lead rebate agreement negotiations, renewals, and amendments with the PBM and its aggregator, in partnership with the VP, Market Access and Legal.
Ground Deals in Gross-to-Net: Model deal scenarios with Pricing, Contracting, and Finance so every offer is grounded in gross-to-net impact.
Ensure Compliance: Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Government Pricing to keep each agreement compliant, including with Medicaid Best Price requirements.
Plan & Report: Build an annual account plan with clear access goals and pull-through tactics. Report coverage, access, and contract performance against launch targets.
Manage Contract Performance: Monitor contract compliance and resolve access barriers quickly.
Shape the Value Story: Partner with HEOR and Medical Affairs on a strong, compliant value story, including the AMCP dossier.
Drive Pull-Through: Work with Trade, Patient Services, and field teams so formulary wins translate into filled prescriptions.
Collaborate Across Accounts: Share insights with fellow National Account Directors to keep Achieve’s approach consistent across customers.
Lead Complex Accounts (Senior Director): Own the most critical and complex account, with the highest contract value and the most downstream partners, and lead negotiations with a high degree of autonomy within Achieve’s contracting guardrails.
Shape Strategy & Develop Others (Senior Director): Help set Market Access strategy, mentor other National Account Directors, brief senior leadership on payer strategy, risks, and opportunities, and represent Achieve with payer executives.
What You’ll Bring
Bachelor’s degree in business, life sciences, or a related field.
Direct experience managing CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, or Optum Rx.
A track record of negotiating PBM rebate contracts end to end, with a solid understanding of formulary strategy, rebate structures, and gross-to-net.
Working knowledge of government pricing rules, including Medicaid Best Price.
Clear, confident communication with payer executives and internal leadership.
Director Qualifications
10+ years of biopharmaceutical experience in market access, national account management, or payer contracting.
Demonstrated ownership of a payer or PBM account and its contracts, with measurable results.
Senior Director Qualifications
12+ years of biopharmaceutical experience in market access, national account management, or payer contracting (or 10+ years with a master’s degree).
Experience leading negotiations on a major national PBM or GPO contract that delivered strong formulary access.
Established relationships with payer executives at the target account.
Experience mentoring peers, leading cross-functional teams, and shaping account-planning or contracting strategy beyond a single account.
Preferred Qualifications
MBA or other advanced degree.
Launch experience, ideally with a primary care or retail pharmacy brand.
Experience building commercial capabilities at a small or early-stage company.
Background in smoking cessation, addiction, or other primary care markets.
Existing relationships with PBM aggregators or GPOs, such as Zinc Health Services, Ascent Health Services, or Emisar Pharma Services.
Residence near your account’s headquarters or a major airport.
Who We Are
At Achieve, we are committed to bringing medicines forward that contribute to a healthier world. Achieve is a specialty pharmaceutical company committed to advancing cytisinicline as a widely available treatment option to help people battling nicotine dependence.
If you enjoy working in a dynamic team environment and are passionate about making a difference, we invite you to apply. We strive to attract, develop, and retain highly qualified individuals representing the diverse communities we serve.
Compensation
The anticipated base salary range for this position is:
Director: $230,000–$250,000 USD annually
Senior Director: $250,000–$290,000 USD annually
These ranges represent a good-faith estimate of what Achieve reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of hire. Final level and compensation will be determined based on factors including relevant experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. Both levels are also eligible for an annual target bonus and equity compensation as determined by the Company’s compensation committee.
Benefits
Achieve offers a comprehensive benefits package, which currently includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; company-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage; and paid time off and paid company holidays.
Location & Travel
This is a remote position, and candidates may reside anywhere in the continental United States. This role may require travel of up to 50%, including overnight travel, for customer meetings, conferences, company meetings, and other business needs.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Achieve Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [email protected].