Associate Director- Market Access (Health)

VML; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Associate Director to lead market access initiatives in a dynamic healthcare environment. This role offers the opportunity to drive strategic leadership for key accounts and contribute to innovative solutions that enhance patient engagement and value-based development. With a focus on collaboration and creativity, you will work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful results. Join a forward-thinking organization that values diversity and fosters a culture of respect, where your expertise can make a significant difference in the healthcare landscape.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Health insurance

Professional development opportunities

Employee wellness programs

Company events

Remote work options

Pension scheme

Work-life balance initiatives

Qualifications

• 8-10 years in market access consulting or pharma.
• Strong understanding of UK and EU health systems.
• Experience leading HTA submissions and project management.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and strategic leadership for key accounts.
• Shape and deliver effective content and programs.
• Mentor and manage junior team members.

Skills

Market Access Consulting

Pharmaceutical Industry Knowledge

Evidence Synthesis

Clinical Data Interpretation

Project Management

Negotiation Skills

Education

Degree in Life Sciences

MBA or Equivalent

Tools

Excel/VBA

SAS

Python

R

TreeAge

Job description

Associate Director- Market Access (Health)

Join to apply for the Associate Director- Market Access (Health) role at VML.

About Us

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

VML HEALTH is a global healthcare agency with a vision to make the world of health human-centric with connected brands. VML HEALTH has offices across the world & three global healthcare hubs in London, New York, & Milan. VML Health is a WPP company.

The Medical Consulting team supports organisations to achieve more effective decision making through a focus on early and cross functional working, enhanced focus on patient engagement, and integrated planning and execution of value-based development, commercialisation projects and disease leadership programmes. We run a variety of global accounts involving close collaboration with our creative, digital, medical education, and marketing teams to bring creative solutions for clients as they move forward in development and launch of their assets.

This role is based in our London office with close collaboration across our core hubs and domestic teams.

In the last year, VML Health London has delivered a variety of projects, ranging from supporting scientific advice procedures, payer advisory boards and negotiation workshops to delivering SLRs, GVD & AMCP dossiers, differentiation materials, cost effectiveness and budget impact models and HTA submissions across many therapy areas including Rare Diseases, Oncology, Immunology and Haematology.

About The Role

We are looking for an Associate Director, reporting to the VP Market Access, to provide technical and strategic leadership for key accounts and to help expand the offering and build the practice. We need someone with a strong life sciences background who understands the nuances of clinical data and can articulate evidence for a Payer audience.

Working with senior account leads, you will shape, develop and deliver effective content and programmes that meet client objectives, budgets, and timelines. In addition, you will contribute to the development of the HEOR and HTA offering, leading on business development initiatives including proposal writing and pitching, as well as mentoring and line managing junior members of the team.

Requirements

Associate Directors should have at least 8-10 years' experience in a market access consulting or pharma industry setting, such that they are able to demonstrate:

• In-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, and ability to relate scientific understanding to a client's strategic needs
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the health and social care systems and reimbursement of technologies in the UK, EU and U.S. Experience in LatAm and AsiaPac markets would also be beneficial
• Aptitude for evidence synthesis, writing payer materials and visualising and communicating complex clinical data, adapted for a range of different audiences
• Experience in interpreting clinical research studies, including patient-reported outcomes (PRO), indirect treatment comparisons, and real-world evidence (RWE)
• A track record of leading HTA submissions and working with client affiliates to optimise local execution, specifically:
• Experience of leading a team to develop cost-effectiveness and budget impact models
• Experience of leading a team to undertake SLR/metanalysis
• Experience of developing innovative contracting strategies for pharma clients would be beneficial
• Strong leadership and role model behaviours
• Proven ability to budget, project manage and work well in a busy, deadline-driven, multi-agency environment
• Business development track record as well as negotiation and facilitation skills
• Experience using appropriate tools e.g., Excel/VBA, TreeAge, SAS, Python or R would be advantageous

Personal Characteristics

• Planning resources and time efficiently
• Client image and style awareness
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Excellent attention to detail
• Enthusiastic and motivated

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

VML (WPP) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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