Director, Market Access & Government Affairs

Cochlear; Lone Tree (CO); On-site; USD 190,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Cochlear, a global leader in implantable hearing solutions, seeks a Director of Market Access & Government Affairs to expand patient access and strengthen reimbursement across the US and Canada. You will shape policy, engage payers, code and payment initiatives, and lead cross-functional collaboration with commercial, clinical, regulatory, and health economics teams.

You will build a high-performing Market Access unit, oversee payer engagement, and advance Cochlear’s mission by removing access

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in law, public policy, public health, business, economics, or life sciences strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years in government affairs, public policy, market access, or reimbursement advocacy within healthcare, medical devices, or pharma.
• Ability to influence policy and drive reimbursement strategies for innovative medical technologies.
• Understanding of U.S. and Canadian healthcare systems and policy dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead government affairs strategy at federal, state, and local levels.
• Lead reimbursement strategy including coding, Medicare policy, and hospital/ASC reimbursement.
• Strategic planning for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers.
• Identify barriers and develop solutions to improve access.
• Analyze healthcare policy trends to drive favorable conditions for adoption.
• Integrate health economic models into reimbursement and market access strategies.
• Lead federal and state government affairs to support patient access.
• Build and lead a high-performing Market Access team.

Skills

Market access

Government affairs

Reimbursement strategy

Policy engagement

Stakeholder management

Healthcare systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced degree in related field

Job description

Director, Market Access & Government Affairs

Change people's lives and love what you do at Cochlear, the most recognized brand in hearing health care, helping people hear and be heard around the world, while being part of one of Denver Business Journal's 2026 Best Places to Work honorees in Denver. If you have experience leading reimbursement, market access, government affairs, or health policy initiatives within the medical device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or healthcare industries, this is a unique opportunity to help expand access to life-changing hearing implant technologies at the global leader in implantable hearing solutions.

About the role

The Director, Market Access & Government Affairs is responsible for developing and executing strategies that expand patient access, strengthen reimbursement, influence health policy, and support the successful adoption of Cochlear's current and future product portfolio. Serving as a strategic partner across commercial, clinical, regulatory, medical affairs, and health economics teams, this leader will oversee reimbursement strategy, payer engagement, coding and payment initiatives, government affairs activities, and market access planning across the United States and Canada.

In this role, you will lead efforts to remove reimbursement and access barriers, shape coverage and payment strategies across Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers, and drive policy initiatives that improve access to hearing implant technologies. You will also lead and develop a high-performing Market Access team while building relationships with payers, policymakers, professional societies, advocacy organizations, and healthcare providers to advance Cochlear's mission and support long-term business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the organization's government affairs strategy to engage policymakers and regulatory bodies at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Lead reimbursement strategy including; HCPCS and CPT coding, Medicare payment policy, Coverage strategy, Hospital and ASC reimbursement, and DMEPOS.
• Lead strategic planning for reimbursement across Medicare, Medicaid, commercial payers, and integrated delivery networks.
• Identify reimbursement, policy, and access barriers and develop solutions to overcome them.
• Analyze and influence healthcare policy trends to drive favorable conditions for the adoption and reimbursement of the company's products.
• Oversee the integration of health economic models and analyses into reimbursement and market access strategies.
• Lead government affairs efforts at the Federal and State level to ensure policy supports patient access.
• Build and lead a high-performing Market Access team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required; advanced degree in law, public policy, public health, business, economics, or life sciences strongly preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, market access, or reimbursement advocacy roles within the healthcare, medical device, or pharmaceutical sectors
• Demonstrated ability to influence policy and drive reimbursement strategies for innovative medical technologies.
• In-depth understanding of U.S. and Canadian healthcare systems, reimbursement frameworks, and policy dynamics.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful programs for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to analyze and synthesize multiple data sources, market research, VOC and performance metrics to drive decision-making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, comfortable presenting and facilitating.
• Skilled at influencing and operating within a heavily matrixed environment.
• Proven expertise in medical education and KOL engagement.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and project management skills.
• Able to travel up to 25%.

Total Rewards

In addition to the opportunity to develop your knowledge and grow professionally, we offer competitive wages and benefits.

• Pay Range in the United States: $190,000 - $200,000 based upon experience, as well as an annual bonus opportunity of 20% of base salary. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.
• Benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance as well as 401(K) matching with immediate vesting, Paid Time Off, tuition reimbursement, maternity and paternity leave, Employee Stock Purchase Plan and pet insurance.

Who are we?

Human needs have always been our inspiration, ever since Professor Graeme Clark set out to create the first multi-channel cochlear implant because he saw his father struggle with hearing loss. We always start with people in mind - thinking about their needs.

For this reason, our products, services and support will continue to evolve and improve. We are by our customers' side through the entire hearing journey, so they can experience a life full of hearing. Our employees tell us that the number one reason they enjoy working for Cochlear is the opportunity to make a difference to people's lives and working in an organization where they can be part of bringing the mission to life each day.

Physical & Mental Demands

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to be in a stationary (seated/standing) position; utilize business technology for work product delivery, communicate orally and in writing with others internal or external to the organization, utilize problem solving/critical thinking skills to discern and convey information. May be asked to occasionally transport/move up to 30 pounds, depending on the position. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus. The individual is regularly required to utilize comprehension, critical thinking, communication, problem solving, organization reasoning, relating to others and discernment of items such as product specifications, procedures and processes to customers (whether internal or external). Influence, organization/classification of information and planning are also required.

The work environment is a home/office environment. This is representative of the environment an individual may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.

Application deadline

November 8, 2026

Cochlear Americas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation with completing the online application, please contact us via web or phone at 303-264-2549.