Director, National Payer Accounts

Cogent Biosciences, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 240,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock awards

Medical/dental/vision coverage

401(k) match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Cogent Biosciences, Inc. seeks a Director, National Payer Accounts to lead profitable coverage access with government accounts and regional plans. You will collaborate across Market Access, Marketing, Commercial Operations, Sales, and Medical to align with major customers and optimize patient and provider experiences.

You will develop account plans, monitor insurers, and drive negotiations while guiding field teams on access opportunities and brand strategy in the payer landscape.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 10 years in pharmaceutical industry with first line sales management experience preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience with government accounts and key regional payer accounts with rare disease, hematology, and oncology experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver clinical value and negotiate contracts with national accounts.

Responsibilities

• Execute customer strategy aligned with product and organizational goals.
• Lead interactions with key strategic accounts and manage payer relationships.
• Develop and execute market access plans to maximize access and profitability.
• Provide education and coaching to field colleagues on access opportunities.

Skills

Sales leadership

Payer strategy

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Who We Are:

Cogent Biosciences is a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on developing novel precision therapies to treat a broad range of patients with unmet medical needs. Cogent’s lead program, bezuclastinib, is designed to selectively and potently inhibit exon 17 mutations found within the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase, including KIT D816V. KIT D816V is responsible for driving a rare and serious condition called Systemic Mastocytosis, and exon 17 mutations are also found in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a type of cancer with strong dependence on oncogenic KIT signaling. Bezuclastinib has exhibited promising initial data across all three trials: APEX in AdvSM, SUMMIT in NonAdvSM and PEAK in GIST, including an encouraging safety profile across 600+ patients in single agent and combination dosing.

The Role:

Position Overview:

• The Director, National Payer Accounts, is responsible for ensuring profitable coverage access with government accounts and key regional plans.
• Supporting execution of the Market Access objectives and strategy for the payer audience.
• Collaborating with internal partners but not limited to Market Access, Marketing, Commercial Operations, Sales and Medical to align approaches with our largest customers to ensure the best patient and provider experience.

Responsibilities:

• Execute specific customer strategy as it aligns with the overall product and organizational goals.
• Deliver the value of our products, services and the Cogent organization by managing interactions with all customer stakeholders.
• Develop and execute corporate strategies customized to the market access payer environment to help Cogent maximize its access and profitability.
• Lead all interactions with key strategic accounts.
• Monitor developments among government and private insurers/entities to support the Market Access strategies that will enable Cogent to anticipate and respond to market events.
• Develop, maintain, and build relationships with account senior management and decision makers.
• Monitor formulary and product access if applicable.
• Responsible for the development of the account plan and participate in business reviews.
• Provides subject matter expertise of the payer accounts to support and influence the development of the broader sales and marketing strategy.
• Execute brand strategy customized to the market access business environment to help Cogent maximize its access and profitability.
• Provide education and coaching to field colleagues on opportunities and/or overcome access challenges.
• Represent Cogent at key national and regional conferences
• Demonstrates a hands‑on, result‑oriented mindset, with flexibility and willingness to support others as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of 10 years in pharmaceutical industry with documented track record of success and first line sales management experience preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience with government accounts and key regional payer accounts with rare disease, hematology, and oncology experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver on “clinical value first” and/or scientific product‑related information to key stakeholders within key national accounts.
• Consistent track record of ensuring payer coverage and where needed, deliver on successful contract negotiation.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, analyze sales and payer data, demonstrated proficiency in contracting or negotiations across all key government payer customers and business segments (i.e. Commercial and Medicare).
• Strong business acumen includes persuasive business communication and presentation skills to both the external and internal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize, exhibit business judgment and identify opportunities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, with the ability to create professional documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.
• Excellent collaboration and ability to work cross functionally.

Salary Range:

$240,000 to $275,000 USD

Target Bonus: 20%

Exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Our Locations

Waltham, MA: Ourheadquarters is located in the GreaterBostonlife sciencescommunity, withan open, collaborative office environment designedto support teamwork and connection. Employeesbenefitfrom convenient on‑site amenities, including freeon‑site parking and gym facilities in the building.

Boulder, CO:Our Boulder location is home toCogent’sdiscovery research organization and a key scientific hub with strong leadershipbased on site. Situated in the greater Denver-Boulderbiopharmaceutical corridor, this office playsa central rolein advancing our discovery efforts andpipeline.

Our OfferToYou

At Cogent Biosciences, we offer a competitive salary, bonus, and ongoing stock awards, alongside a benefits package thatsets us apart.We cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and your family,andhelpreduceout-of-pocket costs by funding up to 75% of in‑network deductibles.Our benefits also includea 401(k) match with immediate vesting,generous paid time off,12 weeksof fully paid parental leave, paidfamilyand medical leave for all employees regardless of location, and company-paid short-term disability coverage for up to20 weeks.Additionalperkslikewellnessprograms, tuition reimbursement, and inclusive family-forming support help you thrive at work and beyond.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to have a diverse workforce.We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and businessneed.