National Account Director

Remote; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Capricor Therapeutics is seeking a National Account Director to own payer access and coverage strategy for national and regional payers, PBMs, and IDNs for Deramiocel. The role partners with Market Access, Medical Affairs, HEOR, Sales, and Patient Advocacy to translate the value proposition into coverage decisions for a high-cost, rare-disease cell therapy.

The position requires 10+ years in biotech/pharma market access with 5+ years in a senior payer-facing role, and established relationships

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA, PharmD, MPH, or related) preferred.
• 10+ years of biotech / pharma U.S. Market Access experience, including 5+ years in a National Account Director or equivalent senior payer-facing role.
• Demonstrated success securing coverage for high-cost specialty, rare disease, or cell / gene therapy products in the medical-benefit channel.
• Established senior-level relationships across national and regional commercial payers, PBMs, Medicaid plans, Medicare / MACs and IDNs.
• Working knowledge of buy-and-bill economics, specialty pharmacy distribution, J-code / HCPCS coding, prior authorization workflows, and medical policy development.
• Strong analytical skills, including HEOR, budget impact, and value-based contracting models.
• Executive presence and ability to operate independently across senior external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own the access and coverage strategy for an assigned set of national and regional payers, PBMs, and IDN accounts; develop and execute account-specific business plans aligned with Capricor's launch and access objectives.
• Lead value-based clinical, HEOR, and budget-impact discussions with medical directors, pharmacy directors, P&T committees, and policy teams to drive timely and appropriate medical policy positions.
• Navigate the buy-and-bill, medical-benefit, and specialty-pharmacy access pathways unique to infused cell therapies.
• Partner with the Market Access Leadership team on Pricing & Contracting appropriate to a rare-disease, cell therapy economics profile.
• Lead account-level negotiations on coverage, coding, utilization management, and contracting in coordination with Market Access leadership.
• Build and maintain trusted senior-level relationships with payer leadership across assigned accounts.
• Deliver compelling, compliant clinical, economic, and patient-centered presentations using AMCP dossiers, value decks, and approved access materials.
• Monitor coverage decisions, medical policy changes, and utilization management positions across assigned accounts; flag risks and opportunities in real time.
• Payer account profiling, business plan creation, and strategic execution with top payer / customer accounts.
• Establish access goals, productivity measures, and ensure account plans are created and executed annually.
• Partner with Trade & Patient Services to ensure smooth coverage navigation, prior authorization, and case management for patients in the assigned geography.
• Partner with Sales, Medical Affairs, and MSLs to align account-level engagement with broader commercial and scientific activities, in full compliance with channel and engagement rules.
• Provide structured payer intelligence and account insights back to Market Access leadership to inform pricing, contracting, and strategic positioning.
• Maintain accurate account plans, CRM activity, and reporting cadence; participate in business reviews and launch readiness forums.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Job description

Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing transformative cell and exosome-based therapies for rare diseases. At the forefront of our innovation is Deramiocel (CAP-1002), our lead cell therapy in late-stage development for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We are also harnessing our proprietary StealthX exosome platform to unlock new possibilities in targeted delivery and vaccinology. Every program reflects our commitment to pushing the boundaries of science and delivering life-changing treatments to patients and families who need them most.

The National Account Director will own payer access and coverage strategy for assigned national and regional commercial payers, PBMs, Medicaid plans, Medicare, and integrated delivery networks. This is a field-based role responsible for securing appropriate coverage and reimbursement for Deramiocel, Capricor's lead cell therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This individual will partner closely with Market Access leadership, Trade & Patient Services, Medical Affairs, HEOR, Sales, and Patient Advocacy to translate the Deramiocel value proposition into coverage decisions, medical policy positions that support timely, equitable patient access in a high-cost, rare-disease, medical-benefit market. The position will engage senior payer decision-makers, deliver compelling clinical and economic value stories, navigate medical-benefit dynamics unique to infused cell therapies, and feed payer intelligence back into Capricor's launch and access strategy.

Responsibilities

• Own the access and coverage strategy for an assigned set of national and regional payers, PBMs, and IDN accounts; develop and execute account-specific business plans aligned with Capricor's launch and access objectives.
• Lead value-based clinical, HEOR, and budget-impact discussions with medical directors, pharmacy directors, P&T committees, and policy teams to drive timely and appropriate medical policy positions.
• Navigate the buy-and-bill, medical-benefit, and specialty-pharmacy access pathways unique to infused cell therapies.
• Partner with the Market Access Leadership team on Pricing & Contracting appropriate to a rare-disease, cell therapy economics profile.
• Lead account-level negotiations on coverage, coding, utilization management, and contracting in coordination with Market Access leadership.
• Build and maintain trusted senior-level relationships with payer leadership across assigned accounts.
• Deliver compelling, compliant clinical, economic, and patient-centered presentations using AMCP dossiers, value decks, and approved access materials.
• Monitor coverage decisions, medical policy changes, and utilization management positions across assigned accounts; flag risks and opportunities in real time.
• Payer account (government & commercial) profiling, business plan creation, and strategic execution with top payer / customer accounts.
• Establish access goals, productivity measures, and ensure account plans are created and executed annually.
• Partner with Trade & Patient Services to ensure smooth coverage navigation, prior authorization, and case management for patients in the assigned geography.
• Partner with Sales, Medical Affairs, and MSLs to align account-level engagement with broader commercial and scientific activities, in full compliance with channel and engagement rules.
• Provide structured payer intelligence and account insights back to Market Access leadership to inform pricing, contracting, and strategic positioning.
• Maintain accurate account plans, CRM activity, and reporting cadence; participate in business reviews and launch readiness forums.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA, PharmD, MPH, or related) preferred.
• 10+ years of biotech / pharma U.S. Market Access experience, including 5+ years in a National Account Director or equivalent senior payer-facing role.
• Demonstrated success securing coverage for high-cost specialty, rare disease, or cell / gene therapy products in the medical-benefit channel.
• Established senior-level relationships across national and regional commercial payers, PBMs, Medicaid plans, Medicare / MACs and IDNs.
• Working knowledge of buy-and-bill economics, specialty pharmacy distribution, J-code / HCPCS coding, prior authorization workflows, and medical policy development.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret HEOR, budget impact, and value-based contracting models.
• Executive presence and the ability to operate independently across senior external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting a U.S. product launch in rare disease or advanced therapy.
• Experience working with State and Managed Medicaid plans.
• Prior cell or gene therapy payer engagement experience.
• Experience operating in a pre-commercial or early commercial company with limited infrastructure.

Core Competencies

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Vendor management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly scaling environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and documentation discipline.
• Ability to influence without authority across cross-functional teams.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Field-based (remote) position based in or near the assigned territory; territory geography determined at time of hire.
• Domestic travel approximately 50 to 75% for payer engagement, internal meetings, and industry conferences (AMCP, Asembia, PCMA).
• Periodic presence at Capricor's San Diego HQ (approximately 2 to 3 times per quarter) or as required by business need.

Compensation and Benefits

The posted salary range represents Capricor's good-faith estimate of the salary range reasonably expected to be paid for this position at the time of hire. Final compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, education, skills, certifications, scope of role, location, and internal equity.

This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus and, depending on the level of the role, long-term equity incentive awards in accordance with company policy.

Capricor Therapeutics offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage; company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; a 401(k) plan with company match; paid time off and company holidays; and paid parental leave. Additional voluntary benefits and wellness programs may also be available.

Why Capricor?

Capricor Therapeutics is advancing cell and exosome-based therapies with a focus on serious diseases where patients and families need new treatment options. Our work is grounded in scientific rigor, collaboration, and a shared commitment to moving meaningful therapies forward. Joining Capricor means being part of a mission-driven team working at the intersection of innovation, execution, and patient impact.

Come Work With Us

At Capricor, you’ll join a collaborative environment where employees are encouraged to contribute, grow, and help build the systems, science, and operations needed to support our next stage of growth. We value people who are thoughtful, accountable, hands-on, and motivated by work that can make a real difference.