Director, Contract Operations
Ascendis Pharma
full-time
Posted on:
Location: 🇺🇸 United States
Visit company websiteJob Level
Lead
Tech Stack
ERPOracle
About the role
- Implement market access pricing and contracting strategies for Endocrinology Rare Disease portfolio, focusing on anticipated hypoparathyroidism launch
- Oversee contracting operations: manage and implement contracts, pricing agreements, and rebate programs with providers, payers, wholesalers, and PBMs
- Develop and maintain metrics, KPIs, and dashboards to monitor contract performance, pricing trends, and rebate liabilities; generate reports for senior management
- Manage state price transparency requirements, price notifications, compendia communications, HPMS and SAM.gov reporting and registrations
- Oversee purchase order and vendor invoice validation, collaborate with Finance to track spending and manage accruals; input to yearly budget
- Lead contract lifecycle management from negotiation and execution to renewal and termination; ensure compliance with policies and regulations
- Coordinate implementation with Finance, Legal, IT, and vendors to operationalize pricing strategies within revenue management systems
- Oversee rebate administration (government, managed care, commercial), ensure accurate calculation, timely payment, reconciliation, and dispute resolution
- Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders; serve as trusted advisor on contracting and pricing matters
- Identify and implement process improvements, manage data validation, adjudicate rebate and formulary validations before payment deadlines
- Ensure compliance and develop controls to mitigate risks related to pricing, contracting, and rebate administration
- Manage and develop team; report directly to Senior Director, Pricing and Contracting Strategy; hybrid role based in Princeton, NJ (3 days/week)
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Healthcare Management, or related field (Advanced degree e.g., MBA preferred)
- Minimum of 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical contracting, pricing, or market access, with focus on contract management and operations
- Strong understanding of pharmaceutical pricing dynamics, reimbursement models, and contracting strategies across payer segments (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid)
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in contract management systems (e.g., Salesforce CPQ, Model N, iCyte), ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, D365), and Microsoft Excel
- Leadership experience with ability to lead and develop a high-performing team
- Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards relevant to pharmaceutical contracting, pricing, and rebate programs
- Experience managing contract drafts, redlines, approvals, and negotiating contractual terms
- In-depth knowledge of claims processing, formulary validation processing, and dispute resolution processes