Senior Director, Head of US Strategic Account Engagement

We’re here for one reason and one reason only – to cure cancer. Every moment is dedicated to developing treatments and every action moves us one step closer to our goal. We’ve made incredible scientific breakthroughs and our pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies have changed the paradigm. But we're not finished yet.

Join Kite, as we make even bigger advances in cancer therapies, and help shape where our business and medical science goes next.

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Kite and help create more tomorrows.

Job Description

The Head of US Strategic Account Management reports to the Head of US Market Access and is a senior leader on the US Market Access Leadership Team responsible for shaping and executing Kite’s strategic approach to account management across prioritized national and regional payers, community oncology networks, and authorized treatment centers (ATCs). This role is accountable for leading a high-performing team focused on expanding patient access to CAR-T therapies, driving innovative engagement strategies, and building sustainable partnerships with key healthcare decision makers. The Head of US Strategic Account Management will influence national strategy, guide cross-functional alignment, and build organizational capabilities to support commercial success and patient access.

This is a newly created role that will help us design and build out a revised and comprehensive account management function within the US organization at Kite. This position can be based out of our Santa Monica, CA Headquarters or can be a remote position with frequent travel expectations.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership

• Develop and refine Kite’s US Strategic Account Management strategy, ensuring alignment with overall US Market Access and commercial objectives

• Lead the execution of account management strategies across national and regional payers, community oncology networks, and ATCs, focusing on expanding patient access to CAR-T therapies and removing barriers such as third-party accreditation requirements

• Guide the team in developing and executing strategic plans for their respective accounts and geographies

• Serve as a strategic advisor to US Market Access and executive leadership on account trends, payer/provider engagement, and network expansion opportunities

• Build and shape strategic relationships with executive leadership across payer, provider, and ATC segments, including C-suite and D-suite executives, P&T committee members, and other key decision makers

Team Leadership & Organizational Capability

• Build and lead a high-performing team; ensure clear account plans, thoughtful and frequent key customer engagement, and appropriate resource development and allocation

• Oversee recruitment, training, development, and performance management for the Strategic Account Management team

• Champion a high-performance culture, fostering collaboration, innovation, and strategic thinking across the team and broader US Market Access organization

• Maintain accountability for all Strategic Account Management budget allocations, spend, invoice submission, and budget neutrality

Account Management & Engagement

• Oversee the development and execution of strategic plans and tactics with business leaders and executives at assigned accounts, including national and regional payers, community oncology networks, and ATCs

• Drive and oversee engagement with C-suite and D-suite executives, P&T committee members, and other key healthcare and formulary decision makers to maximize access and increase CAR-T class share

• Support team in working with payers to expand patient access to CAR-T through expansion of ATC networks and centers of excellence, removal of third-party accreditation requirements, and other innovative strategies

• Guide National Account Directors in establishing and leading Kite’s vision, strategy, and overall business relationship with assigned community oncology accounts, including McKesson/US Oncology and Cencora/ION

• Oversee contracting opportunities, negotiations, and contract term discussions across assigned accounts and geographies

• Ensure delivery of financial and reimbursement education to assigned accounts and support resolution of acute patient reimbursement challenges

Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives

• Drive strategic partnerships and corporate initiatives between Kite and assigned customers, including EMR integration, sponsorships, population health analyses, data agreements, integrated care delivery models, and value-based partnerships

• Support practice-level access for Kite CTAMs and other team members

• Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives that shape Kite’s access strategy and commercial readiness

Data, Analytics & Performance

• Oversee performance reviews, QBRs, contract reviews, and business development strategy for assigned accounts

• Partner with internal stakeholders to evaluate performance of assigned ATCs, potential site expansion opportunities, referral patterns, and overall business development strategy

• Support financial modeling for sophisticated sites on growth initiatives and outpatient opportunities

Basic Qualifications

• Advanced scientific degree (i.e., MD, PharmD, PhD) and 12+ years of experience OR

• Master’s Degree and 12+ years of experience OR

• Bachelor’s Degree and 14+ years of experience

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of pharmaceutical or biotech experience in account management, market access, policy, and/or commercial customer-facing roles

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence decision making, strategy, and execution across partners and functions

• Deep strategic experience leading change-based initiatives, home office functional teams, and/or marketing & strategy projects

• Extensive understanding of the reimbursement landscape for CAR-T and the complexities of payer/provider engagement

• Strong negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to address customer needs with payers and providers

• Strong proficiency in critical thinking, project management, communication/presentation, and arbitration/influencing skills

• Demonstrated proficiency in oncology clinical science with strong clinical outcomes and health economic data fluency

• Strong financial management and business acumen

• Experience managing products covered under medical benefit in inpatient/outpatient settings

• Validated understanding of customer segments and regional market dynamics within oncology

• Demonstrated understanding of innovative payment models and market access strategies that can address payer needs and overcome market barriers

• Strong leadership skills, proven ability to execute on additional roles beyond core responsibilities

 

The salary range for this position is: $237,575.00 - $307,450.00. Kite considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid, long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune system's ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica, CA. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com. Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kitepharma.
 

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Kite Pharma is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Kite Pharma will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the  legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.
 

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.

Kite Pharma provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Kite Pharma Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.