Associate Director, Kaiser Permanente

Lactation - Field-based, US - California
*Must be based in California

At AstraZeneca, we're focused on turning innovative science into life-changing medicines and making them accessible to patients worldwide. The Director, Contract Operations for Utilization Based Contracts, will oversee the full cycle of Market Access contract operations, from contract development and execution through to claims administration and rebate payment processing. They will lead a team of Contract Operations analyst/managers shaping strategy, ensuring compliance, driving operational excellence, and champion adoption and on-going use of AI-enabled solutions to support accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of contract obligations. This leader partners cross-functionally to inform business decisions and maintains the highest standard of contract and claims operations.

The Associate Director of Kaiser Permanente integrates pull-through execution, stakeholder advocacy, and demand generation to ensure optimal patient access and brand performance.

The Kaiser Associate Director role is a strategic field-based leader responsible for driving product access, utilization, and demand across Kaiser Permanente. This role serves as a key connector between internal teams and external influencers, aligning tactical execution with broader market access and commercial strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Pull-Through Execution:

• Work closely with the Account Director to understand the details of the contract to inform pull-though tactics

• Development and implementation of strategic pull-through initiatives to support contract coverage, formulary positioning, and provider adoption

• Monitor payer policy changes, utilization trends, and claims data to inform field tactics and messaging

Advocacy Development:

• Cultivate relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), healthcare providers, and to drive stakeholder alignment to the contract and product positioning

• Identify and activate advocacy opportunities that support access, education, and policy influence

• Represent the organization at advisory boards, conferences, and advocacy events to elevate therapeutic awareness and brand credibility

Demand Generation:

• Ability to work independently and manage a complex system with minimal supervision.

• Partner with internal teams (Marketing & Patient Services) to develop and deploy targeted resources that drive product uptake

• Deliver compliant high-impact education and engagement strategies tailored to provider and payer audiences

• Analyze market dynamics and field insights to shape demand-driving initiatives and inform brand strategy

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Serve as a strategic liaison between field teams and internal stakeholders to ensure coordinated execution of access and demand strategies

• Support training and enablement of field teams on pull-through tactics, payer messaging, and advocacy engagement

• Provide regular updates on KPIs, field insights, and strategic recommendations to leadership

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Healthcare Administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred

• 7+ years of Pharma experience

• Proven success in executing pull-through strategies and driving stakeholder advocacy.

• Deep understanding of the Kaiser payerlandscape, reimbursement models, 

• Strategic thinking with the ability to influence and drive results in a competitive environment.

• Comfortable navigating complex payer provider networks and landscapes.

•  Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting claims data, coverage policies, and utilization metrics.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

• Proficiency in CRM platforms and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, matrixed organization

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends to compliantly impact the business

• Ability for overnight travel up to 50%
  

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within the Kaiser Permanente System in specialty therapeutics, or biologics

• preferably in market access, payer strategy, specialty pharmacy 

• Familiarity with HUB services, copay programs, and patient access support.

• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and drive alignment.