At Kailera, we are bold, authentic and committed to our mission of developing therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health. Rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit and a team-oriented culture, we are working together to advance Kailera’s mission to advance novel therapies for obesity and related conditions.
We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes collaboration, integrity, and excellence. As we expand, we seek the most talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to join our team.
What You’ll Do:
The Senior Director, US Market Access at Kailera Therapeutics reports to the VP of Value and Access, and will lead pricing, contracting, and reimbursement strategy across commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and employer channels. This person will be a key leader responsible for developing and executing the US market access strategy that ensures broad, sustainable patient access for Kailera’s portfolio, including injectable and oral ributpatide. This role will partner closely with clinical, medical, marketing, and finance teams to align access strategy with clinical and commercial objectives, driving a successful US launch and sustained growth. This role will be critical in establishing Kailera’s presence as a leader in the obesity space.
Required location: Waltham, MA (hub-based, onsite 3-4 days per week)
Responsibilities:
Develop and execute the US market access strategy for Kailera’s portfolio, including ribupatide injectable and oral spanning commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, employer, and self-pay channels
Build and lead market access launch efforts individually with agility while preparing to grow the US Market Access with direct reports over time. Partner with Market Access team foster a culture of innovation, accountability, flexibility, and collaboration
Lead pricing, contracting, and gross-to-net strategy with PBMs, health plans, and employers, balancing broad access, net price, and long-term commercial success, in partnership with Finance, Legal, and Compliance
Shape employer and benefit consultant engagement and evaluate emerging access channels, including direct-to-patient and self-pay models, as the obesity coverage landscape evolves
Collaborate with clinical development, regulatory, medical affairs, HEOR/RWE, marketing, and finance teams to ensure access strategies align with corporate objectives and market dynamics, including input to launch planning and forecasting
Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including national and regional payers, PBMs, integrated delivery networks, employers, benefit consultants, and key opinion leaders (KOLs)
Use payer research, competitive intelligence, and business analytics to inform access strategy, pricing, and contracting decisions
Partner with Policy and Government Affairs to track and assess federal and state policy developments (e.g., Medicare and Medicaid coverage, the IRA, CAA, etc..). Ensure payer and contracting activities comply with applicable laws and regulations
Required Qualifications:
12+ years in Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology Market Access. Expertise in US market access, pricing, and contracting, including in-depth knowledge of the US payer environment: coverage, reimbursement, formulary management, rebating, and gross-to-net across commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid. At least 5 years of people leadership experience
Has led at least one major US launch within Market Access, from pre-launch strategy through market uptake, including working through the problems that come up after launch. Has built and run an integrated market access launch plan in partnership with brand across functions
Recent, hands-on experience with payer and PBM engagement, including PIE & value proposition discussions, contract negotiations, and trade decisions. Significant experience developing and implementing US contracting strategies with PBMs and health…