National Account Director (Optum & Emisar) at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals

Job description

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq ARWR) is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing. Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates. Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need. The Position Let’s do something amazing together! The National Account Director (NAD) will play a critical role in enabling patient access to Arrowhead’s first commercial asset – Redemplo (plozasiran, siRNA targeting APOC3) as well as an expanding pipeline of innovative therapies across multiple therapeutic areas. This product has demonstrated compelling clinical data to date and received approval in November 2025 for the treatment of Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS). Redemplo (plozasiran) remains in late-stage development for the treatment of Severe Hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG). The NAD will develop, execute, and manage strategic relationships with key stakeholders across the Emisar (GPO) and Optum (PBM) books of business, along with their affiliated Commercial and Medicare plan stakeholders, to secure formulary access. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong individual account management skills and the ability to influence cross-functionally to support Arrowhead’s expanding commercial portfolio. This is a field-based role that requires periodic travel to Arrowhead's Corporate Headquarters in Pasadena, CA, as business needs dictate. Responsibilities Strengthen relationships with Emisar (GPO) and Optum(PBM) books of business across payer segments Communicate product clinical and economic value to payers, and key decision-makers Create and maintain comprehensive account plans supporting launch, and post-launch strategies Lead contract negotiations, evaluate performance metrics, and ensure organizational alignment Help develop the organizational structure and capabilities required to support effective payer engagement across the expanding U.S. Arrowhead portfolio Monitor sales implications for each payer negotiation and take action to establish optimal access in the right direction as necessary Collaborate with cross-functional teams within Market Access, Sales, Medical Affairs, Commercial Analytics, Finance, and Compliance, to address access challenges Provide market intelligence updates on payer trends, coverage determinations, and healthcare policy changes Present payer policy insights at internal business reviews, national conferences, and sales meetings to align strategic priorities Ensure full compliance with US healthcare regulations, legal standards, and corporate policies Align with payer-affiliated Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs) within the assigned geography to support a coordinated account strategy Requirements Bachelor’s degree 10+ pharmaceutical/biotech experience with a strong background in field-based market access, payer engagement, or managed markets 5+ years of previous national account payer experience with established, deep-rooted relationships across the Optum enterprise including Emisar GPO are required Strong understanding of commercial and Medicare Part D managed care processes Previous experience launching rare disease/cardiometabolic medicines highly desired Experience managing national and local contracting initiatives in managed care organizations Demonstrated ability to drive results and influence cross-functionally without direct authority to support an expanding portfolio of innovative therapies Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills Ability to translate complex scientific and economic data into payer-relevant insights Self-motivated, collaborative, and able to operate with strategic independence Willingness to travel up to 50% Preferred Advanced degree (MBA, MPH, PharmD) California pay range $230,000 — $250,000 USD Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package. Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located. California Applicant Privacy Policy

Requirements

Must-haves

Strengthen relationships with Emisar (GPO) and Optum(PBM) books of business across payer segments
Communicate product clinical and economic value to payers, and key decision-makers
Create and maintain comprehensive account plans supporting launch, and post-launch strategies
Lead contract negotiations, evaluate performance metrics, and ensure organizational alignment
Help develop the organizational structure and capabilities required to support effective payer engagement across the expanding U.S. Arrowhead portfolio
Monitor sales implications for each payer negotiation and take action to establish optimal access in the right direction as necessary
Collaborate with cross-functional teams within Market Access, Sales, Medical Affairs, Commercial Analytics, Finance, and Compliance, to address access challenges
Provide market intelligence updates on payer trends, coverage determinations, and healthcare policy changes
Present payer policy insights at internal business reviews, national conferences, and sales meetings to align strategic priorities
Ensure full compliance with US healthcare regulations, legal standards, and corporate policies
Align with payer-affiliated Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs) within the assigned geography to support a coordinated account strategy
Bachelor’s degree
10+ pharmaceutical/biotech experience with a strong background in field-based market access, payer engagement, or managed markets
5+ years of previous national account payer experience with established, deep-rooted relationships across the Optum enterprise including Emisar GPO are required
Strong understanding of commercial and Medicare Part D managed care processes
Previous experience launching rare disease/cardiometabolic medicines highly desired
Experience managing national and local contracting initiatives in managed care organizations
Demonstrated ability to drive results and influence cross-functionally without direct authority to support an expanding portfolio of innovative therapies
Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
Ability to translate complex scientific and economic data into payer-relevant insights
Self-motivated, collaborative, and able to operate with strategic independence
Willingness to travel up to 50%

Nice-to-haves

Advanced degree (MBA, MPH, PharmD)
California Applicant Privacy Policy

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