Head Value & Access, SSA

Job Description Summary

The SSA (V&A) Head leads the development and execution of integrated access, pricing, HEOR/HTA, and healthcare system shaping strategies to secure and sustain timely, equitable, and commercially-viable patient access to Novartis innovations. The role ensures end to end access excellence across the portfolio, with disproportionate focus on priority Therapeutic Areas (TAs) and key launches in large, complex healthcare systems.
The role drives external partnerships, shapes the evolving healthcare ecosystem, and leads cross functional collaboration to deliver compelling value propositions for payers, policymakers, providers, and patients

Job Description

Major Accountabilities:

• Access Strategy
  • Lead development and implementation of the national access strategy for priority TAs and key assets.
  • Shape the Target Product Profile (TPP) (specific markets only) and early pipeline opportunities by representing the payer voice and access feasibility.
  • Define asset maximization strategies including indication sequencing and long‑term access planning.
  • Drive integrated cross‑functional access plans aligned with commercial, medical, and public affairs priorities.
• Healthcare System Shaping & Partnerships
  • Build strategic partnerships with government, payers, policymakers, hospitals, patient groups, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
  • Co‑create innovative healthcare system solutions that improve access, affordability, and sustainability.
  • Anticipate and shape policy and system evolution to create an environment enabling best‑in‑class launches.
• Pricing & Contracting
  • Lead national pricing strategy, price governance, and operational pricing processes.
  • Conduct pricing research, forecast scenarios, and guide tendering and contracting decisions.
  • Drive successful price and reimbursement negotiations—including outcome‑based agreements and innovative contracting solutions.
  • Ensure compliance with international pricing policies.
• HEOR / HTA Strategy & Submissions
  • Lead HEOR/HTA strategy development and integrated evidence planning for key assets.
  • Drive timely, high‑quality HTA and regulatory submissions.
  • Oversee development of value dossiers, economic models, BIA/CEA analyses, and treatment comparisons.
  • Ensure local evidence generation plans reflect payer requirements and ecosystem realities.
• Access Field & Key Account Leadership
  • Oversee Access Field teams to build strong relationships with hospitals, payers (regional/national), private insurers, and wholesalers.
  • Lead cross‑functional account strategy development and ensure execution of access‑critical projects.
  • Support early access schemes, contracting execution, hospital listings, and healthcare system readiness
• Talent & Leadership
  • Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams to execute strategic priorities.
  • Build a high-performance culture, manage recruiting, performance, and coaching; develop critical capabilities and talent pipelines.
  • Attract, develop, and retain top talent; strengthen succession plans and capabilities across the country organization.
  • Role-model Novartis Leadership Expectations & Behaviors, inspire transformation and performance, and demonstrate self-awareness with a growth mindset.

Key Performance Indicators

• Access & Launch Excellence
  • Time to access vs. target (pricing & reimbursement timelines)
  • Reimbursement outcomes (price level, restrictions, indications)
  • Launch sequence execution and pull‑through performance.
• Pricing & Contracting
  • Price realization vs. guidance
  • Success rate of contract negotiations (volume, impact, innovation level).
  • International reference pricing compliance.
• HEOR/HTA & Evidence
  • Quality, completeness, and timeliness of HTA submissions.
  • Approval rate and assessment outcomes from HTA agencies.
  • Availability of payer‑relevant evidence packages.
• Healthcare System Shaping
  • Number and impact of co‑created system solutions.
  • Policy shaping influence and partnership depth.
• Team Leadership & Engagement
  • Team engagement, retention, and development progression.
  • Strengthening of V&A capabilities across the organization
  • Identified +2 RN successors (internally or externally)

Ideal Background

Education:

• University degree required (Health Economics, Public Health, Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Economics, or equivalent).
• Advanced degree preferred (e.g., MSc, PHD, MBA).

Languages:

• English

Experience / Professional Requirement:

• 7+ years of experience in Market Access, HEOR, Pricing, Health Policy, or related disciplines.
• Direct leadership experience managing teams of ~10–20 people.
• Deep understanding of the SSA healthcare ecosystem and ideally exposure to other market archetypes.
• Proven experience working with government, regulators, HTA bodies, payers, policymakers, or political stakeholders.
• Strong track record in price negotiations, innovative contracting, and shaping payer strategies.
• Experience in co‑creating healthcare solutions with external stakeholders at system or disease‑area level.
• Demonstrated ability to represent payer perspective in early pipeline shaping and clinical development discussions.
• Cross‑functional experience (Commercial, Medical, Public Affairs) and above‑country experience are strong assets

Functional & Leadership Skills.

• Navigate Complexity: Anticipates trends, shapes innovative access models, and excels in highly matrixed environments.
• Deliver Collective Impact: Builds strategic partnerships, drives joint value creation, communicates with courage and influence.
• Lead & Develop People: Engages, empowers, and develops teams; influences senior stakeholders; creates trust and purpose.

Skills Desired

Access And Reimbursement Strategy (Inactive), Access And Reimbursement Strategy (Inactive), Agility (Inactive), Analytical Skill (Inactive), Analytical Thinking, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer-Centric Mindset (Inactive), Employee Development, Finance, Go-to-Market Strategies, Healthcare Policies, Healthcare Sector Understanding (Inactive), Health Economics, Health Technology Assessment (HTA), Influencing Skills, Innovation, Inspirational Leadership, Lcm Strategy (Inactive), Market Access Strategies, People Management, Pricing Strategies, Process Management, Product Launches, Project Management, Public Affairs {+ 6 more}