Senior Director, US Payer Strategy & 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 Senior Director, US Payer Strategy & Engagement reports to the Head of US Market Access (USMA) and is a senior leader on the USMA Leadership Team responsible for shaping Kite’s near-and long-term payer strategy, driving innovation in access models, and leading enterprise-level policy and ecosystem engagement. This role is accountable for designing and evolving Kite’s strategic approach to payer engagement, reimbursement innovation, and policy shaping across the CAR-T portfolio. As a key member of the USMA Leadership Team, this individual will influence national strategy, guide cross-functional alignment, and build organizational capabilities to support sustainable access for patients. This individual leads both the field payer account directors and the headquarters-based payer strategy and marketing team.  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 

• Partner with the USMALT to develop and refine Kite’s overarching US Market Access strategy; ensure that US payer strategy and execution aligns with and supports the achievement of Kite’s US Market Access and overall US strategies 

• Define and evolve Kite’s US enterprise payer strategy, aligned with long-term business goals and the future of CAR-T reimbursement 

• Set payer contracting strategy in accordance with Kite, Global, and US Pricing Committees and in partnership with the US TPC team 

• Lead value-based access innovation, including outcomes-based contracting, site-neutral payment models, and payer pilot programs 

• Serve as a strategic advisor to USMA and executive leadership on payer trends, policy shifts, and reimbursement innovation 

• Build and shape strategic relationships with executive leadership across the payer and related spaces, including with key leaders within the industry and related partners 

• Leads headquarters-based Payer Strategy and Marketing team, responsible for development, training, and execution of all payer-facing materials 

Policy & Environmental Strategy 

• Monitor and assess U.S. healthcare policy, CMS regulations, and legislative developments impacting cell and gene therapies and incorporate into payer strategy and execution 

• Engage in Kite’s payer & policy response strategy, including scenario planning and engagement with trade associations, coalitions, and advocacy groups 

• Represent Kite in external payer and reimbursement-focused forums (e.g., BIO, ARM, PCMA) to shape the external payer and policy landscape