VP Trade Negotiation - Synergie Medication Collective

Company: Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
Location: Indianapolis
Posted on: March 19, 2025

Job Description:

The hiring range for this role is: $230,000.00 - $250,000.00This is the lowest to highest salary we, in good faith, believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the hiring range and this hiring range may also be modified in the future. A candidate's position within the hiring range may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, relevant experience, skills, seniority, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs.This job is also eligible for annual bonus incentive pay.We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, 11 holidays, medical/dental/vision insurance, generous 401(k) matching, lifestyle spending account and many other benefits to eligible employees.Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.Synergie Medication Collective is a new medication contracting organization founded by a group of Blue Cross and Blue Shield affiliated companies to serve both Blues and select independent health plans. Synergie is focused on improving affordability and access to costly medical benefit drugs - ones that are injected or infused by a health care professional in a clinical setting - for nearly 100 million Americans.

The Vice President, Trade Negotiator of Synergie Medication Collective, in collaboration with the Chief Trade Relations Officer and Head of Medical Trade Relations, will negotiate contracts and maintain relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers for the GPO.

The VP Trade Negotiator will have significant experience in negotiating contracts and relationship management with pharmaceutical manufacturers. The leader will work to leverage the assets that currently exist within the Blue System and through the leadership and management of a larger organization to maximize scale in support of driving better costs for members. This position will report to the Head of Medical Trade Relations and will be a critical member of the executive leadership team. This initiative is nothing less than transformative, with the goals of positioning the BCBS health plans to deliver on the quadruple aim in health care (service, access, quality, and affordability). We are looking for someone passionate about transforming health care, building, and growing an organization and collaborating on future innovation.Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead and manage high-stakes negotiations with pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, and other suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing including VBA's and cell and gene therapies
• Develop and implement comprehensive negotiation strategies that align with the organization's goals and objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including suppliers, manufacturers, and internal teams.
• Analyze market trends, pricing data, and competitive intelligence to inform negotiation strategies and decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, and operations, to ensure successful contract execution and compliance.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of negotiated agreements, making adjustments as necessary to optimize outcomes.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the negotiation team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• As a leader, partner with Synergie teams to develop, review, and align strategies and negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers; collaborate on rebate bid analysis and rebate agreement process to ensure alignment with corporate goals, performance standards and expected outcomes
• Partner with the Head of Trade Relations and Chief Trade Relations Officer in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and collaborate with key internal teams to create program/product value to clients, members, providers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers
• Work closely with Synergie teams, related to medical policy and drug list development, pharmaceutical manufacturer programs and contracts, and ongoing evaluation of drug therapy classes for rebate and other financial opportunities; ensure effective communication and strategic collaboration within GPO
• Represent Synergie's objectives and perspective to external partners (i.e., pharmaceutical manufacturers, clients, others) and communicate to ensure understanding of mutual objectives
• Ensure manufacturers' products are brought forth internally to evaluate rebate and management opportunities for Synergie's business
• Serve as a department resource for escalated client issues, contract analysis, and contract language needs in rebate contracting
• Represent Trade Relations on committees to identify net-cost effective policy opportunities; support client alignment and adoption of strategies; assure communication with committee members
• Other duties as assignedRequired Education, Certifications and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in business, healthcare management or other related field of study or equivalent combination of education and/or related work experience; HS diploma or GED is required
  • 10-15 years of related work experience in pharmacy benefit management (PBM), pharmaceutical payer contracting, and/or analytical contracting.
  • Must be eligible to work in the United States without need for work visa or residency sponsorship.
  • Excellent verbal and written presentation skills
  • Ability to establish rapport and build relationships at all levels within an organization
  • Expert negotiation and influencing skills
  • Strong business and financial acumen, with advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPointPreferred Qualifications:
    • MBA, other graduate work, or equivalent training and/or experience
    • Experience within the PBM industry, Medicaid, Medicare, and health plans
    • Experience with contract language and risk mitigation conceptsMinimum Physical Job Requirements:
      • Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
      • Constantly required to sit, use hands to handle or feel, talk and hear
      • Frequently required to reach with hands and arms
      • Occasionally required to stand, walk and stoop, kneel, and crouch
      • Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
      • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focusReporting Structure:
        • Reports to the Chief Trade Relations Officer#LI-REMOTE

Keywords: Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Indianapolis , VP Trade Negotiation - Synergie Medication Collective, Executive , Indianapolis, Indiana