Band

Level 6

Job Description Summary

Are you ready to shape the future of healthcare access and transform how innovative therapies reach patients? As Head of Field Access for Ontario, you will play a critical leadership role in building partnerships, influencing policy, and unlocking new access pathways to ensure patients benefit from innovative medicines, including advanced therapies.

In this role, you will lead the transformation of field access, drive strategic engagement with public payers and policy stakeholders, and develop innovative agreements that create value for patients, the healthcare system, and Novartis. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional leaders to accelerate access and deliver meaningful impact across Ontario’s healthcare ecosystem.

Job Description

#LI-Remote

Location: Toronto, Ontario

This role is field-based within Ontario. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role. Please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

This job posting is for an existing position

Key Responsibilities

Design and lead the provincial strategy with public payers to accelerate patient access to innovative therapies
Establish and expand strategic partnerships across government and healthcare systems, including new access pathways (e.g., population health models)
Drive policy engagement and shape a favorable environment for access to innovative medicines, including advanced therapies and rare disease treatments
Lead complex public payer negotiations and innovative product listing agreements
Align external insights (policy, HTA, payers, stakeholders) with launch strategies and new product planning
Oversee execution of access strategies, monitor performance, and adjust direction to ensure impact
Lead, develop, and coach a high-performing team of Field Access Managers, ensuring strong succession planning
Identify capability gaps and implement development plans to strengthen access excellence across the team
Act as a key advisor to national leadership on Ontario reimbursement and access dynamics

Essential Requirements

University degree in business, economics, or life sciences (advanced degree is an asset)
Significant experience in market access, government affairs, or policy within the healthcare or pharmaceutical industry
Strong understanding of the Canadian political, reimbursement, and access environment
Proven experience leading teams and driving high performance
Demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder environments and negotiations
Strong business and scientific acumen, with ability to manage complex topics
Excellent communication skills in English

Desirable Requirements

Experience in health policy, reimbursement, or HTA
Background in sales, brand management, or strategic account management

At Novartis Canada, we are determined to be a valued partner and advocate, with a deep understanding of patient needs along the entire care journey – from drug development, to diagnosis, to access and beyond. Part of the way we are doing this is by leveraging data, technology, and partnerships.

Research & Development: we focus on four core therapeutic areas: Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolic, Immunology, Neuroscience and Oncology. We also develop and deliver treatments through other promoted and established brands, which today are helping millions of patients. Over the last three years, our average annual research and development investment in Canada was over $30 million, and we conduct clinical trial research in every region throughout Canada.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse team’s representatives of the patients and communities we serve.

Skills Desired

Access And Reimbursement Strategy, Access And Reimbursement Strategy, Agility, Analytical Skill, Analytical Thinking, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer-Centric Mindset, Employee Development, Finance, Go-To-Market Strategy, Healthcare Sector Understanding, Health Economics, Health Policy, Health Technology Assessment (HTA), Influencing Skills, Innovation, Inspirational Leadership, Lcm Strategy, Market Access Strategy, Negotiation Skills, People Management, Pricing Strategy, Process Management, Product Launches, Project Management {+ 7 more}

Head, Field Access – Ontario