Director, Patient Services And HUB

Director, Patient Services

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with key operations in the U.S., Canada, and Europe focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, psychiatry & neurology, and cell & gene therapies. With several marketed products in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage assets, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. We are currently seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual for the position of Director, Patient Services. Primary responsibilities include leading and developing a high performing team, along with building & executing patient support strategies across the Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) portfolio. This role oversees patient services that help remove barriers to access for patients prescribed SMPA medicines, including hub and reimbursement services, copay programs, reimbursement managers and the SMPA's patient assistance program. This role executes the strategic framework for patient support services, aligned with brand imperatives. The Director has oversight of patient services operations and manages within the budget. The Director leads the patient services execution and fosters strategic partnerships with service providers to deliver high-quality patient support. The Director plays a critical role in optimizing patient access, affordability, and adherence through data-driven insights, digital innovation, and cross-functional collaboration. This position will serve as a subject matter expert on hub and patient services. The ideal candidate brings deep operational experience in Patient Support Services, team and or vendor leadership, a strategic and solutions-oriented mindset.

Essential Duties:

Program Strategy & Leadership:

• Execute patient services strategic priorities and ensure seamless patient access, working closely with market access and brand teams to align support programs with commercial strategies.

Operational Excellence:

• Execute comprehensive patient support services for SMPA's product portfolio, including hub services (benefits investigation, prior authorization, and appeals support), field reimbursement managers, Patient Assistance Program (PAP) and copay assistance programs.
• Drive data-driven decision-making, leveraging patient insights and real-world evidence to refine program effectiveness.

Vendor Oversight:

• Oversee third-party service providers, ensuring high-quality execution and patient-centric program delivery. Monitor program effectiveness patient engagement and satisfaction.
• Track key performance metrics (KPIs) to evaluate program efficiency and impact. Drive operational improvements and efficiencies.

Cross-functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Partner with access marketing and brand leadership to ensure patient services align with brand strategy and market access goals.
• Collaborate closely with legal, compliance, privacy and regulatory teams to ensure program design and execution adheres to all.
• Leverage technology and data-driven insights to improve program outcomes.

Budget management:

• Manage patient support services budget and support forecasting needs. Manage program operational and pass-through reimbursement costs. Provide regular reporting to Sr. Director, Patient Services.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Partner with Access Marketing, Brand, Data & Analytics, Legal, Compliance, Medical Affairs, IT, and other cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and integration of patient services within the overall strategy.

Compliance & Quality:

• Ensure all programs adhere to relevant regulatory and legal standards, including HIPAA.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in business, healthcare administration, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in patient services, market access, or related pharmaceutical roles, with expertise in program management and vendor oversight.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing within large-scale budgets and patient support initiatives.
• Deep understanding of reimbursement models, affordability programs, and regulatory requirements affecting patient access.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.