Director, US Payer & Value Marketing

Job Description

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 Director, Payer & Value Marketing reports to the Sr Director, Head of US Payer, Value, and Access Strategy and is responsible for leading Kite’s portfolio-level payer and value marketing strategy across the US cell therapy portfolio. This role will lead the development, refinement, and execution of payer and value communication strategies, resources, and tools that support appropriate access to Kite’s in-line and launch products. The Director will lead a team responsible for developing payer-facing value stories, evidence-based resources, unbranded and branded payer tools as appropriate, budget impact and economic resources, payer education materials, and product-specific tactics as needed. This role will work closely with HEOR, Medical Affairs, Brand, Pricing & Contracting, Field Market Access, Strategic Account Management, Legal, Regulatory, Compliance, Government Affairs, Advocacy, and other stakeholders to ensure payer and value strategies are evidence-based, customer-relevant, compliant, and aligned with broader portfolio objectives.

This role operates at the portfolio level and is accountable for ensuring Kite has a consistent and compelling value strategy across payer and access stakeholders, while also enabling product-specific execution through direct reports and cross-functional partners. Kite is relocating its primary office from Santa Monica, CA to two locations in Southern California (Thousand Oaks, CA and El Segundo, CA) at the end of 2026. This is a hybrid position with three days per week in office. Throughout the remainder of 2026, the position can be based in Santa Monica, CA, Foster City, CA, or Parsippany, NJ. Beginning in Jan 2027, Thousand Oaks, CA and El Segundo, CA will replace Santa Monica, CA.

Key Responsibilities

Payer and Value Strategy

• Lead development and ongoing refinement of Kite’s US payer and value marketing strategy across CAR T and future cell therapies

• Define portfolio-level value communication priorities and ensure alignment with US Market Access, Brand, HEOR, Medical, and Commercial objectives

• Serve as a strategic advisor to US Market Access leadership on payer trends, evidence needs, access barriers, competitive dynamics, and value communication opportunities

• Ensure payer and value strategies support improved coverage, reimbursement, network access, and stakeholder understanding of CAR T and future cell therapies

• Partner with Pricing & Contracting, Field Market Access, and Strategic Account Management to ensure value strategy supports customer engagement and access objectives

Payer-facing Tools, Resources, and Content

• Oversee development, execution, training, and optimization of payer-facing tools and resources, including value stories, value propositions, budget impact models, cost calculators, economic models, payer presentations, and related resources

• Ensure payer resources are evidence-based, customer-relevant, compliant, and aligned with portfolio and product-specific objectives

• Lead PRC and review strategy for payer-facing materials in partnership with Legal, Regulatory, Compliance, Medical, and HEOR partners

• Oversee team members responsible for product-specific payer and value tactics as needed for in-line brands, launches, and lifecycle opportunities

• Partner with training teams to support field readiness and consistent pull-through of approved payer and value resources

Evidence Translation and HEOR Partnership

• Partner with HEOR and Medical Affairs to translate clinical, economic, humanistic, and real-world evidence into appropriate payer and access stakeholder resources

• Identify payer evidence gaps and collaborate with HEOR, Medical, Global Market Access, and New Product & Launch Planning to inform evidence planning

• Support development of value platforms and payer communication strategies that reflect evolving clinical data, economic evidence, competitive dynamics, and stakeholder needs

• Ensure payer insights inform evidence generation priorities for in-line products, launch assets, and future pipeline opportunities

• Provide input into payer-relevant endpoints, evidence needs, and value narrative considerations

Payer, Employer, and Access Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop strategies and resources to support payer engagement across national and regional payers, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, commercial plans, and other relevant access stakeholders

• Partner with the Ecosystem Strategy & Market Development role on employer-related strategy, ensuring payer and employer narratives are coordinated and mutually reinforcing

• Collaborate with account-facing teams to understand payer needs, support customer engagements, and identify opportunities to improve access

• Monitor payer coverage and reimbursement dynamics, access restrictions, network trends, and policy developments that may impact patient access

• Support payer readiness for new launches, new indications, guideline updates, and lifecycle milestones

Performance, Insights, and Optimization

• Partner with CIAO, analytics, and field teams to gather and synthesize payer insights, coverage trends, customer feedback, competitive dynamics, and resource performance

• Track and report on payer marketing priorities, resource utilization, coverage trends, reimbursement challenges, and access opportunities

• Establish KPIs and measurement plans for payer and value marketing tactics

• Provide regular updates to US Market Access Leadership on payer and value strategy, performance, and emerging opportunities or risks

• Continuously optimize payer-facing resources and strategies based on customer insights, evidence updates, and market evolution

People Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and develop direct reports responsible for payer and value marketing strategy and product-specific tactics

• Manage agency and vendor partners to support development and execution of high-quality payer resources

• Build a strong team culture grounded in strategic thinking, accountability, collaboration, and compliance

• Ensure clear prioritization across portfolio-level and product-specific payer marketing needs

• Manage assigned budgets and ensure resources are deployed efficiently and appropriately

Basic Qualifications

• Advanced scientific degree, such as MD, PharmD, or PhD, and 8+ years of experience OR

• Master’s Degree and 10+ years of experience OR

• Bachelor’s Degree and 12+ years of experience

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotechnology experience in payer marketing, value marketing, market access, HEOR, payer strategy, pricing, contracting, reimbursement, or related commercial roles

• Demonstrated experience developing payer-facing value stories, value propositions, economic resources, budget impact models, payer tools, and access stakeholder resources

• Strong understanding of the US payer landscape, including commercial plans, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, employer-sponsored coverage, specialty pharmacy, medical benefit management, and buy-and-bill dynamics

• Deep understanding of CAR T, hematology/oncology, or specialty therapy reimbursement preferred

• Experience developing value platforms and partnering with HEOR on evidence generation and evidence translation

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence decision making, strategy, and execution across partners and senior leaders

• Experience leading teams, managing direct reports, and developing talent

• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with ability to translate complex evidence and market dynamics into clear customer-facing strategies

• Experience working with Legal, Regulatory, Compliance, Medical, and Promotional Review teams

• Demonstrated high levels of emotional intelligence, situational awareness, and ability to build positive culture across teams

• Advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

The salary range for this position is:

Other US Locations: $205,615.00 - $266,090.00.

Bay Area: $226,185.00 - $292,710.00.

Kite considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid, long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune system's ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica, CA. For more information on Kite, please visit . Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at .

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Kite Pharma is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex , age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact View email address on gilead.yello.co for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

Kite Pharma will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.

Kite Pharma provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Kite Pharma Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.