Own and actively drive a defined pipeline of payer opportunities with clear accountability for progress, outcomes, and timelines • Initiate build and expand relationships with assigned payer accounts, proactively identifying opportunities to advance discussions toward pilots, data evaluations, and access-enabling activities • Lead payer meetings from initial outreach through follow-up execution, ensuring momentum is maintained and next steps are clearly defined • Translate payer interest into concrete deliverables, including pilots, collaborations, or agreements, in close partnership with the Senior Director Payer Engagement • Navigate complex payer organizations to identify and engage key clinical, economic, and decision-making stakeholders • Surface payer needs, objections, and decision criteria early and work cross-functionally to address them efficiently • Partner with Market Access, HEOR, Medical Affairs, Commercial, Government Affairs, and clinical development teams to support payer-driven evidence and access requirements • Prepare and deliver compelling, compliant payer-facing materials that clearly articulate clinical and economic value • Maintain disciplined pipeline management, including documentation of payer interactions, progress, risks, and next steps • Represent the company with credibility, urgency, and professionalism in all payer interactions. • Advanced degree (MBA, MPH, PharmD, MD, PhD) • 15 years of experience in payer engagement, market access, managed care, or healthcare account leadership • Strong understanding of U.S. payer decision-making, medical policy, reimbursement, and access pathways • Proven ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and maintain momentum across multiple active opportunities • Comfort with ambiguity and experience working in growth-stage or evolving commercial environments • Excellent communication skills, executive presence, and stakeholder management abilities • Experience in biotech, diagnostics, pharma, or healthcare technology • Exposure to payer pilots, value-based arrangements, or evidence-generation collaborations • Familiarity with HEOR, real-world evidence, and clinical development processes.