Associate Director - Market Access (Health)

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

VML HEALTH is a global healthcare agency with a vision to make the world of health human-centric with connected brands. VML HEALTH has offices across the world & three global healthcare hubs in London, New York, & Milan. VML Health is a WPP company.

Within VML HEALTH is the Global Strategy Team (GST), home to a diverse set of strategic thinkers and consultants. It represents the highest levels of strategic competency and consulting acumen under an agile business model, working independently with clients or as part of an integrated agency team. The GST brings together four key disciplines to build brands and shape the healthcare environment from as early as pipeline development through to loss of exclusivity: Medical Strategy, Engagement Strategy, Brand Strategy, and Medical Consulting. This role sits within the Medical Consulting discipline.

The Medical Consulting team focuses on early engagement across a range of disciplines including Commercial, Medical Affairs, HEOR, Market Access, Clinical Development, Patient Advocacy & Policy teams – our clients include pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic companies alongside patient advocacy organizations and academic organizations.

The Medical Consulting team supports organisations to achieve more effective decision making through a focus on early and cross functional working, enhanced focus on patient engagement, and integrated planning and execution of value-based development, commercialisation projects and disease leadership programmes. We run a variety of global accounts involving close collaboration with our creative, digital, medical education, and marketing teams to bring creative solutions for clients as they move forward in development and launch of their assets.

This role is based in our London office with close collaboration across our core hubs and domestic teams.

In the last year, VML Health London has delivered a variety of projects, ranging from supporting scientific advice procedures, payer advisory boards and negotiation workshops to delivering SLRs, GVD & AMCP dossiers, differentiation materials, cost effectiveness and budget impact models and HTA submissions across many therapy areas including Rare Diseases, Oncology, Immunology and Haematology.

About the role

We are looking for an Associate Director, reporting to the VP Market Access, to provide technical and strategic leadership for key accounts and to help expand the offering and build the practice. We need someone with a strong life sciences background who understands the nuances of clinical data and can articulate evidence for a Payer audience.

Working with senior account leads, you will shape, develop and deliver effective content and programmes that meet client objectives, budgets, and timelines. In addition, you will contribute to the development of the HEOR and HTA offering, leading on business development initiatives including proposal writing and pitching, as well as mentoring and line managing junior members of the team.

Requirements

Associate Directors should have at least 8-10 years experience in a market access consulting or pharma industry setting, such that they are able to demonstrate:

• In-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, and ability to relate scientific understanding to a clients strategic needs
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the health and social care systems and reimbursement of technologies in the UK, EU and U.S. Experience in LatAm and AsiaPac markets would also be beneficial
• Aptitude for evidence synthesis, writing payer materials and visualising and communicating complex clinical data, adapted for a range of different audiences
• Experience in interpreting clinical research studies, including patient-reported outcomes (PRO), indirect treatment comparisons, and real-world evidence (RWE)
• A track record of leading HTA submissions and working with client affiliates to optimise local execution, specifically:
• Experience of leading a team to develop cost-effectiveness and budget impact models
• Experience of leading a team to undertake SLR/metanalysis
• Experience of developing innovative contracting strategies for pharma clients would be beneficial
• Strong leadership and role model behaviours
• Proven ability to budget, project manage and work well in a busy, deadline-driven, multi-agency environment
• Business development track record as well as negotiation and facilitation skills
• Experience using appropriate tools e.g., Excel/VBA, TreeAge, SAS, Python or R would be advantageous

The ideal candidate would have the following personal characteristics:

• Planning resources and time efficiently
• Client image and style awareness
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Excellent attention to detail
• Enthusiastic and motivated

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.