Director, Patient Services Strategy
Description
Ardelyx is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on redefining treatment approaches for patients with significant unmet medical needs. By combining scientific innovation with a collaborative, purpose-driven culture, we strive to create meaningful impact for patients.
Team Ardelyx is united by a shared mission and guided by our core values: Passionate, Fearless, Dedicated, and Inclusive.
We foster an inclusive environment where employees are respected, supported, and empowered to make an impact — both within our company and in the lives of patients we serve.
Position Summary:
As a member of the Market Access Team, this position is responsible for supporting the Ardelyx patient access and affordability programs by supporting patient-centric teams and leading strategic program enhancements. Success in this role will focus on enhancing and optimizing the patient and prescriber experience during the entire treatment cycle, from initial prescription through to the maintenance phase of therapy.
This position is responsible for working cross-functionally with all external vendors and internal stakeholders including Sales, Marketing, Market Access, Trade, Compliance, Commercial Operations, and Legal to develop and support impactful patient service strategies that drive program growth, operational excellence, and patient access outcomes.
The role serves as a subject matter expert on reimbursement support services, stakeholder engagement, and will lead and partner closely with the Ardelyx patient services hub and support vendor partners. This position reports to the Senior Director of Patient Services.
Responsibilities:
- Define and lead the strategic vision and roadmap for patient access programs and reimbursement hub services, ensuring alignment with broader corporate and brand objectives
- Architect scalable, future-state Patient Services Models that enhance patient access, experience, and treatment outcomes while anticipating market and organizational growth
- Establish and evolve performance frameworks and KPIs that drive strategic decision-making, continuous improvement, and enterprise-wide accountability
- Oversee the governance and optimization of standard operating models, policies, and compliance frameworks, ensuring adaptability to a changing regulatory and market landscape
- Analyze macro trends in patient access, reimbursement, and healthcare delivery to proactively shape innovative strategies that maintain competitive advantage
- Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to executive leadership, field teams, and cross-functional stakeholders on patient services, reimbursement dynamics, and access challenges
- Lead cross-functional collaboration with Commercial, Market Access, Trade & Distribution, and external partners to design integrated solutions that remove barriers to therapy access
- Drive innovation and digital transformation within patient services by identifying and implementing tech-enabled solutions that enhance scalability, efficiency, and patient engagement
- Develop and guide long-term patient engagement and adherence strategies, leveraging data insights and stakeholder input to improve outcomes and persistence
- Provide strategic oversight of external vendors and partners, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and maximizing value through effective governance and performance management frameworks
- Inform and shape annual and long-range brand planning through data-driven insights on reimbursement, access trends, and patient support program effectiveness
- Identify risks and opportunities within the patient access ecosystem and proactively design mitigation and growth strategies to support business objectives
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree, advanced degree preferred, (e.g., MBA, PharmD, RN, PA)with 9–12 years of progressive experience across patient access, market access, or reimbursement strategy, or equivalent experience
- Proven track record of developing and executing enterprise-level strategies within patient services or market access environments, including strategic leadership impact
- 5+ years of leadership experience with demonstrated success influencing cross-functional teams, shaping direction, and leading through internal teams, vendors and external partners
- Deep expertise in payer systems, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial, with the ability to translate reimbursement complexity into actionable strategic insights
- Strong understanding of healthcare provider workflows and the broader patient journey, with the ability to identify system-level optimization opportunities
- Advanced knowledge of healthcare regulatory, compliance, and privacy frameworks, including HIPAA with the ability to incorporate them into strategic program design
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment across functions
- Experience leveraging data, analytics, and digital solutions to inform strategy and enable scalable patient access models
- Strong business acumen and analytical capabilities, with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear strategic recommendations
- Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented biotech environment, balancing strategic thinking with pragmatic execution
The anticipated annualized base pay range for this full-time position is $214,000 - $262,000. Ardelyx utilizes industry data to ensure that our compensation is competitive and aligned with our industry peers. Actual base pay will be determined based on a variety of factors, including years of relevant experience, training, qualifications, and internal equity. The compensation package may also include an annual bonus target and equity awards, subject to eligibility and other requirements.
Ardelyx also offers a robust benefits package to employees, including a 401(k) plan with generous employer match, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, up to 12 weeks living organ and bone marrow leave, equity incentive plans, health plans (medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision), life insurance and disability, flexible time off, annual Winter Holiday shut down, and at least 11 paid holidays.
Ardelyx is an equal opportunity employer.