Account Director - Pharma Strategy & Contracting - Express Scripts - Hybrid or Remote

POSITION SUMMARY This role is responsible for managing pharmaceutical manufacturer relationships and leading the contract review and execution process in alignment with strategic business objectives. The position will collaborate closely with negotiators, leadership, and cross-functional teams to ensure timely and accurate contract implementation, invoicing, and rebate processing. A critical component of this role is understanding the broader impact of contractual decisions, requiring knowledge of inter-system connections and how contract structures affect downstream teams and the overall feasibility of the setup. Success in this position demands strong communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex internal and external partnerships while ensuring compliance and alignment with organizational goals. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Collaborate with negotiators and department leadership to determine strategic business review vision, objectives, strategy, and presentation content. Partner with negotiators to execute on manufacturer, product class, and drug strategies. Collaborate with assigned manufacturers and matrix partners to guide contracts through the review process, leading to execution of agreements within required timelines. Collaborate with Ascent Health Services and matrix partners, remaining aware of firewall requirements at all times. Manage pharmaceutical relationships and develop partnerships with assigned manufacturers across multiple departments within ESI’s Supply Chain. Ensure accuracy of all contractual requirements and respond to inquiries within ESI to ensure accurate and timely invoicing and payment of rebates. Consult with negotiators and department leadership to determine data needs and submit data requests. Leverage business review knowledge across all assigned accounts to provide consultative feedback to negotiators and input on client strategy. Develop and demonstrate an understanding of assigned manufacturer needs, thinking critically about how to best support their objectives. Apply knowledge of inter-system connections and assess how contract decisions impact downstream teams and the feasibility of the overall setup. QUALIFICATIONS Minimum educational requirement: Bachelor's degree in related field and 8+ years of relevant experience. Minimum 3 years’ experience in negotiating contracts desired, preferably in the managed care and/or pharmaceutical industries. Sophistication at positioning our value proposition and our ability to meet client needs. Strong critical thinking skills. Ability to manage timelines to meet deadlines and document progress on projects as required. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule during times of peak volume. Ability to assess program metrics and financials. Excellent Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office Suite skills. Superior verbal and written communication, analytical and organizational skills. Ability to prioritize work and make independent recommendations. Ability, confidence, and experience to be counterparts with other managers and directors on team. Demonstrated ability to adapt in a dynamic work environment. Knowledge of the pharmaceutical and PBM industries. This is a hybrid role requiring 3 days per week on-site (Morris Plains, NJ or St. Louis, MO). Candidates within a 50-mile radius of these locations are preferred, though remote candidates may be considered. If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload. For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary of 103,900 - 173,100 USD / yearly, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location. This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan. At The Cigna Group, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, with a focus on supporting your whole health. Starting on day one of your employment, you’ll be offered several health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being and behavioral health programs. We also offer 401(k), company paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year, paid holidays, and leaves of absence. For more details on our employee benefits programs, click here . About Evernorth Health Services Evernorth Health Services, a division of The Cigna Group, creates pharmacy, care and benefit solutions to improve health and increase vitality. We relentlessly innovate to make the prediction, prevention and treatment of illness and disease more accessible to millions of people. Join us in driving growth and improving lives. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the online application process, please email for assistance. Please note that this email inbox is dedicated to accommodation requests only and cannot provide application updates or accept resumes. The Cigna Group has a tobacco-free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington State. Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.