VP, Ecosystem Partnerships

Job description

ABOUT LEAP Leap is one of the fastest-growing benefits solutions and a category-defining pioneer in employer specialty pharmacy. We are reshaping how life-changing therapies are delivered and financed, ensuring patients get the treatment they need while employers finally get a fair deal. Specialty drugs and infusions represent nearly 10% of all healthcare spend and are the fastest-growing cost category for employers. Leap tackles this challenge with a novel approach: eliminating hidden markups, expanding access to high-quality infusion providers, and bringing clarity and fairness to how therapies are priced and paid for. We’re proud to partner with numerous Fortune 500 companies and leading TPAs. Each patient we serve creates immediate ROI: lower costs, improved access, and better care. Join us as we redefine what’s possible in specialty care. POSITION OVERVIEW The VP, Ecosystem Partnerships is the senior operating leader who partners directly with the President to build, manage, and scale Leap's external partner ecosystem across three connected lanes: manufacturer relationships, specialty pharmacy/distribution partnerships, and growth of the Leap Transparency Network (LTN) of specialty infusion provider partners. Beyond owning these relationships, this role helps shape the underlying commercial model itself — working with the President to identify and structure the combination of GPO enrollment, distribution economics, and manufacturer terms that most lowers Leap's drug acquisition cost while still delivering real value to manufacturers and self-funded employers. This role is the connective tissue between manufacturer-facing commercial strategy and the day-to-day health and expansion of Leap's provider and distribution network — ensuring all sides of Leap's model reinforce each other. This is a builder role for someone ready to run point on manufacturer accounts, specialty pharmacy/distribution relationships, and provider network growth — and who also wants a seat in shaping how Leap's acquisition cost and value model evolves — while developing into an SVP-level leader. The ideal candidate has carried manufacturer, distributor, or payer relationships personally, understands specialty infusion and distribution economics, and is ready to manage a small, high-leverage team. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Acquisition Cost & Value Model Strategy - Partner with the President to evaluate and refine the combination of GPO enrollment, WAC/direct purchasing, and distribution terms that most reduces Leap's drug acquisition cost over time - Model and stress-test how changes to the manufacturer, pharmacy, and network mix affect acquisition cost, manufacturer value, and employer savings simultaneously - Translate acquisition-cost strategy into manufacturer-facing value propositions and employer-facing savings narratives - Bring market and competitive intelligence (PBM, GPO, distributor moves) back into Leap's model design before it hardens into manufacturer or distribution agreements Manufacturer Relationship Management - Lead day-to-day execution of manufacturer partnership initiatives - Prepare manufacturer-facing materials, pitch decks, and business reviews in partnership with Analytics and Marketing - Represent Leap at manufacturer working sessions, industry conferences (AMCP, ISPOR), and account reviews Specialty Pharmacy & Distribution Partnerships - Own relationships with specialty pharmacy and distribution partners (wholesalers, GPO contacts) - Support navigation of REMS requirements, limited-distribution drug (LDD) access, and specialty pharmacy accreditation-adjacent partnerships Specialty Network (LTN) Growth & Oversight - Lead active growth of the LTN: identify geographic and capacity gaps, source new specialty infusion partners, and lead recruitment and onboarding - Serve as the primary point of contact for LTN provider partners on network performance, referral flow, and issue resolution Team & Cross-Functional Leadership - Directly manage the Manufacturer Analytics & Marketing and Manufacturer Account Manager roles, setting priorities and reviewing output - Partner with Clinical, Data & Analytics, and Pharmacy Operations to package Leap's capabilities for manufacturer and network audiences - Provide the SVP with pipeline visibility, network health and growth reporting, and early signal on manufacturer, distribution, or provider risk QUALIFICATIONS Required - 8+ years in pharmaceutical market access, specialty pharmacy, distribution/trade, PBM, GPO, health plan, or specialty provider operations, including direct manufacturer, distributor, or payer relationship ownership - Working knowledge of ASP, WAC, GTN, 340B, buy-and-bill, chargebacks, and specialty infusion site-of-care economics - Demonstrated ability to think in commercial models, not just accounts — comfortable evaluating tradeoffs across acquisition cost, manufacturer value, and employer savings - Experience managing external partner or provider relationships, including contracting, network growth, and performance management - Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable building and presenting manufacturer-facing materials - 2+ years of people management experience, or clear readiness to manage a small team Preferred - Prior experience at a specialty pharmacy, wholesaler/distributor (Cencora, McKesson, Cardinal), infusion provider network, PBM, or integrated care company - Familiarity with prior authorization (PA), REMS programs, limited-distribution drugs, and specialty drug distribution - Track record leading provider or partner network recruitment, growth, and contracting At Leap, we’re building an outlier company with real impact — and that takes focus, energy, and commitment. If that excites you, we’d love to hear from you. Leap is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We’re committed to building a team that reflects a diversity of perspectives, experiences, and identities.