Head of Market Access & Stakeholder Relations (Confidential) – Greater Toronto Area

Korn Ferry is partnered with a leading, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical organization to identify a Head of Market Access & Stakeholder Relations to lead the Canadian affiliate’s access strategy and stakeholder engagement efforts.

This is a highly visible leadership role, reporting directly to the General Manager and serving as a key member of the affiliate Leadership Team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping access, pricing, and reimbursement strategies for both current and future therapies, while driving engagement with key stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem.

The Opportunity

This leader will have full ownership of the market access function in Canada-spanning strategy, execution, and team leadership ensuring patients gain timely and sustainable access to innovative therapies.

You will lead a team of 5 and work cross-functionally with global, regional, and local stakeholders to align on strategic priorities and deliver business impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Market Access Execution

• Lead the development and execution of national and regional market access strategies, including pricing & reimbursement and HEOR initiatives
• Integrate Canadian market access needs into global development and commercialization plans
• Oversee payer negotiations and innovative contracting strategies
• Develop tools and value propositions to demonstrate product differentiation and outcomes

Government Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement

• Shape and influence healthcare policy through strategic government affairs initiatives
• Build and maintain strong relationships with payers, policymakers, and key healthcare stakeholders
• Partner with industry associations and patient advocacy groups to drive aligned access strategies
• Monitor and respond to evolving healthcare system dynamics and reimbursement frameworks

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Market Access & Stakeholder Relations team
• Foster a collaborative, performance-driven culture aligned with organizational goals
• Drive change management initiatives and build capabilities to support future growth

Cross-Functional & Executive Collaboration

• Serve as a core member of the affiliate Leadership Team, contributing to overall business strategy
• Partner closely with global and regional teams to ensure alignment and execution excellence
• Support prioritization of key initiatives and operational objectives across the organization

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience within the biopharmaceutical industry, with a strong focus on market access
• Deep expertise in the Canadian payer, reimbursement, and policy landscape
• Proven leadership experience with direct people management
• Demonstrated success influencing access strategy in complex, highly regulated environments
• Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and analytical capabilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MSc, PhD) preferred
• Bilingual (English/French) is an asset