Payer Engagement Account Director (Market Access)

About GRAIL

GRAIL is a pioneering healthcare company on a mission to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. We are working to change the trajectory of cancer mortality by bringing stakeholders together to adopt innovative, safe, and effective technologies that transform cancer care. Our multi-disciplinary organization combines the expertise of scientists, engineers, and physicians, leveraging next-generation sequencing (NGS), population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to overcome one of medicine's greatest challenges.

Headquartered in the Bay Area of California, with additional locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom, GRAIL is supported by leading global investors and partnerships with pharmaceutical, technology, and healthcare companies. Learn more at grail.com.

The Role: Payer Engagement Account Director

We are seeking a highly driven Payer Engagement Account Director to own and advance a robust pipeline of payer opportunities. This is a role for a builder—someone motivated by creating momentum, opening doors, and converting payer interest into tangible coverage- and access-enabling outcomes that drive real-world impact.

As an Account Director, you will be accountable for actively driving payer engagements forward, not simply maintaining relationships. You will work at the intersection of healthcare innovation and market access, playing a frontline role in shaping payer perception and adoption of GRAIL's groundbreaking products.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively manage and advance a pipeline of payer opportunities from initial engagement through contract execution and implementation
• Navigate complex payer organizations and decision-making structures to move opportunities from early conversations to concrete, measurable results
• Conduct strategic discovery conversations with payers to understand coverage criteria, clinical evidence requirements, and reimbursement barriers
• Develop and present compelling value propositions that demonstrate clinical and economic benefits to payer stakeholders
• Coordinate cross-functional internal teams (clinical affairs, health economics, medical science liaisons) to support payer negotiations and evidence generation
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key payer contacts, including medical directors, pharmacy directors, and contracting teams
• Track and report on pipeline progress, deal status, and market access milestones
• Identify market trends and competitive dynamics affecting payer strategies and adoption
• Report directly to the Senior Director of Payer Engagement and contribute to broader market access strategy

What We're Looking For

• Execution-oriented mindset: Bias toward action, with demonstrated ability to move opportunities forward despite complexity and ambiguity
• Intellectual curiosity: Deep interest in healthcare systems, reimbursement models, and the factors that drive payer decision-making
• Persistence and resilience: Ability to navigate setbacks, adapt strategies, and maintain focus on long-term objectives
• Complex relationship navigation: Demonstrated success building and managing relationships across multiple organizational levels and departments
• Strategic communication: Ability to translate clinical and scientific evidence into compelling business and economic narratives for non-clinical audiences
• Healthcare market access experience: Background in payer relations, market access, reimbursement strategy, or similar healthcare commercial roles
• Project management: Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent opportunities and stakeholders
• Healthcare industry knowledge: Understanding of payer decision frameworks, evidence requirements, health economics, and healthcare policy

Work Environment & Location

This is a fully remote position based in the United States, with the ideal candidate located in Connecticut, New York, and/or surrounding East Coast states. While your primary workplace is your home, you may be required to travel occasionally to a GRAIL office or other locations to perform your work or attend team-related events. This flexibility allows you to maintain work-life balance while contributing meaningfully to our mission.

Why Join GRAIL?

You'll be part of a company transforming early cancer detection and saving lives. This role offers the opportunity to directly impact healthcare policy, payer strategy, and patient access to life-changing technology. You'll work alongside world-class scientists, physicians, and healthcare professionals in a collaborative, mission-driven environment supported by leading global investors.

💰 Compensation not publicly listed. Market estimate for similar roles: from $200K, varying by experience and location.