Position Title: Director, Pharmacy Benefits
Reports To: Group Claims and Administration Vice President
Department: Group Pharmacy Management
Term: Permanent Full-Time

Work Arrangements: This is a hybrid role. You will work in our office in Waterloo, ON a minimum of two (2) assigned, consecutive days every other week, plus a fifth (5th) assigned day per month. You are welcome to work from the office more than the minimum requirement and there may be some roles that are required to work in our office more than the minimum requirement.

The Opportunity: Equitable is growing! We are looking for a Director, Pharmacy Benefits to join our Group Pharmacy Management team!

Join a rapidly growing insurer with a culture of collaboration and focus on clients. We are looking for a dynamic leader, passionate about the world of drug benefits and committed to helping our clients, plan sponsors and plan members with their group benefit program needs.

As the Director of Pharmacy Benefits, your role is multifaceted and impactful.

1. Subject Matter Expertise: You are the go-to authority on all matters related to drugs. Your in-depth knowledge of group benefit drug plan execution as well as the drug benefit landscape empowers informed decisions and drive meaningful change.
2. Strategic Innovation: Drawing from your expertise, you craft and influence innovative strategies, processes, products, and solutions. These forward-thinking approaches enhance the drug benefit experience for our stakeholders.
3. Client Focused: Every decision is made with the plan sponsor and plan member in mind. You carefully consider a range of factors when designing, proposing, and implementing changes that impact our drug benefits program.
4. Leadership: Your passion for leadership shines through. You inspire and elevate your team, bringing out their best. Your guidance fosters a collaborative and high-performing environment with your cross functional partners.
5. Project Execution: Your exceptional planning, organization, and execution skills ensure successful project delivery. You navigate complexities with finesse, keeping projects on track.
6. Effective Communication: Your ability to communicate with passion and clarity sets you apart. Whether engaging with internal partners or external stakeholders, your message resonates, driving actionable insights and positive outcomes.

In this pivotal role, you'll shape the future of pharmacy benefits, leaving a lasting impact.

Make a difference today in a critical role on our team and join one of Waterloo Area's and Southwestern Ontario's Top Employers for 2024!

What you will be doing:

Provide expert leadership to our drug benefit program:

• Lead and implement initiatives related to drug benefit programs in collaboration with various internal partners such as Strategic Health Management, Underwriting, Sales, Product, Finance, IT and Operations.
• Generate, propose and execute on innovative solutions for drug program management and service delivery.
• Manage drug-related projects from start to finish, ensuring that they meet the objectives, scope and budget.
• Assess and monitor the impact of changes affecting our drug benefit program and proactively manage them to achieve positive outcomes for Equitable and our Clients.

As our subject matter expert on all things drug related you will:

• Provide expert advice on drug related issues to Advisors, Sales, Service and Underwriting teams, as well as existing and potential clients, through online or in-person meetings.
• Educate internal and external audiences on our drug benefits program offerings, features and trends, using methods such as training sessions, knowledge articles and other forums.
• Analyze drug utilization data for specific clients and provide insights and recommendations based on the findings.
• Participate in industry forums to keep current with developments and trends in drug utilization and best practices in evaluating drug.
• Collaborate with other experts to evaluate and mitigate the risk of fraud, waste and abuse that could compromise the integrity of our drug plans.

As the lead of the Health and Drug Consultant Team, your are responsible for:

• Guiding and mentoring your team in their work and career development.
• Monitoring and managing the workload and deliverables of the team to ensure they meet the deadlines, quality and performance expectations of our clients and the organization.
• Fostering a positive and collaborative work environment with your team, and the extended cross functional team, to ensure they feel valued, motivated and supported.

As the lead in our relationship with our Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), you will have the following responsibilities:

• Be the main point of contact and manage the communication and collaboration with our PBM.
• Monitor and evaluate the contract performance and service quality of our PBM and resolve any issues or concerns that may arise.
• Represent our organization in client forums.
• Organize and lead quarterly meetings with our PBM to discuss strategic goals and operational performance tied to key metrics.
• Organize and lead internal and partner meetings to review current and future initiatives and align on expectations and deliverables.

Lead the drug evaluation process for all relevant drugs which includes:

• Applying your clinical expertise and research skills to oversee the assessment of new and existing drugs and indications.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations and lead the deliberation on the eligibility and criteria for drug plan coverage in accordance with Equitable's drug management strategy.

What you will bring:

A deep understanding of group benefits pharmacy benefits program design and operation (3-5 years minimum) from a payer point of view.

• Experience at a group insurer, benefit consulting firm or PBM preferred.
• Licensed pharmacist status preferred.
• Health claims and data analysis skills an asset.
• Innovative, analytical, and decisive problem-solver.
• Familiar with pharmacy benefits regulations.
• Excellent client relationship and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work on both strategic and operational tasks.
• Project management skills and multitasking ability.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Business case and product specification writing skills.
• Bilingualism an asset.
• Occasional travel for business

What's in it for you:

• A healthy work-life balance with employee wellness top of mind
• Annual bonus program, annual vacation allowance, and company-paid benefits program
• An additional paid volunteer day each year so you can spend time giving back to the community
• Immediate enrollment in the company's pension program with employer matching
• Employee resource groups that support an inclusive work environment
• Tuition support and specialized program assistance
• An onsite, full-service cafeteria with a variety of daily options
• Discounts on company products and services, and access to exclusive employee perks
• Regular EQ Together events focused on company togetherness and collaboration
  
  

As part of the recruitment/offer process you will be required to:

• Provide two professional references (minimum one supervisor and above)

To learn more about Equitable, we encourage you to explore our organization.

At Equitable, we are committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities across our organization. Please contact our HR team at careers@equitable.ca if you would like to receive our job postings in an alternative format or require an accommodation with the application process.

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