**At Caris, we understand that cancer is an ugly word—a word no one wants to hear, but one that connects us all. That’s why we’re not just transforming cancer care—we’re changing lives.** We introduced precision medicine to the world and built an industry around the idea that every patient deserves answers as unique as their DNA. Backed by cutting-edge molecular science and AI, we ask ourselves every day: _“What would I do if this patient were my mom?”_ That question drives everything we do. But our mission doesn’t stop with cancer. We're pushing the frontiers of medicine and leading a revolution in healthcare—driven by innovation, compassion, and purpose. **Join us in our mission to improve the human condition across multiple diseases. If you're passionate about meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, Caris is where your impact begins.** **Position Summary** The Area Vice President (AVP), Market Access is a leadership role responsible for driving access strategy, execution, and performance across national, regional and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans. This leader will directly manage and develop a team of Account Directors, ensuring consistent execution, accountability, and measurable impact on ASP and revenue performance. Reporting to the VP of Market Access, the AVP will serve as a strategic and operational leader, translating enterprise market access strategy into clear priorities, standardized operating procedures, and actionable goals for the team. This role is highly cross-functional, partnering closely with Billing, Finance, Legal, Marketing, Medical, and Commercial leadership to align payer strategy, contracting execution, and billing support to ensure coverage of appropriate tests. The AVP will establish clear performance expectations, lead with accountability, and ensure that insights from payer engagement inform enterprise decision-making and commercial execution. **Job Responsibilities** + Lead, coach, and develop team of Account Directors, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance. + Establish clear expectations, goals, and success metrics for Account Directors aligned with corporate objectives. + Serve as a player-coach by providing executive-level support for key payer discussions, escalations, and strategic initiatives, while directly developing relationships and assuming ownership of select high-impact payer accounts. + Conduct regular performance reviews, provide actionable feedback, address gaps through coaching and support professional development. + Serve as a visible leader and escalation point for complex payer relationships and strategic negotiations. + Partner with Account Directors to plan, prioritize, and execute payer engagement strategies that improve coverage, reimbursement, and contract performance. + Lead payer-specific strategies to address access barriers and variability in plan policies. + Provide strategic oversight and guidance for contract negotiations to ensure alignment with pricing, access, and enterprise objectives. + Establish goals for the payer account team tied to measurable outcomes. + Operationalize lead and lag indicators in Salesforce and related tools; ensure consistent data quality, reporting cadence, and executive-level visibility. + Ensure payer insights and field intelligence are clearly communicated to leadership to inform commercial strategy, prioritization, and decision-making. + Guide decisions regarding trade association participation and market access-related meetings, ensuring clear objectives and ROI measurement. + Drive a results-oriented culture with strong ownership, follow-through, and transparency. + Demonstrate executive presence and the ability to influence at all levels of the organization. + Lead effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment, balancing strategic vision with operational execution. + Exercise strong analytical and business skills; ability to communicate effectively with high level executives. + Exercise strong collaboration, influencing, project management, organizational, and change management skills. + Exercise strong oral and written communication and presentation skills. + Ensure all payer strategies and contracting activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies. + Leverage analytics and market intelligence to identify trends, forecast access challenges, and inform strategic decisions. + Develop and maintain relationships with key industry stakeholders, including trade associations, advocacy groups, and policy influencers. + Define and monitor KPIs such as coverage rates, contract compliance, and ASP impact to ensure accountability and continuous improvement + Uphold Caris’ mission and values through integrity, collaboration, innovation, and accountability. **Required Qualifications** + Bachelor’s Degree required. + 10+ years of experience in diagnostics, market access, reimbursement, or payer-facing roles, with demonstrated impact on revenue and access outcomes. + 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including direct management of account-based or field teams. + Deep understanding of the healthcare payer environment, including coverage, coding, payment, and reimbursement program management. + Proven experience influencing payer behavior and driving outcomes across national, regional and BCBS accounts. + Strong analytical, operational, and business acumen with experience using Salesforce and business analytics tools. + Uphold Caris' mission and values through integrity, collaboration, innovation, and accountability. + Exceptional written, verbal, and executive-level communication skills. + Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship. **Preferred Qualifications** + Master’s Degree. + Experience leading regional or national payer account teams within diagnostics, biotech, device, or laboratory services organizations. + Strong understanding of the molecular diagnostics testing market. + Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and complex payer negotiations. **Physical Demands** + Ability to lift up to 10 pounds. + Ability to work seated approximately 80% of the day and standing approximately 20%. + Ability to work at a computer for extended periods. **Training** + All job specific, safety, and compliance training are assigned based on the job functions associated with this employee **Other** + Field-based position. + Periodic evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required. + Job may require after-hours response to urgent business needs. + Successful completion of pre-employment requirements, including background check and drug screening. + Ability to travel **up to 60%** , including overnight and occasional weekend travel. **Annual Hiring Range** $250,000 - $300,000 Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, and/or skill level. The pay ratio between base pay and target incentive (if applicable) will be finalized at offer. **Description of Benefits** + Highly competitive and inclusive medical, dental and vision coverage options + Health Savings Account for medical expenses and dependent care expenses + Flexible Spending Account to pay for certain out-of-pocket expenses + Paid time off, including: vacation, sick time and holidays + 401k match and Financial Planning tools + LTD and STD insurance coverages, as well as voluntary benefit options + Employee Assistance Program + Pet Insurance + Legal Assistance + Tuition Assistance **Conditions of Employment:** Individual must successfully complete pre-employment process, which includes criminal background check, drug screening, credit check ( applicable for certain positions) and reference verification. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Caris Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. Caris Life Sciences is a leading innovator in molecular science and artificial intelligence focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine through quality and innovation. Caris is committed to quality and excellence at our state-of-the-art laboratories. Learn more about our tissue lab and the advanced technologies that are helping improve the lives of cancer patients.