Date Posted: 07-21-2008
Functional Area: Marketing and Analytics
State: Delaware
City: Delaware
Other States: N/A
Field/Home based position: No
Search Band: Band 3
Department: MM Contract Ops - Institut
Responsibilities

This position requires critical information seeking and analytical thinking in the pursuit of securing contracts that meet AstraZeneca’s overall targets as well as those of external customers. Incumbents are responsible for any or all of the research, analysis, creation, and maintenance of contracts as well as the necessary reporting to the appropriate internal contacts (Contract Directors, Legal, Brand Teams, Field Sales, and Finance, etc.).

Major Responsibilities - Contract Specialist
·Coordinate through interaction with Contract Directors, Account Directors, Legal and others, following all relevant SOPs and contract approval processes, to ensure contracts and all related documents are prepared and executed accurately and in a timely manner. This responsibility includes the interpretation of contract strategies with regard to specific customer requirements and the application of analytical/strategic thinking to execute a contract within pre-determined parameters.
·Contribute to the negotiation, analysis and administration of contracts with a wide range of customers including PBMs, Health Plans, GPOs, LTC, Federal Government, and City/County/State entities. This would include communication, as applicable, with these external customers to determine contract requirements and position AstraZeneca to respond with high quality and timely contractual information.
·Collaborate with Claims Specialists on contract set up/maintenance to help ensure the accuracy of all assigned contracts, verifying that the contract in the applicable claims administration system replicates the requirements of the executed contract.
·Possess a strong knowledge of Managed Care contracting principles and the contracting process to review and analyze, from a business and legal perspective, new Managed Care initiatives for AstraZeneca products.
·Develop a strong relationship with legal to ensure consistency and fluidity to the contract review process.
·Participate on cross-functional teams lending support and input from a Contract Operations perspective as well as special projects as assigned by management.
·Work closely with internal and external customers to facilitate the exchange of key information, understand and address needs, and clarify contract requirements.
·Meet all compliance-related requirements such as completion of mandatory training, adherence to audit controls and SOX requirements and adherence to all AZ policies, procedures, and SOPs.

Senior Level Responsibilities
·Manage all responsibilities above for the more difficult assignments with demonstrated knowledge, leadership and with independence exercised in planning and executing responsibilities with minimum supervision or follow up.
·Possess in-depth knowledge of contracting business, downstream results through contract systems and related data.
·Serve as a leader among peers and are viewed and utilized as the go-to person within their respective segment, across the department, and to internal customers.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements - Contract Specialist
·Bachelor’s Degree and 2 years of relevant business experience.
·Strong attention to detail to ensure successful contract execution that represent a portion of over $6 billion in annual customer discounts.
·Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to multitask in order to meet deadlines and provide exceptional internal and external customer support.
·Excellent oral and written communication skills.
·Strong knowledge in Microsoft office applications, specifically Word and Excel, with the ability to adapt and learn query tools and new computer applications.
·Ability to manage daily workload as well as special assignments and projects and deadlines.
·Demonstrated strong level of professionalism with the ability to interface with all levels and departments of the organization.

Leadership Capabilities
·Engages with internal and external customers through communication vehicles to better understand underlying issues/needs and proactively/consistently develops solutions, products or services.
·Ability to think strategically and think broadly, but also identifies opportunities and develops solutions.
·Works collaboratively by respecting and integrating diverse views into decisions/proposals. Works as an individual contributor to accomplish team goals and to support goals of others.
·Drives performance by anticipating and/or removing obstacles for others in order to deliver results and succeed.
·Acts decisively, making effective decisions under pressure and can do so in the absence of complete information.

Preferred Background
·Paralegal Certification from an ABA accredited institution and/or a Bachelor’s Degree in a business related field (Finance, Law, Marketing, and/or Health Care).
·1-2 years previous experience working in Managed Markets or the healthcare industry.
·In-depth knowledge of Pharmaceutical contracting processes
·Proven ability to build/maintain credible and strong relationships with internal/external customers and peers.
·Incumbent should have a general understanding of AstraZeneca’s product line and the various contracting strategies deployed across assigned markets.

Minimum Requirements - Sr. Contract Specialist
·Bachelor’s Degree and 4 years of relevant business experience.
·Excellent attention to detail to ensure successful contract execution that represent a portion of over $6 billion in annual customer discounts.
·Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to multitask in order to meet deadlines and provide exceptional internal and external customer support.
·Excellent oral and written communication skills.
·Proficient in Microsoft office applications, specifically Word and Excel, with the ability to adapt and learn query tools and new computer applications.
·Ability to manage daily workload as well as special assignments and projects and deadlines, and serve as a mentor to those at the Contract Specialist level, helping them to prioritize workload and understand individual customer needs and expectations.
·Demonstrated high level of professionalism with the ability to interface with all levels and departments of the organization

Preferred Background
·Paralegal Certification from an ABA accredited institution and/or a Bachelor’s Degree in a business related field (Finance, Law, Marketing, and/or Health Care).
·2-3 years previous experience working in Managed Markets or the healthcare industry.
·In-depth knowledge of Pharmaceutical contracting processes
·Proven ability to build/maintain credible and strong relationships with internal/external customers and peers.
·Incumbent should possess a strong understanding of AstraZeneca’s product line and competitors, and the various contracting strategies deployed across assigned markets.

This position is posted as a band 3/band 4. The band will be determined based on the selected incumbent’s level of experience.