EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MD PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY BOARD

9908

MDH, Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board, Baltimore, MD

**This position will eventually based in Bowie, Maryland, but some travel to Annapolis MD and Baltimore MD is anticipated.**

The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board (Board) is seeking an individual with a strong technical and analytical background in health care and prescription drug policy with demonstrated leadership capability to fill the position of Executive Director.

The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board is an independent agency of Maryland government. Maryland is one of only two states that has formed a prescription drug oversight board to address issues of high drug costs and the rapid growth of those costs. Five members comprise the Board, one each appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the Attorney General; and one appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, who serves as chair. The board, in consultation with the Prescription Drug Affordability Stakeholder Council (Council), which is defined in the law, must (1) study the entire pharmaceutical distribution and payment system in the State and (2) identify policy options being used in other states and counties to lower the list price of pharmaceuticals, including setting upper payment limits, using a reverse auction marketplace, and implementing a drug bulk-purchasing process. The Council is comprised of specified stakeholders appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House. Collectively, members of the Council must have knowledge in the following areas: the pharmaceutical business model; supply chain business models; the practice of medicine or clinical training; consumer or patient perspectives; health care costs, trends, and drivers; clinical and health services research; or the State’s health care marketplace.

The Board’s first actions will be to recommend an assessment approach for permanently funding its work and to develop the Action Plan for improving drug affordability for Maryland residents. After approval of the Action Plan by the Legislative Policy Committee of the General Assembly and the Governor, the Board will implement the Action Plan. The legislation that established the Board is accessible at http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2019RS/Chapters_noln/CH_692_hb0768e.pdf

The Executive Director reports to the Board and is responsible for the overall operation of the Board and its multi-disciplinary staff including senior leadership, strategic direction, and management and oversight of all activities necessary to develop the Board’s mission.  The Executive Director, in collaboration with the Board Chair and members will develop the organization including hiring and developing staff, procuring contracts, and forming workgroups that will provide input to the Board’s decision-making process. These duties include:

• Implementing the Board’s action plans, analytic activities and reports, including the mandated reports on the funding of the Board’s operations. Developing proposed regulations and reports to the Governor and General Assembly, enforcing the Board’s decisions through negotiation and litigation, and directing the development of Board analyses and studies.  
• Communicating in verbal and written form on issues related to drug policy and affordability, as well as policies and regulations adopted by the Board with senior policymakers at the Governor’s Office and the Maryland Department of Health, including the independent boards and commissions.   
• In concert with the Board, organizing the activities of the Stakeholder Council and communicating the input of the Council to assist the Board in making decisions as required.  
• Providing senior leadership and overseeing operations at the Board including reviewing and evaluating the results of program activities, ensuring that continuing contractual obligations are being fulfilled, hiring and evaluating staff,  allocating resources for greater program effectiveness and efficiency and developing organizational and administrative policies and program objectives to meet the Board’s mission.  
• Serving as the obligating official for all Board funds to carry out the Board’s mission, and serving as contracting officer for all contracts, including research, policy analysis, data analysis, administration, and operations.

Qualified candidates must possess a doctorate, an M.D., or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in pharmacoeconomics, pharmacology, health policy, health services research, medicine, pharmacology, public policy, or a related field or discipline and ten or more years of related policy experience, including at least three years’ experience in a senior leadership position.  

To qualify for this position, the applicant must provide evidence of an ability to serve in a senior leadership capacity with responsibility for providing strategic direction to a new organization. The applicant must possess sophisticated analytical skills, superior written and oral communication skills, and experience in interacting with government and non-government officials and in managing a multi-disciplinary analytic staff.  The applicant must demonstrate experience in working with one or more organizations in the drug or medical equipment supply chain such as pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers, health insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and consumer groups.   Successful experience in a startup organization or in an established organization in which the applicant launched a new program and led organizational change will be considered a plus.  Experience in, or knowledge of, the pharmaceutical drug supply chain will be considered a plus.    

Other Important Information:  Applicants for the Executive Director must be a U.S. citizen (or have applied for U.S. citizenship and naturalization). This is a full-time position based in Bowie, Maryland, but some travel to Annapolis MD and Baltimore MD is anticipated.

This is an Executive Service position, and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.  A cover letter and resume must accompany your application.  Please upload the cover letter and resume in one file under the resume section of the application.

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). 

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. 

Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application (and supplemental questionnaire) may be submitted to MDH, Recruitment and Selection Division, 201 W. Preston St., Room 114-B, Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment, no postmarks will be accepted.

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.  If you are unable to upload, please fax the requested information to 410-333-5689. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the MDH Recruitment and Selection Division at 410-767-1251.

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: 410-767-1251 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.