Pharma Contracting & Strategy Principal - Evernorth Health Services

The PBS Pharma Contracting & Strategy Principal  will report to the Managing Director, Pharma Contracting & Strategy and play a critical role in shaping contracting strategy and leading complex negotiations with pharmaceutical manufacturers. This position serves as a trusted subject matter expert across the pharmaceutical landscape, influencing internal and external stakeholders on contracting strategy, formulary optimization, emerging drug pipelines, and evolving manufacturer pricing & access dynamics. Beyond contracting experience, the individual will be responsible for serving as the connection point for key category strategies, across our internal and external client stakeholders. This individual is expected to think holistically about deal structure and contractual terms, leveraging and connecting manufacturer relationships, team knowledge, market intelligence, and broader market forces to drive predictable, competitive net pricing and flexibility for clients. In this role, you will lead efforts to create holistic strategies by consulting with PBS clients, develop strategic initiatives, and work cross‑functionally with formulary, contracting, product, drug pipeline strategy, and client‑facing teams. You will own 1-2 large manufacturer relationships, including contract negotiations, invoicing issues, dispute resolution, audit questions, and consulting on contract setup and execution. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Own and lead complex pharmaceutical manufacturer negotiations, including deal strategy, contract architecture, financial terms, performance metrics, and multi‑year structures Design and influence contracting strategies that support formulary optimization, pipeline readiness, competitive positioning, and long‑term affordability objectives Serve as a trusted strategic advisor and leader, able to bring together information across key pharmaceutical contracts, informing decision‑making across clinical, formulary, finance, product, and client‑facing teams Apply deep understanding of manufacturer behavior, portfolio strategy, and pipeline evolution to determine negotiation timing, positioning, and leverage Leverage market intelligence and manufacturer relationships to anticipate shifts in pricing, access, and competitive dynamics, proactively adjusting contracting strategy as needed Partner cross‑functionally to ensure contracting strategies align with enterprise objectives, client value propositions, and downstream operational execution Support client discussions and internal leadership forums by clearly articulating contracting strategies, trade‑offs, risks, and expected outcomes Support Contract Specialists in finalizing and managing manufacturer agreements to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant contract execution QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MPH, PharmD, or similar) preferred 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical negotiations, contracting, pricing, and/or formulary strategy Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical landscape, including manufacturer strategies, formulary management considerations, supply chain dynamics, and emerging drug pipelines Ability to simplify complex concepts and bring knowledge together to drive innovative solutions Strong financial acumen with the ability to evaluate deal economics, pricing structures, and long‑term value constructs Ability to synthesize market intelligence, manufacturer behavior, and market positioning into clear, actionable contracting strategies Demonstrated experience structuring and negotiating complex agreements, including financial terms, performance guarantees, and multi‑year arrangements Proven ability to influence and persuade internal and external stakeholders while balancing organizational objectives and partner considerations Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross‑functional teams and external stakeholders Exceptional written, verbal, and