The Market Access Director for Japan is responsible for developing and executing strategies to ensure optimal access and reimbursement for the company’s products within the Japanese healthcare market. This role requires a deep understanding of Japanese healthcare policies, payer dynamics, reimbursement environment, and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will lead cross-functional teams, manage external relationships, and play a pivotal role in shaping market access initiatives that drive business growth. Key Responsibilities Strategic Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive market access strategies tailored to the Japanese market, including pricing, reimbursement, and health technology assessment (HTA) submissions. Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, payers, societies, healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, and industry bodies. Policy Intelligence: Monitor and analyze changes in healthcare policy, reimbursement guidelines, and other requirements affecting market access in Japan. Evidence Needs: Identify and prioritize evidence needs necessary to drive /expand/defend access in Japan and/or optimize reimbursement. Evidence Generation: Collaborate with medical and clinical teams to design and deliver real-world evidence, health economics, and outcomes research to support product value propositions. Cross-functional Leadership: Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams comprising medical affairs, regulatory, commercial, and legal to deliver market access objectives. Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies related to market access and reimbursement. Reporting: Prepare regular updates and reports for senior management regarding market access progress, challenges, and opportunities in Japan. Requirments Education Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business, public health, or a related field Advanced degree preferred Experience 5+ years of experience in market access, pricing, reimbursement, or health policy within the Japanese medical device industry Proven experience developing and executing market access strategies in Japan Competencies Strong knowledge of Japanese healthcare system, regulatory pathways, and payer landscape. Experience in health economics, outcomes research, and evidence generation is highly desirable. Excellent communication and negotiation skills in both Japanese and English. Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities. Stay connected by joining our Talent Community. We're more than just a company - we're a community! Follow us on LinkedIn to see how we support and empower our employees and patients every day. Check us out on Glassdoor for a glimpse behind the scenes and a sneak peek into You. Unlimited., life, culture, and benefits at S+N. Explore our website and learn more about our mission, our team, and the opportunities we offer. Smith+Nephew is a global medical technology company. We design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. We support healthcare professionals to return their patients to health and mobility, helping them to perform at their fullest potential. From our first employee and founder, T.J. Smith, to our team today, it’s our people who make Smith+Nephew a unique place. Yes, we love to innovate and develop exciting technologies, and we offer competitive salaries and progressive benefits. But it’s our culture - of Care, Collaboration and Courage - that really sets us apart. Through a spirit of ownership and can-do attitude we work together to win. We’re a company of people who care about each other, about our customers and their patients, and about our communities. Together, we fulfill our shared purpose of Life Unlimited.

Director, Market Acess.

more at Smithnephew.

ESS Productivity Senior Project Engineer

Packaging Engineer 2

Director of Operational Excellence

similar roles.

Agile Practitioner

Business Support Officer

Executive Medical Director, Clinical Development Hematology

Medical Director, Clinical Development

Head of IT Operations

DFX Supervisor