Posted: 07-Jan-26
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Type: Full Time
Job Setting:
Specialty Practice Areas:
The Senior Director, Specialty Pharmacy (SDSP) is a highly visible, system-level position with accountability to execute OhioHealth’s specialty pharmacy strategic plan, encompassing the vision to provide specialty pharmaceuticals to the entire OhioHealth patient population.
The Pharmacy leadership seeks a director capable of advancing specialty pharmacy programs for the organization. With support from leadership, the SDSP will continue to expand the integrated specialty pharmacy business line, in alignment with OhioHealth’s enterprise-level journey of fully integrating services across the system.
The SDSP leads clinical and operational pharmaceutical services for OhioHealth’s Specialty Pharmacy program and ensures that services are provided to patients with a consistently high level of safety, quality, cost effectiveness and customer service.
Due to the strategic nature of the role, this leader will dually report to VP Enterprise Shared Services, Joy Bischoff and to the to the System Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, Charles McCluskey.
Position Summary
The Senior Director of Specialty Pharmacy Services is responsible for the strategic leadership, coordination, quality, and cost-effectiveness of all operations within the Specialty Pharmacy. Working closely with the Vice-President, Pharmacy Services, this role will execute on strategic growth to support organizational initiatives. Close collaboration with all pharmacy directors will be required as this business will have multiple pharmacy intersections, including outpatient pharmacy, clinic practices, infusion centers, and home infusion.
This role oversees Directors, Managers, Coordinators, and Support Personnel, working collaboratively to achieve and maintain the highest standards of practice and optimal outcomes. The Senior Director serves as an internal and external spokesperson, representing and promoting OhioHealth Specialty Pharmacy Services to providers, administrators, legislators, researchers, and other stakeholders.
This position also leads educational initiatives for pharmacy students, residents, pharmacists, technicians, and other providers, and supports research activities related to specialty pharmacy and pharmaceutical public policy.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
• Conducts responsibilities in alignment with organizational Service Excellence Standards and Core Values: Compassion, Excellence, Inclusion, Integrity, and Stewardship.
• Committed to high reliability organization principles and demonstrates consistent behaviors to provide the safest and most effective care for all.
• Provides oversight and strategic direction for all specialty pharmacy operations, including accreditation, compliance, and quality assurance.
• Leads educational and research initiatives, supporting the development of pharmacy professionals and advancing specialty pharmacy practice.
• Collaborates with senior leadership to develop and maintain strategic plans for specialty pharmacy services.
• Ensures optimal pharmaceutical care for patients through innovative service development and integration.
• Maintains effective communication and collaboration across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Oversees financial management, including budgeting and resource allocation for specialty pharmacy services.
• Develops and implements quality improvement indicators and programs.
• Presents specialty pharmacy experiences and research at professional meetings.
LEADERSHIP
• Provides oversight of specialty pharmacy accreditations and network applications.
• Interacts with payers, insurance companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and other stakeholders to grow and sustain the business.
• Develops and maintains policies and procedures for specialty pharmacy services.
• Ensures compliance with all legal and regulatory agencies.
• Leads strategic planning for specialty pharmacy services.
• Identifies and implements strategies to overcome weaknesses and threats, and capitalize on strengths and opportunities.
• Recruits, retains, and develops personnel for specialty pharmacy services.
• Oversees and disciplines personnel within organizational guidelines.
• Develops, analyzes, and controls annual operating/personnel budgets.
• Provides oversight of the Quality Management Program for Specialty Pharmacy Services.
• Maintains effective communications with all pharmacy leaders, internal and external stakeholders and customers.
• Ensures continuity of pharmaceutical care between inpatient/ambulatory/home infusion and specialty pharmacy services.
• Leads and participates in research projects, presenting results at professional meetings.
Candidate Qualifications
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited institution.
• Advanced training in business, public health, health administration, or pharmacy administration (e.g., administrative residency or specialized training in specialty pharmacy).
• Licensed or eligible for licensure as a pharmacist by the state of Ohio.
• At least 7 years of specialty pharmacy leadership experience, with a minimum of 5 years at a director level.
• Prior experience in research projects with presentation and publication of results.
• Proficiency in verbal, written, and persuasive communication.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, standards, and practices related to pharmacy at the state and federal level.
• A strong understanding and prior experience in navigating a specialty pharmacy through payer challenges with both pharmacy and medical benefits with commercial and government payers.
• Proven ability to coach and develop leadership talent driving role expansion, promotion, and improved operational results.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and integrate innovative pharmaceutical care services, with direct experience of leading organic growth of a health-system based specialty pharmacy.
• A comprehensive understanding and ability to build the matrix of services required for a highly successful specialty pharmacy – volume capture, patient financial assistance, prior authorizations, claims processing, financial performance, payer contracting, among others.
DESIRED ATTRIBUTES
• ASHP-accredited residency or equivalent pharmacy practice experience.
• Pharmacy Board Certifications or other advanced certifications.
• Collaborative practice experience with integration of a specialty pharmacy with a medication therapy management clinic.
• Experience in strategic planning and organizational leadership.
• Experience with transitioning manual processes to automated processes to support and accelerate the growth of the business.
GENERAL PROFILE
• Requires advanced conceptual and practical knowledge in specialty pharmacy and related disciplines.
• Solves complex, strategic problems and leads major projects or ongoing objectives.
• Acts as a resource and mentor for colleagues at all levels.
• Works independently with minimal guidance, setting direction for the specialty pharmacy enterprise.
• Impacts patient care, operational, project, and service activities across multiple teams and departments.
How to be considered
Please direct all nominations, inquiries and resumes to Paul Bush at ASHP Consulting by e-mail, p-ctrbush@ashp.org
Paul W. Bush Pharm.D., MBA, BCPS, FASHP
Executive Consultant
ASHP Consulting
4500 East West Highway Suite 900
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
OhioHealth is an equal opportunity employer and fully supports and maintains compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations. OhioHealth does not discriminate against associates or applicants because of race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, military status, pregnancy, disability, marital status, familial status, or other characteristics protected by law. Equal employment is extended to all person in all aspects of the associate-employer relationship including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, reduction in staff, termination, assignment of benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.