Associate Director, Patient Engagement & Advocacy

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in District of Columbia, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Develop and oversee the patient advocacy and engagement strategy for a designated region.

• Create and execute comprehensive regional advocacy plans addressing priorities, stakeholder needs, engagement opportunities, risks, success metrics, and alignment with business objectives.

• Build and maintain long-lasting relationships with patient advocacy groups, advocates, patients, caregivers, and community leaders.

• Facilitate collaboration, education, awareness, and opportunities for patient engagement.

• Offer patient advocacy insights and strategic guidance to marketing, market access, HEOR, medical affairs, government affairs, and corporate communications.

• Supervise the regional patient advocacy sponsorship budget and grant-review processes.

• Identify representation and advocacy activities for the company at patient and health policy conferences, meetings, and briefings.

• Assess the advocacy, policy, and industry landscapes to pinpoint trends, needs, risks, and opportunities.

• Collaborate with leadership on national organization engagement and advocacy strategies that support pipeline, clinical development, and product priorities.

• Inform patient and grassroots advocacy communities about clinical research and Neurocrine clinical trials.

• Lead intricate cross-functional initiatives and matrix teams, defining objectives, roles, timelines, decision points, and success measures.

• Ensure that patient and caregiver perspectives are integrated into strategies, programs, policies, and communications.

• Maintain relationships with designated national patient advocacy organizations.

• Report to the Director of Patient Engagement and Advocacy.

• Carry out additional job responsibilities as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in public health, public policy, communications, business, life sciences, social sciences, or a related field, along with 10+ years of experience in the pharma, biotech industry, or patient advocacy.

• Alternatively, a Master's degree is preferred with at least 8 years of relevant experience.

• Alternatively, a PhD is preferred with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience.

• Extensive experience in patient engagement, advocacy, and/or relations, including the development of communication and educational materials.

• Proven dedication to understanding and representing the needs and perspectives of patients and caregivers.

• Experience in formulating and implementing patient advocacy strategies in collaboration with advocacy organizations, with measurable outcomes and organizational alignment.

• Required travel within the US is 50–60%.

• Capability to independently lead complex, high-impact initiatives across various disease states, programs, and cross-functional stakeholder groups.

• Ability to establish, nurture, and maintain relationships with patient advocacy organizations, patients, caregivers, community leaders, and senior internal stakeholders.

• History of developing and executing intricate patient advocacy programs within established timelines, budgets, governance requirements, and success metrics.

• Preferred knowledge of patient advocacy communities within neuroscience, including mental health and movement disorders; ability to quickly acquire expertise in new or emerging disease areas is essential.

• Significant expertise in patient advocacy and patient engagement.

• Understanding of patient advocacy processes, governance, and systems, as well as integration with Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Commercial, Market Access, Government Affairs, Corporate Communications, Legal, and Compliance.

• Ability to synthesize and convey patient and caregiver community priorities, public policy positions, and unmet needs, translating insights into strategic recommendations.

• Understanding of how patient advocacy integrates across functions and contributes to a patient-focused mission, business objectives, and external reputation.

• Possess discretion, sound judgment, adaptability, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational, written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills.

• Ability to communicate complex or sensitive issues and influence senior leaders and external stakeholders without direct authority.

🏝️ Benefits

• Annual bonus targeting 30% of earned base salary.

• Eligibility to participate in an equity-based long-term incentive program.

• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.

• Paid vacation.

• Paid holidays and personal days.

• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave.

• Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.

• Remote position.