Job Description:
The Director, Pipeline Advocacy at Vertex Pharmaceuticals reports to the VP, Patient Advocacy and is responsible for the US Pipeline advocacy strategy and execution. This role will be responsible for shaping the environment, engaging with key stakeholders to support the largest possible number of patients access to innovative medicine. The Director will develop a 3-year strategic plan and ensure execution of the strategy year after year while continually assessing and challenging the framework as it pertains to the external environment, our corporate goals, objectives and policy priorities for the disease communities we serve. Identify, assess and prioritize the pipeline advocacy landscape, to ensure alignment around our corporate goals and objectives and policy priorities. Collaborate closely with the Sr Director Patient and Caregiver Advocacy team to ensure internal processes and engagement that create a positive patient experience. Integrate key overarching disease policy, regulatory and patient issues into the pipeline advocacy strategic plans. Work closely with the Assoc. Dir, National Advocacy to align on common goals and objectives that support the needs of rare disease and other patient communities. This position will manage the Sr Manager, Advocacy to ensure cross-functional strategic support and collaboration.
Job Responsibilities:
- Work closely with the Government Affairs/Policy teams to ensure alignment on Pipeline Advocacy strategy, objectives and execution at both the state and federal level
- Create focused advocacy plans for the pipeline disease areas by engaging key external stakeholders; understanding their objectives/priorities, key initiatives, health and policy positions and identify opportunities for collaboration
- Ensure and drive compliant and transparent stakeholder engagement and embrace company principles to demonstrate commitment to patients and caregivers in the rare disease community that preserves and protects company reputation
- Shape the external environment to ensure patient access to new treatments in rare disease and engage the patient community to develop insights and data that inform drug research, development and future patient and caregiver programs
- Mitigate areas of risk by monitoring key issues and trends, developing strategies to protect and enhance company reputation
- Collaborate with Sr Director Patient & Caregiver Advocacy to develop and execute the strategic plan, and with the Sr Manager, Advocacy on tactical implementation
- Oversee department special projects, budget, strategic planning process, calendar and communications to ensure cross-functional collaboration, efficiency and effectiveness including finance, legal and compliance processes
- Provide strategic insight and patient perspective to the AD, National Advocacy to ensure cross-functional alignment on key policy, regulatory and patient issues
- Working collaboratively with the PALT, Government Affairs, Medical, and the CF DST/PT teams to understand and effectively serve the needs of patients
- Working closely with Commercial (Managed Markets, GPS, HEOR) and Policy on key issues of importance for patients and patient advocates, including value frameworks, access and reimbursement, patient support and patient assistance programs
- Developing relationships with patient advocacy groups, and stakeholders to achieve Vertex goals, bring value to patients and enhance the Companys standing and reputation
- Working closely with external national advocacy partners to enhance public policy efforts by coordinating, integrating, and increasing outreach
- In partnership with communications team, integrating Vertexs public relations objectives with the national advocacy strategy and identifying additional PR opportunities
- Provide strategic input into the development and resource prioritization for the Companys annual US advocacy plan
Qualification:
#LI-NP1- Minimum of 15 years current and relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry and 10 years prior experience in patient advocacy, public health policy, government relations or related field(s);
- Bachelors degree required. An advanced degree is highly desired
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated outstanding strategic planning, communication and presentation skills;
- Ability to travel up to 35%;
- Pharmaceutical sector or non-profit sector and therapeutic area experience required;
- Experience in patient advocacy, government affairs, managed markets or public policy
- A high level of energy and passion toward patients, science and public health;
- Working knowledge and appreciation of the complexities of the drug development process and regulatory requirements;
- Understanding of the patient and caregiver experience in rare diseases, (especially CF) to include diagnosis, treatment, and treatment options preferred;
- Knowledge of the patient advocacy community/individuals in CF strongly preferred;
- Proven teamwork and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to interact and influence all levels of business;
- Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously;
- A desire to work in the corporate culture of a highly innovative company aimed at redefining health and transforming lives with new medicines