Senior Director, Patient Advocacy

We are seeking a Senior Director, Patient Advocacy to join our team. The Senior Director, Patient Advocacy will be responsible for developing a patient advocacy group (PAG) engagement strategy to define our approach to working with neurological and psychiatric disorder communities. This work would include strategic oversight and implementation of patient advocacy and engagement programs, including targeted disease, research and insights-gathering to support scientific evidence and patient outcomes. Tactical expectations will also include relationship management and logistical support for advocacy meetings; sponsorship and grant support; participation at patient meetings and scientific congresses; local community outreach; internal education and awareness to ensure teams are upholding our culture and shared values: Xenon CARES about patients, employees and those who put their trust in us.

This position reports to the Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and will be in Boston, MA, USA. We will consider other jurisdictions for exceptional candidates. The level of the position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and industry experience. Relocation and immigration support will be provided, if required. This role is a hybrid position, requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In collaboration with other relevant functions, develop and propose patient advocacy group (PAGs) strategy and plans for epilepsy and depression in the U.S. and specific international regions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with appropriate U.S. and international patient advocacy groups (PAGs) aligned to the corporate strategic imperatives.
• Lead local “Hub” community outreach, including Boston and Vancouver, as we collaborate with and support the local communities we live and work within via programmatic partnerships, sponsorships/donations, volunteer opportunities and other relevant community activities.
• Refresh the community landscape of relevant advocacy groups and establish regular communications to share and discuss short- and long- term priorities and initiatives.
• Review patient advocacy frameworks, governance, ways of working with PAGs.
• Ensure community feedback loops with a formalized communications and operating plan.
• Facilitate or take part in patient advocacy sponsorships and grants program with Medical Affairs and Compliance. 
• Advise and/or partner with Corporate Communications, Commercial, Medical Affairs, on initiatives to advance disease awareness to priority audiences and in support of team’s strategic plans. 
• Ensure cross-functional alignment and incorporation of community/family/caregiver perspectives in multi-departmental working groups, including, but not limited to medical affairs, clinical development, corporate affairs, marketing, market access, and patient support. 
• Coordinate with Corporate Communications on integrating patient (and HCP) perspective into internal communications. 
• Liaise and managed various current or prospective external partners, including, but not limited to CROs; medical communications, marketing, public relations or advocacy agencies; and other consultants as needed.
• Coordinate the promotional review process of all patient advocacy materials, including disease education insights research, tools, communications and other materials, some of which in collaboration with Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, Marketing and Market access. 
• Develop plans to increase patients access to care, including general disease burden awareness and engagement policy and coverage plans with legislators, as needed.
• Develop and propose short- and long-term objectives for the function in accordance with overall Company strategies and plans.
• Plan and manage budget proposals and approved budgets in accordance with the Company’s strategic and operating plans and Finance policies.
• Recruit, lead, direct, develop, coach and evaluate direct reports, if any, in accordance with the Company’s Human Resource policies and practices.
• Act in accordance with Company policies, including, for example, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and ensure policies are understood and followed by direct reports, if any.
• Some international travel may be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree required.
• 15+ years of experience in patient advocacy and other relevant function.
• Global advocacy experience preferred; US advocacy experience required.
• Diverse advocacy experience, with time in epilepsy, neuroscience, and psychiatry categories preferred.
• Excellent project management ability, as well as writing skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of current compliance, legal, regulatory and other issues that impact healthcare industry and patient engagement.
• Effective communication skills, tact, composure and understanding of the importance of confidential matters as you coordinate complex patient issues, manage sensitive information, and participate in key inter-departmental interactions.
• High empathy and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a cross-functional internal and external teams.
• Proven capacity to plan and implement advocacy plans in alignment with the company’s strategic initiatives and integrated communications program.
• Results-driven mindset balanced with requirements of a patient advocacy role/function.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, ability to build credibility and trust inside and outside the Company.
• Be science and data driven while at the same time, creative and flexible in strategic thinking and problem solving.
• Ability to travel up to 25-40%, both domestically and internationally.

The base salary range for this role is $260,000 to $278,500 USD; we will consider above this range for exceptional candidates. Base salary is determined by a combination of factors including, but not limited to, education and other qualifications, years of relevant experience, and internal equity.