Associate Director, Neuromuscular

Title: Associate Director, Neuromuscular, US Patient Advocacy

Location: East Hanover, NJ

Job Description:

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director, Neuromuscular, US Patient Advocacy collaborates with relevant Neuromuscular patient communities (including but not limited to DMD, DM-1, FSHD) to understand unmet needs that inform business strategy, mobilize and empower the patient community and those who care for them to seek the best care, and reduce access barriers.

The ideal location for this role is East Hanover, but remote work may be possible. Please note that this role would not provide relocation as a result. If associate is remote, all home office expenses and any travel/lodging for periodic live meetings will be at the employee’s expense. The expectation of working hours and travel (domestic and/or international) will be defined by the hiring manager.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain trusted and strategic long-term relationships with patient organizations and communities in relevant Neuromuscular disease areas (including but not limited to DMD, DM-1, FSHD), centered on two-way communications and collaborations to advance shared priorities
• Identify the right patient organizations to drive strategic collaborations and partnerships that help educate and mobilize patients to seek optimal care and elevate the voice of the patient to inform decisionmakers in the patient treatment journey, including HCPs, policymakers and payers
• Execute integrated patient advocacy strategies aligned to critical business and corporate priorities based on deep understanding of the patient/care partner experience and unmet needs
• Ensure patient/care partner insights and implications for launch and growth brands are systematically actioned across corporate affairs and with cross-functional partners
• Stay abreast of key environmental and policy issues impacting the company’s ability to operate and pre-emptively drive initiatives and build relationships to shape the environment
• Develop AI-enabled educational programs and resources that address unmet patient and caregiver needs and drive business objectives
• Monitor and evaluate performance to achieve and maintain best-in-class outcomes, while being fully compliant
• Effectively manage budget and maximize agency ROI

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 8+ years of experience in patient advocacy or related discipline with a healthcare and/or pharmaceutical background, prior experience in neuromuscular and rare disease areas preferred
• 1-2 years industry patient advocacy role required
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with patient organizations, professional associations and other stakeholders
• Commercial launch experience
• Development and implementation of integrated plans and projects against business objectives and priorities
• Influencing and navigating complexity
• Management of agency partners and budget
• Crisis and issues management    

Desirable Requirements:

• Understanding of US policy, regulatory and compliance landscape
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent people & communication skills
• Ability to influence across diverse set of matrix cross-functional partners
• Business acumen, critical thinking and collaborative enterprise mindset
• Ability to multi-task and manage complex issues
• Ability to operate within a dynamic & ambiguous environment while maintaining integrity

Benefits & Rewards

The salary for this position is expected to range between $126,000 and $234,000 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.