Director, Neuroscience, US Patient Advocacy

Key Responsibilities

• Build trusted, long-term relationships with patient organizations and communities in focused Multiple Sclerosis and other disease areas, centered on two-way communications and collaborations to advance shared priorities
• Partner with patient organizations to 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
• Develop and execute integrated patient advocacy strategies aligned to critical business and corporate priorities based on deep understanding of the patient/carer experience and unmet needs
• Ensure patient/carer insights and implications for launch and growth brands are systematically actioned across corporate affairs and with cross-functional partners
• Lead Patient Advocacy TA team, manage and develop talent
• Represent Novartis at key advocacy events and meetings
• Define priorities for TA grants and sponsorships
• 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
• Utilize corporate affairs function analytics and insights framework within scope of work
• Anticipate and manage risk to Novartis and brand reputation; advise business partners and leadership of reputational risk associated with specific activities or strategies
• Monitor and evaluate performance to achieve and maintain best-in-class outcomes, while being fully compliant
• Effectively manage budget and maximize agency ROI

Role Requirements:

• Success rate in achieving desired business objectives and outcomes for specified therapeutic area
• Leadership and functional alignment of strategies, priorities, and objectives across therapeutic area
• Utilization of OGSM framework planning approach with measurable results and assessment of business impact
• Success rate in identification, management, and resolution of critical issues
• Talent development and team feedback
• Feedback from internal stakeholders indicating strong collaboration and thought leadership
• Feedback from patient organizations and key advocates indicating impact and a positive and transparent image for Novartis
• Efficient management of resources (agency & grant/sponsorship ROI)

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required 
• 12+ years of experience in patient advocacy or related discipline with a healthcare and/or pharmaceutical background, prior experience in Multiple Sclerosis and/or other relevant disease areas preferred 
• Commercial launch experience 
• Leading teams/direct reports 
• Development and implementation of integrated plans and projects against business objectives and priorities 
• Influencing at a senior management level and navigating complexity
• Crisis and issues management    

Desirable Requirements:

• Strong sense of integrity 
• Understanding of US policy landscape