Remote VP Medical Affairs, Advocacy & Professional Relations

Summary

Join a dynamic team at Annexon Biosciences as we seek a VP of Advocacy & Professional Relations to build global patient advocacy and professional society relations. The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of external relationship management experience, 10+ years in biopharmaceutical/industry experience, and 6+ years of direct patient advocacy experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• 15+ years of external relationship management (with nonprofit groups) and well-established contacts in the overall community
• 10+ years of biopharmaceutical/industry experience and 6+ years of direct patient advocacy experience
• A consistent track record of strategically building relationships with external organizations, which includes patient advocacy groups, professional societies, think tanks, and/or employer groups, to advance business objectives
• A strong understanding of bringing a product to market, including tactics and interventions vital to change perceptions and pathways to build a new disease state
• Ability to recognize challenges and identify innovative approaches to address
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and establishing strong cross functional relationships
• Understanding of non-profit organizations, independence and ability to operate with limited resources
• Effective communicator (verbal and written) and strong interpersonal skills that can build and progress relationships internally and externally
• Track record of leading advocacy strategies and campaigns - strategic thinker with solid understanding of drug development, regulatory, and commercial processes and proven understanding of relevant regulations and guidelines
• Demonstrated ability to influence others and lead without authority
• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to lead strategy projects, engage others and translate strategy into implementation tactics and capabilities with tangible results
• Strong executive presence and experience representing teams before senior leadership
• Ability to work effectively and share information within a remote, team environment
• Solid knowledge of the healthcare landscape such as hospital systems, various points of care, and the roles of relevant HCPs in the target TAs
• Capable of working independently to prioritize tasks, develop and implement action plans, and make sound, compliant decisions
• Strong understanding of compliance, and the legal and regulatory landscape as they relate to HCP interactions

Responsibilities

• Develop a cross functionally aligned and integrated Patient Advocacy and Professional Society Relations strategic engagement and execution plan in collaboration with Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Commercial, and Program Management
• Develop and drive global patient advocacy strategies across different stages of asset development
• Implement strategies to drive disease awareness, patient engagement, clinical trial awareness, and policy improvements
• Build and lead authentic relationships with advocacy groups, professional organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure productive partnerships and alliances
• Develop and execute Patient Advisory Boards, Leadership Councils and other forums to support key objectives and understand community needs
• Support local patient chapters through organizing events and education for Annexon’s disease and treatments of interest
• Oversee company-sponsored patient advocacy events to appropriately engage employees and champion the patient voice and experience to further the patient-centric mindset
• Represents Annexon at patient advocacy forums, conferences and scientific meetings to support partnerships and outcomes for patients
• Executes best practices and stays current of new developments and ideas in the field of advocacy relations and incorporates such developments, ideas and strategies into the development and execution of programs
• Ensures compliant and transparent stakeholder engagement and communications, and serves as a representative of the organization to ensure information communicated is accurate and up to date regarding organizational activities and industry trends
• Develop and execute projects to generate insights and analytics to understand patient and caregiver needs
• Driving recognition of Annexon’s disease areas of interest and availability, access, and adoption of validated and approved diagnostic or prognostic
• Offering expert counsel and mentoring to internal partners where community and patient perspective and engagement are critical factors for their success
• Seeking opportunities to build & manage partnerships, memberships and sponsorships that are implemented in a fully compliant manner

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in rare disease
• Experience in medical affairs and/or clinical R&D
• Therapeutic area experience in neurology/neuromuscular and immunology

Benefits

• A stimulating and rewarding workplace includes flexible work schedules, remote opportunities and the ability to achieve a work-life balance
• Our headquarters is in Brisbane, CA, with a shuttle service from BART, CalTrain and the Ferry
• Annexon offers a competitive base salary and equity participation, employee stock purchase plan, as well as a comprehensive health benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending plans, as well as other benefits