Director, Global Patient Advocacy Lead
Alexion, Boston, MA, United States
Reporting to VP Global Head Patient Experience, this position is part of Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease Patient Experience team and is responsible for leading the Global patient advocacy strategy and patient engagement within the Alexion Rare Disease Business unit and may span multiple disease within the current portfolio and pipeline.
This role will drive the global strategy to find opportunities to understand and support the patient journey including accelerating the time to diagnosis, disease awareness and resources, treatment advances, and providing caregiver support to improve health outcomes.
The Director, Patient Advocacy will be responsible for driving, building and enhancing strategic alliances with both disease-specific advocacy organizations and those that span across disease area umbrella groups, as well as other rare/ultra-rare disease-oriented organizations in response to patient needs to drive Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease global patient advocacy strategic goals.
In this role you will enhance Alexion’s commitment and demonstration of patient centricity. Through understanding of the patient community, this individual will bring the patient perspective into Alexion Astra Zeneca Rare Disease decision making.
You will be responsible for:
Establish Alexion as a strong partner to the global relevant patient communities, promoting strategic, long-term partnerships by strengthening existing collaborations and identifying new groups for partnership and engagement.
Shape and coordinate the execution of global patient advocacy strategy and plans across disease areas in scope through effective cross‑functional partnerships with Therapeutic Area leaders of Alexion’s Medical and Commercial organizations, and coordinate with critical internal partners.
Advance patient‑focused drug development, ensuring strategic partnership with rare disease communities in support of R&D programs and clinical trials, working closely with Global Patient Insights and Solutions (GPIS) to facilitate early patient engagement and insights activities and support clinical trial awareness and recruitment.
Lead patient identification, engagement, and relationship development to support PEX‑organized frameworks (STAR workshops, Patient Friction Coefficients, Patient Insights Forum, etc.) to ensure effective cross‑sectional representation of patients and caregivers within those platforms.
Promote patient‑partnered alliances and initiatives with PAGs to advance access and equity by shaping policies and guidelines informed by lived experience of patients and caregivers. Partner closely with the Corporate Affairs team to drive actions supporting system changes and policy positions that embrace innovation and optimal treatment across the disease areas in scope.
Link appropriate patient groups with the information and resources needed to support patients and caregivers in advocating for appropriate care; build a sense of community and collaboration among these groups and with Alexion.
Serve as a liaison to the rare disease community, working with global colleagues on cross‑disease initiatives while prioritizing disease‑specific work, ensuring coordinated outreach and further establishing Alexion’s external rare disease leadership.
Support collection of patient and caregiver insights and proactively and routinely share and integrate insights from patient advocacy groups to shape programs, research, and activities related to Alexion programs.
Lead internal patient‑centricity sessions and represent Alexion externally at patient‑focused congresses and meetings to enhance corporate reputation and connections with patient communities.
Align closely with other AstraZeneca business units toward optimal alignments and coordinated approach to partnering with patient groups and communities shared across different areas of work.
Partner closely with all in‑country patient advocacy teams (US, EUCAN & International, China, Japan) to provide strategic guidance, actional frameworks, and resources; ensure alignment and synergies between global and local patient advocacy strategies and plans, supporting local teams in delivering key projects, initiatives, and the effective participation of local PAG leaders in global PEX initiatives.
Represent Patient Advocacy in relevant TA cross‑functional leadership teams, ensuring the patient advocacy perspective is integrated and reflected in internal strategies, plans, and decision‑making.
Provide impactful points of connection for patient advocacy groups with Alexion employees and senior leaders.
Essential Skills/Experience:
Bachelor’s degree
10+ years of progressive industry/relevant professional experience or 7+ years of patient advocacy experience, including in global/international roles
Solid knowledge and established connections with the global rare disease advocacy community
Ability to lead with influence in a complex internal matrix
Broad knowledge of the biopharma industry; solid understanding of drug development, HEOR, product launch, access and reimbursement, and commercialization and compliant patient engagement
Robust knowledge of current compliance, legal, regulatory and other issues that impact the biopharmaceutical industry and its protocols for patient engagement
Outstanding interpersonal skills, ability to influence without authority, and ability to work with global colleagues efficiently across functions in a complex organization
Strong ability to initiate and maintain partnerships with key internal and external partners and work cross‑functionally to identify and prioritize company goals with patient advocacy groups
Excellent project, vendor and budget management to deliver business results
Desirable Skills/Experience:
Existing relationships with disease‑specific organizations such as relevant rare disease groups
Experience managing product launches and life cycle management in a co‑promotion framework
Proven experience providing leadership and direction to agency partners
Knowledge of healthcare systems within individual markets, especially ex‑US
When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life‑changing medicines. In‑person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.
Joining Alexion means working where every day is driven by the needs of people living with rare and devastating diseases, where diverse perspectives are welcomed, different thinking is encouraged, kindness sits alongside ambition, and teams are empowered to innovate at pace while staying closely connected to the communities they serve.
Ready to help redefine what patient‑driven really looks like in rare disease advocacy? Apply now!
The annual base pay for this position ranges from $151,753 to $227,630. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short‑term incentive bonuses, equity‑based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (vacation, holiday, leaves) and health, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.
Date Posted: 01-Apr-2026
Closing Date: 14-Apr-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.
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This role will drive the global strategy to find opportunities to understand and support the patient journey including accelerating the time to diagnosis, disease awareness and resources, treatment advances, and providing caregiver support to improve health outcomes.
The Director, Patient Advocacy will be responsible for driving, building and enhancing strategic alliances with both disease-specific advocacy organizations and those that span across disease area umbrella groups, as well as other rare/ultra-rare disease-oriented organizations in response to patient needs to drive Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease global patient advocacy strategic goals.
In this role you will enhance Alexion’s commitment and demonstration of patient centricity. Through understanding of the patient community, this individual will bring the patient perspective into Alexion Astra Zeneca Rare Disease decision making.
You will be responsible for:
Establish Alexion as a strong partner to the global relevant patient communities, promoting strategic, long-term partnerships by strengthening existing collaborations and identifying new groups for partnership and engagement.
Shape and coordinate the execution of global patient advocacy strategy and plans across disease areas in scope through effective cross‑functional partnerships with Therapeutic Area leaders of Alexion’s Medical and Commercial organizations, and coordinate with critical internal partners.
Advance patient‑focused drug development, ensuring strategic partnership with rare disease communities in support of R&D programs and clinical trials, working closely with Global Patient Insights and Solutions (GPIS) to facilitate early patient engagement and insights activities and support clinical trial awareness and recruitment.
Lead patient identification, engagement, and relationship development to support PEX‑organized frameworks (STAR workshops, Patient Friction Coefficients, Patient Insights Forum, etc.) to ensure effective cross‑sectional representation of patients and caregivers within those platforms.
Promote patient‑partnered alliances and initiatives with PAGs to advance access and equity by shaping policies and guidelines informed by lived experience of patients and caregivers. Partner closely with the Corporate Affairs team to drive actions supporting system changes and policy positions that embrace innovation and optimal treatment across the disease areas in scope.
Link appropriate patient groups with the information and resources needed to support patients and caregivers in advocating for appropriate care; build a sense of community and collaboration among these groups and with Alexion.
Serve as a liaison to the rare disease community, working with global colleagues on cross‑disease initiatives while prioritizing disease‑specific work, ensuring coordinated outreach and further establishing Alexion’s external rare disease leadership.
Support collection of patient and caregiver insights and proactively and routinely share and integrate insights from patient advocacy groups to shape programs, research, and activities related to Alexion programs.
Lead internal patient‑centricity sessions and represent Alexion externally at patient‑focused congresses and meetings to enhance corporate reputation and connections with patient communities.
Align closely with other AstraZeneca business units toward optimal alignments and coordinated approach to partnering with patient groups and communities shared across different areas of work.
Partner closely with all in‑country patient advocacy teams (US, EUCAN & International, China, Japan) to provide strategic guidance, actional frameworks, and resources; ensure alignment and synergies between global and local patient advocacy strategies and plans, supporting local teams in delivering key projects, initiatives, and the effective participation of local PAG leaders in global PEX initiatives.
Represent Patient Advocacy in relevant TA cross‑functional leadership teams, ensuring the patient advocacy perspective is integrated and reflected in internal strategies, plans, and decision‑making.
Provide impactful points of connection for patient advocacy groups with Alexion employees and senior leaders.
Essential Skills/Experience:
Bachelor’s degree
10+ years of progressive industry/relevant professional experience or 7+ years of patient advocacy experience, including in global/international roles
Solid knowledge and established connections with the global rare disease advocacy community
Ability to lead with influence in a complex internal matrix
Broad knowledge of the biopharma industry; solid understanding of drug development, HEOR, product launch, access and reimbursement, and commercialization and compliant patient engagement
Robust knowledge of current compliance, legal, regulatory and other issues that impact the biopharmaceutical industry and its protocols for patient engagement
Outstanding interpersonal skills, ability to influence without authority, and ability to work with global colleagues efficiently across functions in a complex organization
Strong ability to initiate and maintain partnerships with key internal and external partners and work cross‑functionally to identify and prioritize company goals with patient advocacy groups
Excellent project, vendor and budget management to deliver business results
Desirable Skills/Experience:
Existing relationships with disease‑specific organizations such as relevant rare disease groups
Experience managing product launches and life cycle management in a co‑promotion framework
Proven experience providing leadership and direction to agency partners
Knowledge of healthcare systems within individual markets, especially ex‑US
When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life‑changing medicines. In‑person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.
Joining Alexion means working where every day is driven by the needs of people living with rare and devastating diseases, where diverse perspectives are welcomed, different thinking is encouraged, kindness sits alongside ambition, and teams are empowered to innovate at pace while staying closely connected to the communities they serve.
Ready to help redefine what patient‑driven really looks like in rare disease advocacy? Apply now!
The annual base pay for this position ranges from $151,753 to $227,630. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short‑term incentive bonuses, equity‑based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (vacation, holiday, leaves) and health, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.
Date Posted: 01-Apr-2026
Closing Date: 14-Apr-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.
#J-18808-Ljbffr