Senior Manager, Patient Advocacy, Rare Disease Research Unit

ROLE SUMMARY

Engagement of rare disease patient communities and patient advocacy organizations throughout the drug development continuum is a critical success factor for Pfizer's Rare Disease Category. Direct involvement of patient advocacy organizations and patient communities in drug discovery and early development programs is required to advance our science and to enhance the quality of our programs to develop potential therapies that patients want , need, have access to and will adhere to.

The Senior Manager, Patient Advocacy will join the Rare Disease Research Unit's (RDRU's) efforts to (1) build new and early relationships with patient advocacy organizations and other patient-focused thought leaders that are strategic and in support of our prioritized therapeutic areas, (2) foster relationships and manage expectations with patient advocacy organizations/patient communities, (3) inculcate patient and advocacy insights, expertise and perspectives into RDRU discovery and early clinical research programs and (4) initiate innovative collaboration that advance and enhance the RDRU programs and Pfizer's Purpose Blueprint and Values.

This colleague will partner closely with internal functions (WRDM, RDRU, GPD, Corporate Affairs, Medical Affairs, Commercial Development, etc.) to develop and execute patient advocacy strategies, identify shared policy priorities, and provide transparent communications to advocacy groups for research programs. This colleague will work closely with the RDRU Patient Advocacy team to share best practices, advance Pfizer's culture of patient-centricity and build internal capabilities that support the vision of category leadership for Pfizer Rare Disease. The RDRU's current areas of priority include rare neurology, rare hematology, rare metabolic and rare cardiology.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with the patient advocacy leader to support patient advocacy plans and engagement strategies aligned with therapeutic area research and early clinical development initiatives to ensure patient perspectives and insights are gathered, incorporated and shaping the earliest stages of our Rare Disease Category's R&D programs.
  • Help to identify appropriate opportunities for patient advocacy organizations to support Pfizer Rare Disease R&D pipeline; inclusive of innovative collaborations which enable the advancement of RDRU scientific and early development programs.
  • Partner with RDRU scientists and clinical colleagues to identify key milestones and metrics for application of patient insights into scientific discovery and translation, development strategy, program design and operational execution.
  • Serve as key member of RDRU project teams.
  • Position Pfizer's RDRU as an attractive collaborator with patient advocacy associations and Foundations aligned with our strategic pipeline priorities.
• Serve as a Pfizer primary point of contact to help develop strong collaborations with patient advocacy groups that work in rare disease areas of interest to Pfizer's RDRU.
  • Act to facilitate engagements between advocacy associations and internal Pfizer subject matter experts to advance mission-matched priorities
  • Identify drug development policy initiatives of potential relevance for Pfizer.
  • Act as a resource for patient advocacy organizations in professionalizing and developing their capabilities (e.g. preclinical asset-development, developing natural history registries, disease education, understanding drug development, using social media, advancing clinical-trial readiness initiatives and thought-leadership).
• Work with internal, cross-functional colleagues (including but not limited to RDRU, Corporate Affairs, WRDM, Regulatory, GPD, Gene Therapy and Early Commercial, Medical Affairs and Commercial teams) to
  • Represent WRDM and Rare Disease Category interests at key internal and external initiatives
  • Advance/support Pfizer's patient-centric initiatives and communication work streams
  • Support Rare Disease Category priorities by providing patient advocacy perspective tied to pipeline portfolio
  • Help develop rare disease patient advocacy communications, ensuring appropriate, timely and transparent communications with patient advocacy organizations. Manage communication plan with advocacy per therapeutic area supporting.
  • Triage science/public policy priorities
  • Coordinate effective and efficient engagement strategies with rare disease community stakeholders consistent with end-to-end drug development model.
  • Provide internal subject matter expertise on the RDRU pipeline portfolio and patient engagement activities both internally and externally.
• Work with RDRU Patient Advocacy Lead to
  • Facilitate sharing of information and best practices of patient and patient advocacy engagement across pipeline rare disease programs.
  • Provide patient advocacy perspective to help direct strategy for the therapeutic area and programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.

Education

• Required: Masters with 5+ years or PhD with a few years minimum relevant experience in involving patients/advocacy/healthcare foundations in drug discovery, research and development, or industry experience engaging with advocacy associations/healthcare foundations or relevant experience.

Experience

• Patient advocacy experience in industry, patient advocacy organization or clinical practice with preferred experience in involving patient advocacy associations/ healthcare foundations in drug discovery and early clinical drug development.
• Demonstrated ability to develop meaningful relationships and use the 'soft skills' needed to connect well with patient advocacy groups; ability to express passion and empathy for families in need.
• Demonstrated understanding of scientific/mechanistic aspects of drug discovery, research and development and genetics.
• Demonstrated ability to partner well across multi-disciplinary teams. Must be able to balance multiple and often diverse priorities in order to align on a strategic and appropriate R&D plan.
• Confidence and organizational skills to independently work on multiple tasks, and effectively prioritize to meet personal and team goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; inclusive of being able to present complex and technical ideas and concepts both verbally and written to multiple stakeholders
• Experience in rare diseases and rare genetic cardiac indications strongly preferred.
• Able to embody Pfizer' Purpose Blueprint and Values & Behaviors.
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally in support of objectives

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Kendall Sq/Cambridge-based position
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally in support of objectives. Given the nature of the role, and the weekend nature of many advocacy events, the incumbent will need to travel on/over weekends. Total travel time approximated to be ~20%

OTHER JOB DETAILS

Eligible for Employee Referral Bonus

Pfizer requires all U.S. new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Pfizer will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.

Sunshine Act

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EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.

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