Vice President, Patient Advocacy

Scholar Rock is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers life-changing therapies for people with serious diseases that have high unmet need. As a global leader in the biology of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily of cell proteins and named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures, the clinical-stage company is focused on advancing innovative treatments where protein growth factors are fundamental. Over the past decade, the company has created a pipeline with the potential to advance the standard of care for neuromuscular disease, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer, and other conditions where growth factor-targeted drugs can play a transformational role.   Scholar Rock is the only company to show clinical proof of concept for a muscle-targeted treatment in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This commitment to unlocking fundamentally different therapeutic approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. By harnessing cutting-edge science in disease spaces that are historically under-addressed through traditional therapies, Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients. Learn more about the company’s approach at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock and on LinkedIn.

Summary of Position:

Reporting to Vice President, Head of Corporate Affairs & Investor Relations, the VP of Patient Advocacy will be responsible for building a global patient advocacy function that will drive global awareness, support patient programs, and will integrate the patient experience into the company’s business operations from discovery to commercialization, and across therapeutic areas. The Head of Advocacy will work cross-functionally with Corporate Communications, Program Management, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and Clinical Operations to maximize Scholar Rock’s engagement and support of patients and caregivers. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop and drive global patient advocacy strategy 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 alliance
• Develop and execute Patient Advisory Boards, Patient Leadership Councils and other forums to support key objectives and understand community needs
• Conceive and execute project to generate insights and analytics to understand patient and caregiver needs
• Identify opportunities and tailor solutions for internal and external projects within a therapeutic area
• Oversee company-sponsored patient advocacy events to appropriately engage employees and champion the patient voice and experience to further the patient-centric mindset
• Represents Scholar Rock 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.

Candidate Requirements:

• 12+years of biopharmaceutical/industry experience and 6+ years of direct patient advocacy experience
• 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
• Experience in rare disease (preferred)
• Ability to lead and independently drive projects forward with tangible results
• Ability to solve challenges and resolve conflicts with sound judgement and minimal supervision
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize tasks, and successfully management multiple projects
• Bachelors degree required