Primary Purpose of the Position:
The primary purpose of this position is to lead the patient advocacy component of External Affairs under the direction of the Vice President for External Affairs. The Director will be responsible for delivering on BIO’s efforts to build ethical, mutual and enduring partnerships with patient, research and consumer advocacy organizations as well as other healthcare stakeholders to advance public policy in support of BIO’s vision and mission.
The Director, Alliance Development will provide strategic recommendations to the Vice President of External Affairs and will execute on BIO’s federal alliance advocacy activity under the VP’s direction.
Because patients are at the heart of BIO’s mission, this position will also be responsible for gaining key insights from the patient, research and consumer advocacy communities to help inform BIO’s decision making.
The Director will also administer the Alliance grants program under the direction of the VP, will be accountable for generating revenue for patient advocacy focused initiatives including aspects of Convention and the annual Patient and Health Advocacy Summit.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Develop and maintain strong relationships with federal policy-focused patient, research and consumer advocates and other important stakeholders and influencers:
- Lead BIO’s engagement in patient advocacy coalitions to drive engagement on issues primarily related to value, access and reimbursement
- Serve as a liaison and resource between BIO and the advocacy community on federal policy issues.
- Educate stakeholders on BIO’s objectives, the value of medicines, policy priorities and other issues as defined.
- Oversee patient advocacy programming including Coffee Chats, issue briefings and outreach to third-party stakeholders.
- At the Director level, employee will be expected to participate in patient advocacy corporate advisory councils.
- Employee will lead BIO’s presence at patient advocacy groups’ annual meetings, retreats and conferences as appropriate, and will represent BIO and BIO member company priorities and interests, either independently or alongside the Vice President.
- Manage the BIO staff-level Alliance Development Committee under VP’s direction.
- Serve as a connector and a source of credible information by consistently delivering meaningful opportunities and relevant communications to advocates.
Advise on all aspects of BIO’s signature patient advocacy programs:
- Director is part of the team that develops best in class programs and sessions for BIO’s annual convention and Patient Health and AdvocacySummit under the Vice President’s oversight. This annual event draws 300+ attendees for 1½ - 2 days of policy-focused educational programming and networking.
- Note that sourcing, travel and logistical support is led by the BIO Events team, and the Senior Manager for External Affairs serves as the primary liaison to that team.
- The Director, Patient Advocacy and Alliances will be responsible for developing the substance under VP direction -- including detailed program sessions and identifying speakers to strategically deliver on BIO’s patient advocacy goals.
- Director will coordinate closely and consistently with Senior Manager, External Affairs to ensure program development is aligned with BIO’s priorities for patient advocacy engagement
Support effective fundraising via the Alliance Development Committee for all BIO Alliance Development programming
- Enhance revenue for BIO annual convention events related to patient advocacy: Patient Advocacy Pavilion, breakfast, receptions, other events
- Drive sponsorship for the Annual Patient and Health Advocacy Summit
Effectively, clearly and regularly communicate goals, milestones, events and logistical information to internal and cross functional teams, as appropriate.
- Contribute to External Relations and FGR strategies and provide insights to BIO regarding advocates’ perspectives and needs.
- Coordinate with teammates to ensure customer outreach is coordinated and strategic.
- Routinely report and act upon relevant information gleaned from participation in patient advocacy corporate advisory boards to External Affairs team.
- Contribute to strategy development pertaining to the BIO Alliance Development operational, outreach and events budget
- Develop strategic funding priorities for BIO's Charitable Grants Program, subject to Vice President, External Affairs review.
Knowledge and Skills Required:
- Strong preference will be given to individuals who have worked for a biopharmaceutical trade association or company in a public affairs, government affairs, advocacy or alliance development function
- Outstanding relationship management abilities and strong interpersonal skills
- Superb communications skills, both written and interpersonal.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Understanding of the federal legislative and reimbursement environment including Medicare Part B, Part D and Medicaid
- Ability to work effectively with groups across the political spectrum.
- Strong desire to contribute to team success, with a genuine enthusiasm for supporting team members efforts
- Experience engaging patient advocacy organizations preferred
- Required travel: limited (less than 10%)
- Note: This position will not receive administrative assistant / coordinator support and is expected to maintain their own calendar, set up their own meetings and handle their own expense reports and other tasks in a timely manner.
Education and Experience Required:
- Undergraduate degree required from a four-year institution.
- 7+ years of experience, preferably working for or with biopharmaceutical trade associations or companies in public affairs, government affairs, advocacy or alliance development
- Credibility among biopharmaceutical companies, healthcare policy stakeholders, coalitions and / or patient advocacy organizations.
- This position is based at BIO headquarters in Washington DC and is not eligible for remote work.
