Director, 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:

Scholar Rock is searching for an experienced patient engagement professional to set strategy and lead U.S. patient advocacy activities with primary focus on Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and expanding as appropriate to support for earlier pipeline programs including Cardiometabolic Disorders, Immunology, and Oncology.  As a member for the Corporate Affairs organization and reporting to the Vice President of Patient Advocacy, the individual will be an integral team member responsible for managing key advocacy group relationships and initiatives aligned to the business strategy. 

This role will advance Scholar Rock’s mission by:

·       Shaping business decisions based on patient & caregiver perspectives and insights.

·       Supporting access to treatment by educating and mobilizing the advocacy community, and identifying and elevating the voices of lived experience; and

·       Driving engagements that align to critical business priorities.

Working compliantly with internal stakeholders including Corporate Communications, Commercial, Medical Affairs, and Clinical Operations, the Director will be a key member of the cross-functional teams to advance Scholar Rock’s life-changing research.

• Partner in the development and execution of the patient advocacy strategy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and earlier pipeline programs aligned with brand planning and life cycle management processes.
• Collaborate with and advise program teams and functional leaders to deliver value on workstreams that support business goals, including optimizing access, disease state education, internal understanding of patient lived experiences, clinical study approaches.
• Represent community perspectives internally to consistently factor patient perspectives and insights into business decision-making processes.
• Provide regular updates to the business regarding the work and impact of patient advocacy programming and initiatives.
• Maintain and build relationships with key organizations and individuals serving the neuromuscular community and the communities aligned with pipeline programs.
• Attend key conferences and engagements to listen and learn from the patient community.
• Build and execute stakeholder engagement plans to maximize sponsorship benefits for patient-focused conferences and events.
• Identify lived experience voices (patients, caregivers, advocates) to support disease awareness and deepen connection to Scholar Rock’s mission.
• Maintain regular communication and feedback loop with key advocate stakeholders.
• Partner with legal, compliance and regulatory to ensure a compliant approach to all patient engagement and advocacy.
• Support the success of the advocacy team by taking initiative to grow and development themselves and championing the growth and development of team members. 

• Must thrive working in a fast-paced, innovative environment while remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to develop important relationships with key stakeholders, good conflict management and negotiation skills, ability to analyze complex issues to develop relevant and realistic plans, programs and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into action; excellent analytical skills and an ability to communicate complex issues in a simple way and to orchestrate plans to resolve issues and mitigate risks.
• Bachelor’s Degree
• 8+ years patient advocacy, patient engagement or related experience in the pharmaceutical industry required.  Rare Disease experience a plus.

• Understanding of the importance of strategic advocacy engagement across the full drug development lifecycle, (clinical through commercial availability).

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain compliant, authentic, and impactful relationships with the advocacy community

• Ability to prioritize and execute on multiple activities and meet aggressive deadlines.
• Ability to work individually, within a multi-disciplinary team, as well as with external partners and vendors.
• Strong skills of persuasion and ability to direct cross-functional activities to successful outcomes.
• Strong team player who is solution-oriented and resourceful
• Must embrace Scholar Rock’s values:  Focus on the Patient, Cultivate Curiosity, Collaborate with Purpose, Uphold High Standards, Accelerate Breakthroughs
• Excitement about the vision and mission of Scholar Rock
• Travel up to 30%

Scholar Rock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.