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Vice President, Medical Affairs, Advocacy and Professional Relations

San Francisco Bay Area or Remote (US)

Company: 

At Annexon Biosciences we are a biopharmaceutical company advancing a late-stage clinical platform of novel therapies for people living with devastating classical complement-mediated neuroinflammatory diseases of the body, brain, and eye. Our novel scientific approach targets upstream C1q to block the classical complement inflammatory cascade before it starts, and its therapeutic candidates are designed to provide meaningful benefits across multiple autoimmune, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic diseases. With proof-of concept data in Guillain-Barré syndrome, Huntington’s disease and geographic atrophy, we are rigorously advancing our mid-to late-stage clinical trials to bring new potential treatments to patients as quickly as possible. At Annexon, you’ll be part of a team committed to making an impact together.   

For more information on Annexon and our pipeline, check out our site Annexon Biosciences & Annexon Pipeline. We trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ANNX and are headquartered in Brisbane, CA. 

We're seeking exceptional talent from all backgrounds to fuel our growth. At Annexon, we're building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We value unique perspectives and unconventional paths. If you're the best candidate for the job, even if you don't perfectly fit the traditional mold, we encourage you to apply. Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and our company culture! 

Position:

Vice President of Advocacy & Professional Relations will be responsible for building a global patient advocacy function that will develop global awareness of neurodegenerative diseases, support patient programs, and integrate patient experience into the company’s business operations from discovery to commercialization, and across therapeutic areas (TAs). The VP of Advocacy & Professional Relationships will build relationships with key medical associations in Neurology and Ophthalmology and collaborate with various departments to maximize Annexon's engagement and support of patients and caregivers.

Responsibilities include:

  • Develop a cross functionally aligned and integrated Patient Advocacy and Professional Society Relations strategic engagement and execution plan in collaboration with Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Commercial, and Program Management
  • Develop and drive global patient advocacy strategies 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 alliances
  • Develop and execute Patient Advisory Boards, Leadership Councils and other forums to support key objectives and understand community needs
  • Support local patient chapters through organizing events and education for Annexon’s disease and treatments of interest
  • Oversee company-sponsored patient advocacy events to appropriately engage employees and champion the patient voice and experience to further the patient-centric mindset
  • Represents Annexon 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
  • Develop and execute projects to generate insights and analytics to understand patient and caregiver needs
  • Driving recognition of Annexon’s disease areas of interest and availability, access, and adoption of validated and approved diagnostic or prognostic
  • Offering expert counsel and mentoring to internal partners where community and patient perspective and engagement are critical factors for their success
  • Seeking opportunities to build & manage partnerships, memberships and sponsorships that are implemented in a fully compliant manner
  • Work with Legal and Compliance functions to outline appropriate guardrails related to engaging and influencing external environment 

Education, Experience, and Skills:

Required:

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • 15+ years of external relationship management (with nonprofit groups) and well-established contacts in the overall community
  • 10+ years of biopharmaceutical/industry experience and 6+ years of direct patient advocacy experience
  • A consistent track record of strategically building relationships with external organizations, which includes patient advocacy groups, professional societies, think tanks, and/or employer groups, to advance business objectives
  • A strong understanding of bringing a product to market, including tactics and interventions vital to change perceptions and pathways to build a new disease state
  • Ability to recognize challenges and identify innovative approaches to address
  • Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and establishing strong cross functional relationships
  • Understanding of non-profit organizations, independence and ability to operate with limited resources
  • 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
  • Demonstrated ability to influence others and lead without authority
  • Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to lead strategy projects, engage others and translate strategy into implementation tactics and capabilities with tangible results
  • Strong executive presence and experience representing teams before senior leadership
  • Ability to work effectively and share information within a remote, team environment
  • Solid knowledge of the healthcare landscape such as hospital systems, various points of care, and the roles of relevant HCPs in the target TAs\
  • Capable of working independently to prioritize tasks, develop and implement action plans, and make sound, compliant decisions
  • Strong understanding of compliance, and the legal and regulatory landscape as they relate to HCP interactions
  • Flexible travel based on business needs nationally and internationally

Preferred:

  • Experience in rare disease
  • Experience in medical affairs and/or clinical R&D
  • Therapeutic area experience in neurology/neuromuscular and immunology

Salary Range: $311,000 -$346,000

Location: Annexon Biosciences is located in Brisbane, California and preference is given to candidates in the San Fransisco Bay Area. This position may be on-site or remote (within the US).

Benefits: 

  • A stimulating and rewarding workplace includes flexible work schedules, remote opportunities and the ability to achieve a work-life balance.
  • Shuttle service from BART, CalTrain and the Ferry.
  • Annexon offers a competitive base salary and equity participation, employee stock purchase plan, as well as a comprehensive health benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending plans, and other benefits. 

Annexon Biosciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind.  We are committed to fostering an environment where ALL people are welcome and supported. We cultivate a culture of inclusion for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better business results. Creativity and innovation flourish in an environment of openness, inclusion, and mutual respect. 

Staffing Agencies: Annexon Biosciences does not accept unsolicited agency resumes and will not pay fees to any third-party agency or firm that doesn’t have a signed agreement with Annexon Biosciences. Please do not send agency CVs/resumes through Annexon’s website or Annexon Employees.  Inquiries must be sent to talentacquisition@annexonbio.com.

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