To create and manage mutually beneficial relationships with patient organizations, caregiver organizations and related stakeholders in the region/country with extended support to cross-functional patient engagement opportunities, to develop patient/caregiver-inclusion initiatives that help Novartis to get the right gene therapy to the right patient at the right time with integrity and in compliance with internal and external policies.
This position will support the transformational role of the patient advocacy function for impact and the evolution of the patient experience throughout Novartis, further supporting the Novartis Commitment to Patients and Caregivers. This role leads the implementation of patient advocacy projects integrating communication and social media, in addition to other functions where necessary. .
Major Responsibilities:
• Develop the local patient advocacy strategy for gene therapy and inherited retinal disease (IRD) and simplify the above country work, facilitating local uptake and implementation.
• Support an integrated approach with Communications, Digital and Social Media with cross-functional collaboration.
• Ensure appropriate uptake of the patient engagement framework and execution throughout the organization.
• Manage the relationship with local patient opinion leaders and patient organisations developing a common strategic agenda, bringing patient insights and impactful partnership opportunities.
• Lead the local advocacy mapping exercise of retina/blind/vision and rare disease organisations, set expectations around supply and cross-border access directives.
• Engage patient organizations, where relevant, to focus on IRDs with possible solutions and support to patients.
• Partner with stakeholders to identify initiatives where the patient perspective and participation is required and support its execution (i.e. genetic testing and counselling, patient experience data, patient database/registry, patient support program etc.).
• Facilitate the inclusion of the patient and caregiver perspective among cross-functional projects (development, patient access, public affairs, medical affairs).
• Document the national and IRD centre(s) (surgery/follow-up) patient and caregiver journey in detail and ensure an efficient process for each individual enhancing patient outcomes. Develop companion materials where needed.
• Participate in multi-stakeholder projects where local patient opinion leaders are involved (i.e. Access to healthcare, HTA projects, capacity building, etc.)
• Facilitate educational activities about gene therapy and inherited retinal disease.
• Accountable for identifying and replicating patient advocacy best practices.
• Follow and promote compliance for patient organizations and patient interactions as stated in the policy and guidelines.Minimum requirements• Postgraduate (MSc/MA) or Equivalent in a relevant field
• Fluent English, second language beneficial (eg German, French)
• +5 years’ experience working with patient organizations within the pharmaceutical industryDivisionPHARMABusiness UnitGlobal CommunicationLocationSwitzerlandSiteBaselCompany/Legal EntityNovartis Pharma AGFunctional AreaCommunications & Public AffairsJob TypeFull TimeEmployment TypeRegular
