We are currently developing voclosporin, an investigational therapy, for the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN) and other proteinuric diseases. We are also advancing voclosporin ophthalmic solution (VOS), a topical formulation, for the treatment of dry eye syndrome (DES). And we are actively hunting for other innovative drugs which have the potential to change the lives of people with rare autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

The Director Advocacy Relations role is a critically important and highly visible position within Aurinia Pharmaceuticals. As an integral member of the Professional Relations and Advocacy team, this position collaborates with external partners and internal cross- functional team members to maximize patient and caregiver education, awareness and engagement opportunities for Aurinia. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with external third-party organizations to align on shared implementation plans and deliverables. As such, he/she will build and sustain trusting and effective working partnerships with patient advocacy and allied healthcare professional association leaders and members. This role will bring new ideas to advocacy in order to raise the profile of the healthy disparities of lupus nephritis in the external advocacy community and will find better ways for support and engagement within the advocacy communities. He/she will also support the Professional and Advocacy Relations staff in their various regions to ensure continuity and consistency in messaging and execution. Impactful communication and focus on achieving objectives in collaboration with various team members will ensure successful execution of professional society, patient advocacy, and patient initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Leads the internal Advocacy Relations stakeholders group to facilitate the communication and collaboration within Aurinia with our various external advocacy stakeholders. Key partners are marketing, corporate affairs, medical, market access, government affairs, patient services
• Advances existing and fosters new trusted, long term relationships with advocacy partners across lupus and lupus nephritis for Aurinia
• Identifies key priorities of patient advocacy groups and develops and implements plans to grow partnerships and support strategic initiatives; conversely, he/she will match key internal priorities to key societies and partnerships to maximize the potential of advancing diagnosis and treatment of lupus nephritis and elevating health disparities and need for better treatment and care
• Executes sophisticated yearlong communication plan in partnership with our corporate affairs and marketing teams to drive disease state awareness with patient and caregiver communities throughout the year with specific programs for their respective designated awareness months and other key dates within the year.
• Develops a proven understanding of key external and internal trends affecting patient and consumer engagement and utilizes this knowledge to enhance company’s patient advocacy experience in new forms of patient/consumer interactions such as social media and patient online communities
• Brings the voice of patients into Aurania’s capabilities, including Clinical Trial Design, Evidence Generation, Direct-to-Patient Marketing, Corporate Communications, Policy, and Value and Access
• Partners with corporate communications to create and implement a plan to maximize reach and impact of education and awareness initiatives
• Brings the “voice of the patient/caregiver” and understanding of the external healthcare environment to internal teams.
• Provides support and oversee multiple patient facing events, corporate leadership meetings, etc
• Represents Aurinia at medical and patient meetings to the highest ethical and professional standard

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• A minimum of 10 years of patient advocacy or advocacy relations or similar function/experience is required; 15 years is preferred Experience in lupus nephritis is preferred
• Proven ability to demonstrate impact on patient care by working in a cross functional environment and ability to handle multiple tasks is required
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with patient advocacy groups, professional associations and other stakeholders is required
• Sensitivity to diverse groups of people both internal and external with the ability to manage many different opinions and perspectives, including tolerance for ambiguity
• Demonstrated reputation internally and externally as a well-respected, dynamic team player
• Empathetic and passionate individual with the ability to build meaningful connections with stakeholders
• Applicant must possess an understanding and knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, competitors, advocacy, healthcare delivery, regulatory process & compliance guidelines and policy environment.
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills and an ability to adapt one’s approach to a challenge
• The ability to travel approximately 30% of time, including many weekends is required This position is a remote role and can be located anywhere in the United States where there is proximity to an airport
• Previous experience communicating the value of innovation and addressing access barriers to care preferred
• Ability to assimilate complex medical knowledge and communicate to non-medical audiences
• Capable of managing shifting priorities in a rapidly changing environment

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.