About the Role
The Account Director, Patient Advocacy is a senior client and relationship lead responsible for building and stewarding partnerships between pharmaceutical/biotech clients and the patient advocacy community. This individual serves as the strategic architect of patient-centric programs — from PAG engagement strategy and co-created educational initiatives to patient ambassador programs, clinical trial awareness campaigns, and disease awareness campaigns.
This role demands equal parts strategic vision, relationship mastery, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate is deeply connected to — and deeply respectful of — the patient advocacy ecosystem and brings a track record of helping pharma clients build authentic, trust-based relationships with the organizations that serve patients most directly.
Why this role matters
- Patient advocacy organizations are increasingly co-equal partners in drug development, regulatory strategy, and market access — not just awareness channels
- Account Directors in this space shape how industry engages with PAGs: whether that engagement is transactional or transformative
- The best PAG engagement builds genuine trust, improves patient access and outcomes, and accelerates the development of therapies that matter
- This role is for someone who believes in that mission — and can help clients live up to it
Client Leadership & Strategic Counsel
- Serve as the primary senior client contact for patient advocacy-related programs, acting as a trusted strategic advisor on PAG engagement strategy, stakeholder mapping, and partnership development
- Lead development of annual PAG engagement plans aligned to clients' brand, pipeline, and corporate citizenship objectives
- Counsel clients on best practices for transparent, compliant, and mutually beneficial relationships with patient advocacy organizations, including grant-making, advisory boards, co-creation, and event sponsorships
- Proactively identify opportunities to deepen client-PAG partnerships and bring forward innovative program concepts that drive meaningful outcomes for patients
- Manage client relationships at the Director and VP level; navigate complex client organizations and multiple stakeholder groups with confidence and diplomacy
PAG Relationship Management
- Develop and maintain direct, trust-based relationships with key PAG leaders, executive directors, and patient community representatives across relevant therapeutic areas
- Serve as a knowledgeable and credible liaison between pharma clients and advocacy organizations — understanding each PAG's mission, priorities, funding model, and sensitivities
- Identify and cultivate new PAG partnership opportunities aligned to client pipeline and therapeutic focus
- Facilitate productive, respectful, and HIPPA compliant interactions between client teams and PAG stakeholders, including advisory board meetings, patient speaker programs, and co-creation workshops
- Maintain awareness of the broader PAG landscape including emerging organizations, coalitions, and patient community influencers
Program Development & Execution
- Oversee end-to-end delivery of patient advocacy programs including PAG grant programs, disease awareness campaigns, patient ambassador initiatives, health literacy content development, and clinical trial recruitment support
- Lead project scoping, resource planning, budgeting, and timeline management across multiple concurrent accounts and programs
- Partner with creative, scientific, regulatory, and digital teams to ensure program deliverables are strategically sound, medically accurate, patient-centered, and compliant
- Strong understanding of multichannel/omnichannel strategies
- Oversee MLR/PRC submission of PAG-related materials and navigate review processes with minimal disruption to program timelines
- Ensure all programs meet OIG, PhRMA, HIPPA, and client-specific compliance standards governing interactions with patient organizations
Agency Leadership & Team Development
- Manage, mentor, and develop teams fostering a culture of patient-centricity, accountability, and continuous learning
- Contribute to agency new business development including RFP responses, capabilities presentations, and organic growth opportunities within existing accounts
- Participate in thought leadership activities including conference presentations, white papers, and agency POV development on patient advocacy best practices
- Collaborate with department heads and senior leadership in practice area growth strategy
Required Qualifications
- 8–12+ years of progressive experience in a healthcare communications agency, medical communications firm, or pharma/biotech in-house environment
- Minimum 4 years of direct, hands-on experience managing patient advocacy programs, PAG partnerships, or patient engagement initiatives
- Demonstrated understanding of the patient advocacy landscape including major national and disease-specific PAGs, their funding structures, governance models, and priorities
- Proven track record managing senior client relationships and delivering complex, multi-stakeholder programs on time and on budget
- Fluency in pharma regulatory and compliance requirements governing PAG interactions including OIG guidelines, PhRMA Code, HIPPA, and FDA promotional standards
- Experience managing and developing junior account staff in an agency setting
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to develop and present compelling strategic recommendations to senior client stakeholders
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in public health, communications, life sciences, or related field a plus.