Director, Patient Educator Lead
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
4 days ago
On-site
Denver, CO
Patient Advocacy
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide 1:1 education to patients, caregivers, and families regarding PDP, Nuplazid, and ACADIA support resources using approved materials.
- Support patients and caregivers with empathy and professionalism; partner with advocacy organizations and community groups to expand education efforts.
- Coordinate appropriate handoffs to Patient Access Managers (PAMs).
- Model best practices in patient engagement, communication, and education delivery.
- Ensure interactions are outcomes-driven to improve understanding and readiness to engage in treatment discussions with HCPs (consistent with approved/compliant messaging).
Team Leadership & Performance Management
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Patient Educators through onboarding, field coaching, mentorship, and capability development.
- Establish expectations for engagement quality, compliance, execution, and proactive outreach.
- Own KPI performance; identify gaps and drive corrective action via coaching, feedback, and development planning.
- Conduct field observations and performance reviews; serve as escalation point for complex situations.
Strategic Execution & Program Development
- Drive KPI performance (interaction volume/quality, documentation, timely PAM handoffs) using data and field insights.
- Develop and manage annual team/individual MBOs; conduct quarterly assessments and implement coaching/corrective actions.
- Lead planning/execution of patient and caregiver educational programs and events; partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Advocacy, and Patient Support Services.
- Ensure activities comply with legal, regulatory, and company policies.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required (healthcare/life sciences preferred).
- 10+ years relevant pharmaceutical/biotech experience in patient education/support/advocacy.
- Prior experience leading/mentoring a field-based team strongly preferred.
- Patient education, navigation, clinical care, pharmacy, or community health education background highly valued.
- Strong leadership/coaching skills; exceptional communication/presentation; translate complex science for patients.
- Strong compliance understanding; compassionate, self-starting, able to operate independently.
- Reside near a major airport; eligibility to drive company vehicle; travel up to 75% (including occasional after-hours work).
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.
What we offer (US-based employees)
- Competitive base; discretionary bonus and equity eligibility; medical/dental/vision; employer-paid life/disability/business travel/EAP; 401(k) 1:1 match up to 5%; ESPP; 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; 10 days paid sick time; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.
- Provide 1:1 education to patients, caregivers, and families regarding PDP, Nuplazid, and ACADIA support resources using approved materials.
- Support patients and caregivers with empathy and professionalism; partner with advocacy organizations and community groups to expand education efforts.
- Coordinate appropriate handoffs to Patient Access Managers (PAMs).
- Model best practices in patient engagement, communication, and education delivery.
- Ensure interactions are outcomes-driven to improve understanding and readiness to engage in treatment discussions with HCPs (consistent with approved/compliant messaging).
Team Leadership & Performance Management
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Patient Educators through onboarding, field coaching, mentorship, and capability development.
- Establish expectations for engagement quality, compliance, execution, and proactive outreach.
- Own KPI performance; identify gaps and drive corrective action via coaching, feedback, and development planning.
- Conduct field observations and performance reviews; serve as escalation point for complex situations.
Strategic Execution & Program Development
- Drive KPI performance (interaction volume/quality, documentation, timely PAM handoffs) using data and field insights.
- Develop and manage annual team/individual MBOs; conduct quarterly assessments and implement coaching/corrective actions.
- Lead planning/execution of patient and caregiver educational programs and events; partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Advocacy, and Patient Support Services.
- Ensure activities comply with legal, regulatory, and company policies.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required (healthcare/life sciences preferred).
- 10+ years relevant pharmaceutical/biotech experience in patient education/support/advocacy.
- Prior experience leading/mentoring a field-based team strongly preferred.
- Patient education, navigation, clinical care, pharmacy, or community health education background highly valued.
- Strong leadership/coaching skills; exceptional communication/presentation; translate complex science for patients.
- Strong compliance understanding; compassionate, self-starting, able to operate independently.
- Reside near a major airport; eligibility to drive company vehicle; travel up to 75% (including occasional after-hours work).
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.
What we offer (US-based employees)
- Competitive base; discretionary bonus and equity eligibility; medical/dental/vision; employer-paid life/disability/business travel/EAP; 401(k) 1:1 match up to 5%; ESPP; 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; 10 days paid sick time; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.