Director, Patient Educator Lead
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
4 days ago
On-site
Chicago, IL
Patient Advocacy
Role: Director, Patient Educator Lead (field-based)
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/community/professional organizations to expand education.
- Coordinate appropriate handoffs to Patient Access Managers (PAMs).
- Model best practices in patient engagement and ensure outcomes-driven interactions focused on disease understanding and readiness to discuss treatment with HCPs (approved/compliant messaging).
- Lead, coach, and develop Patient Educators via onboarding, field coaching, mentorship, and capability development.
- Establish engagement/compliance/execution expectations; own KPI performance and take corrective action through coaching and development.
- Conduct field observations, coaching sessions, and performance reviews; serve as escalation point for complex cases.
- Drive proactive field engagement with expectations, tracking, and accountability.
- Lead planning/execution of educational programs, speaker events, and community events; partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Advocacy, and Patient Support Services; capture and synthesize feedback to improve strategy and resources; ensure activities comply with legal/regulatory/company policies.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required (healthcare or life sciences preferred).
- 10+ years pharmaceutical/biotech experience in patient education/support/advocacy.
- Prior leadership/mentoring of a field-based team strongly preferred.
- Strong leadership/coaching/mentoring; exceptional communication and presentation skills; ability to translate complex science for patients.
- Knowledge of compliance/regulatory frameworks.
- Must live near a major airport; eligible to drive a company vehicle; travel up to 75% (independent overnight travel; occasional after-hours).
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.
Physical Requirements
- Regular standing/walking/sitting; reach/climb/stoop/kneel/crouch; lift/move up to 20 lbs; maintain communication while working in office and remotely; travel independently overnight/after-hours as needed.
Benefits/Compensation (as stated)
- Eligible for discretionary bonus and equity; Salary range: $190,000–$237,200 USD.
- Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity; medical/dental/vision; 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.
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/community/professional organizations to expand education.
- Coordinate appropriate handoffs to Patient Access Managers (PAMs).
- Model best practices in patient engagement and ensure outcomes-driven interactions focused on disease understanding and readiness to discuss treatment with HCPs (approved/compliant messaging).
- Lead, coach, and develop Patient Educators via onboarding, field coaching, mentorship, and capability development.
- Establish engagement/compliance/execution expectations; own KPI performance and take corrective action through coaching and development.
- Conduct field observations, coaching sessions, and performance reviews; serve as escalation point for complex cases.
- Drive proactive field engagement with expectations, tracking, and accountability.
- Lead planning/execution of educational programs, speaker events, and community events; partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Advocacy, and Patient Support Services; capture and synthesize feedback to improve strategy and resources; ensure activities comply with legal/regulatory/company policies.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required (healthcare or life sciences preferred).
- 10+ years pharmaceutical/biotech experience in patient education/support/advocacy.
- Prior leadership/mentoring of a field-based team strongly preferred.
- Strong leadership/coaching/mentoring; exceptional communication and presentation skills; ability to translate complex science for patients.
- Knowledge of compliance/regulatory frameworks.
- Must live near a major airport; eligible to drive a company vehicle; travel up to 75% (independent overnight travel; occasional after-hours).
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.
Physical Requirements
- Regular standing/walking/sitting; reach/climb/stoop/kneel/crouch; lift/move up to 20 lbs; maintain communication while working in office and remotely; travel independently overnight/after-hours as needed.
Benefits/Compensation (as stated)
- Eligible for discretionary bonus and equity; Salary range: $190,000–$237,200 USD.
- Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity; medical/dental/vision; 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.