Lead Patient Educator

Role Summary

The Lead Patient Educator is a field-based leader within ACADIA’s commercial organization, supporting patients and caregivers living with Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP) while guiding a team of Patient Educators. This role combines direct patient and caregiver engagement with leadership responsibilities, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration to educate around PDP and connect patients to ACADIA’s services and resources. Reports into Marketing and bridges early engagement with Health Care Providers and adherence initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Direct Patient & Caregiver Engagement: Deliver 1:1 education (virtual and in-person) to patients, caregivers, and families on PDP, Nuplazid, and ACADIA Connect using approved materials; provide support and ensure patients and caregivers feel heard and connected throughout their journey; partner with advocacy groups, community organizations, and professional societies to expand reach and impact; coordinate handoffs to Patient Access Managers for coverage and access.
• Team Leadership & Coaching: Mentor and role model to Patient Navigators, provide coaching and professional development; lead onboarding and training of new Patient Navigators; monitor team performance and provide feedback to drive excellence and compliance; act as primary escalation for complex patient/caregiver situations and guide team members.
• Program Development & Execution: Lead planning and execution of educational programs, workshops, and webinars; coordinate field-supported patient events and speaker programs; partner with Marketing, Advocacy, and Sales to identify opportunities for education and engagement initiatives.
• Insights: Collaborate with Marketing to support patient and caregiver advisory boards; capture and synthesize insights to inform brand strategy and resource development; identify unmet educational needs and propose solutions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with Field Sales, Patient Support Services, Marketing, and Advocacy to increase disease awareness and support earlier diagnosis; maintain knowledge of PDP, Nuplazid, and patient services; represent patient/caregiver perspective in strategic discussions; ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and company policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree required; healthcare or life sciences preferred. Advanced degree preferred.
• 8‚Äì10 years of relevant pharmaceutical/biotech experience with a focus on patient support, education, or advocacy.
• Prior experience leading or mentoring a field-based team strongly preferred.
• Background in patient navigation, clinical care, pharmacy, or community health education valued.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills with ability to develop others.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills; ability to translate complex science into patient-friendly language.
• Compassionate, patient-focused mindset with ability to navigate sensitive conversations with empathy.
• Self-starter in a fast-paced environment with innovation in patient engagement.
• Strong understanding of compliance and regulatory frameworks within pharma/biotech.
• Field-based role requiring ~60% travel, including some evenings and weekends; proximity to a major airport essential.
• English/Spanish bilingual is a plus.

Skills

• Patient-Centered Focus
• Empathy & Emotional Intelligence
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Strong Communication
• Adaptability & Initiative
• Privacy, Compliance & Confidentiality

Education

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree required; healthcare or life sciences preferred. Advanced degree preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Travel up to ~60% of the time; must reside within the territory or within 30 miles of its border and near a major airport; eligible to drive a company vehicle; ability to travel by air independently.