Director/Senior Director, Patient Advocacy & Engagement
Waltham, Massachusetts
Development – Medical Affairs /
Full-Time /
Hybrid
Who We Are
Cogent Biosciences is a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases. The most advanced clinical program, bezuclastinib, is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is designed to potently inhibit the KIT D816V mutation as well as other mutations in KIT exon 17. KIT D816V is responsible for driving systemic mastocytosis (SM), a serious disease caused by unchecked proliferation of mast cells. Exon 17 mutations are also found in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a type of cancer with strong dependence on oncogenic KIT signaling. Top-line results from registration-directed trials in NonAdvanced SM, Advanced SM and GIST are expected in 2025. The company also has an ongoing Phase 1 study of its novel internally discovered FGFR2 inhibitor. In addition, the Cogent Research Team is developing a portfolio of novel targeted therapies to help patients fighting serious, genetically driven diseases targeting mutations in ErbB2, PI3Kα and KRAS.
Our Team
We are seeking a Senior Director/Director, Patient Advocacy & Engagement. The successful candidate is someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about making an impact on the lives of patients with unmet medical needs. Reporting to the Vice President of Patient Advocacy, Engagement, & Innovation, this role will develop and execute strategic advocacy engagement initiatives for our Systemic Mastocytosis programs, ensuring alignment throughout the product development lifecycle, with a special focus on launch readiness and patient-centered outcomes. The Senior Director/Director will work collaboratively with cross functional team members to increase awareness of our programs in the patient community, bring the patient voice into the everyday operations of Cogent, and highlight critical patient insights to help inform strategic decision making.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute annual strategic and tactical plan for Patient Advocacy & Engagement to support our Systemic Mastocytosis programs, including commercial launch planning
- Lead our external patient and community engagement strategy through the identification, negotiation, and execution of mutually beneficial opportunities for strategic partnerships with relevant Patient Advocacy Groups and medical associations in alignment with company’s objectives
- Key member of the Core Launch Team and related workstreams for bezuclastinib
- Develop and execute innovative patient-facing educational resources and initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of Cogent’s programs, disease education, and optimizing access to care
- Support the development of global, national, and local patient advocacy organizations through relationship building, networking, connecting appropriate groups, and sharing best practices
- Partner with the Clinical Team to support recruitment efforts for Cogent’s clinical trials
- Gather and champion patient insights by conducting virtual and in-person patient advisory boards to inform key cross-functional initiatives and proactively share ongoing insights from patient advocacy group engagements
- Collaborate with cross-functional team members from Marketing, Market Access, Patient Services, Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Patient Recruitment, Regulatory, and Research to deliver on workstreams and initiatives that support program goals including clinical trial awareness, trial recruitment, and commercial launch efforts
- Oversee vendors for patient advocacy and engagement initiatives (e.g., patient webinars, patient videos, educational resources, digital initiatives, etc.) including management of budget, timelines, and deliverables
- Coordinate and plan Cogent’s presence at key patient meetings and participation in awareness days/months (e.g., sponsorships, materials, booth presence, employee engagement activities, etc.)
- Represent Cogent at U.S. and global patient advocacy meetings and events as well as key scientific congresses
- Develop metrics to measure the success of advocacy initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
- Continually innovate and elevate Cogent’s approach to patient advocacy and engagement
- Maintain a high level of cross-functional coordination, strategic planning, budget adherence, compliance, customer service and creativity in managing and executing all aspects of the patient advocacy and engagement function
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree is required
- 7-10+ years in patient advocacy, patient engagement, patient marketing, patient services or related experience in the pharmaceutical industry required; level commensurate with experience
- Deep understanding of commercialization and R&D, including experience with successful commercial product launches
- Experience developing innovative strategies and tactics to support global clinical trial recruitment efforts through effective collaboration with Patient Advocacy Groups and internal clinical teams
- Demonstrated success in navigating regulatory and legal compliance related to U.S. and global advocacy efforts
- Proven leadership and effective collaboration in cross-functional teams
- Experience in allergy/immunology, rare diseases, or oncology experience preferred
- Agile, strategic leader able to successfully navigate fast-paced environments
- Experience developing and executing patient-facing disease education and awareness resources/initiatives
- Experience in patient digital health initiatives and campaigns a plus (e.g., virtual booths, webinars, podcasts, social media platforms, CRM, paid search/SEO, etc.)
- Excellent organizational, planning, and interpersonal skills
- Self-starter who motivates, is detail-oriented, solutions-oriented, has tack, diplomacy, leadership skills and who has a flexible and positive approach
- Able to make sound decisions and communicate recommendations after careful consideration of various courses of action, decision support data, and regulatory environment
- Experience working with all levels of management and consulting with key business stakeholders with an ability to influence for greater outcomes
- Attention to detail and the ability to work individually, within a multi-disciplinary team, as well as with external partners and vendors
- Ability to travel to key U.S. and global congresses and patient events, as needed (Up to 30%)
- Role can be US-remote or located in one of our office locations: Waltham, MA or Boulder, CO
$225,000 - $290,000 a year
Target Bonus: 20-25%
Exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, and location.
Our Locations
Waltham, MA: Our Boston office includes an open office layout that has recently undergone a makeover designed for collaboration and giving our employees the best work place possible. Free access is provided for both on-site parking and gym facilities in the building.
Boulder, CO: We have just moved into our new state-of-the art Research Facility in the fast-growing biopharmaceutical hub in the greater Denver/Boulder corridor. Our CEO is based full-time in this location and we are proud to call this the home of Cogent’s discovery research organization.
Our Offer To You
To attract the very best talent, we offer a generous benefits package that includes competitive pay, performance-based bonus, stock options, insurance coverage (health, dental, life, and disability), competitive time-off, a 401(k) plan, and commuter/parking benefits.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to have a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
