Associate Director, Patient Engagement and Advocacy

Summit Therapeutics

1d•$169,000 - $198,000

About The Position

Summit Therapeutics is seeking a dynamic and strategic Associate Director of Patient Engagement and Advocacy to support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of patient engagement and advocacy strategies for ivonescimab across oncology indications, including bladder, breast, and gynecological cancer. The role helps ensure patient perspectives are considered in Medical Affairs planning, clinical trial awareness, patient education, and external stakeholder engagement. The Associate Director collaborates with internal functions and external partners to support compliant, patient-centered programs aligned with Summit’s scientific, clinical, and business objectives. The ideal candidate has experience in patient advocacy, oncology, stakeholder engagement, and project management, and can operate effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative, launch-oriented environment. Domestic and international travel may be required, estimated at approximately 20–30% as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as public health, nursing, pharmacy, life sciences, social work, or a healthcare-related discipline.
At least 5 years of relevant experience in patient advocacy, patient engagement, Medical Affairs, oncology, or related roles within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare industry.
Experience supporting or leading patient engagement, advocacy, education, or external stakeholder programs in a cross-functional environment.
Understanding of healthcare compliance requirements, patient advocacy engagement principles, and regulatory considerations relevant to pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations.
Strong project management, organizational, and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex scientific and clinical information into clear, patient-appropriate language.
Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, matrixed, and fast-paced organization.
Proficiency with standard Microsoft Office applications.
High attention to detail, accuracy, confidentiality, and sound judgment when managing sensitive information and external stakeholder interactions.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and ability to work independently while escalating issues appropriately.
Ability to adapt to shifting priorities, manage time-sensitive deliverables, and work collaboratively.
Domestic and international travel may be required, approximately 20–30% of the time as needed.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a relevant field.
Experience in oncology and launch-stage organizations.
Experience working with patient advocacy organizations, external vendors, healthcare professionals, academic institutions, and patient or caregiver communities.
Experience managing budgets, timelines, vendor relationships, documentation, and compliance review processes.
Experience with electronic document management systems, project management tools, and document review platforms.

Responsibilities

Support development and execution of pre-, peri-, and post-launch patient engagement and advocacy strategies for ivonescimab.
Assess patient engagement and education needs related to ivonescimab and support development of programs, resources, and external partnerships to address identified gaps.
Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate appropriate patient insights into clinical development, Medical Affairs, and commercialization planning.
Engage patient advocacy organizations, clinical experts, and other external stakeholders to understand patient and caregiver needs, disease burden, educational gaps, and collaboration opportunities.
Support patient-friendly communication of scientific and clinical information, including developing and reviewing clear, accurate, compliant educational materials.
Monitor patient advocacy trends, oncology patient engagement best practices, and evolving external stakeholder needs to inform continuous improvement of programs.
Support planning and execution of patient advocacy activities at medical congresses, advisory boards, educational programs, and other Medical Affairs initiatives as appropriate.
Partner with internal teams and external vendors to manage project timelines, budgets, documentation, compliance reviews, and program deliverables.
Develop metrics, status updates, and insights summaries to communicate program progress, stakeholder feedback, and improvement opportunities to Medical Affairs leadership.