Head of Rare Disease Patient Engagement
About The Position
The Head of Rare Disease Patient Engagement is responsible for leading Biogen's patient engagement strategy across the Rare Disease portfolio, overseeing patient support programs, specialty pharmacy operations, hub services, and the overall patient experience. This role ensures patients can access, start, and remain on therapy through innovative, patient-centered solutions that support both patient outcomes and business objectives. Working closely with Commercial, Market Access, Medical, Digital, Analytics, Legal, Compliance, and Patient Services teams, this leader develops and executes strategies that enhance patient access, adherence, and engagement throughout the treatment journey. The role also oversees key vendor and specialty pharmacy partnerships, drives operational excellence, and leverages data and insights to continuously improve program performance. Success in this role requires a strategic, collaborative leader who can influence across a complex matrix organization, drive meaningful change, and deliver a best-in-class experience for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- 12+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare services, or specialty pharmacy industry.
- 10+ years of experience leading patient support services, patient access programs, specialty pharmacy operations, hub services, or related commercial functions.
- Experience supporting rare disease, specialty therapeutics, or other high-touch patient populations.
- Strong understanding of complex patient journeys, reimbursement, access, affordability, specialty pharmacy distribution, and patient support operations.
- Proven experience designing, implementing, and optimizing patient support programs for both launch and established products.
- Expertise in specialty pharmacy strategy, hub operations, vendor management, service delivery, and patient engagement program management.
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives within highly matrixed organizations.
- Strong business acumen, including experience managing budgets, program investments, and performance metrics.
- Proven ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment across diverse stakeholders.
- Strong executive presence with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate data and insights into actionable business recommendations.
- Demonstrated accountability, sound judgment, and effectiveness in complex, evolving environments.
- Experience leading organizational change, transformation initiatives, and operational improvements.
Nice To Haves
- Experience partnering with customer experience, digital transformation, and analytics teams.
- Knowledge of specialty distribution networks, patient services technology platforms, and inventory management.
- Financial management and P&L experience preferred.
- Willingness to travel as business needs require.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Rare Disease Patient Engagement function, overseeing patient experience, specialty pharmacy operations, hub operations, and patient support programs.
- Develop and execute strategies that improve patient access, therapy initiation, adherence, and long-term treatment outcomes.
- Lead specialty pharmacy partnerships and patient support services, including adherence, lab monitoring, and patient assistance programs.
- Partner with Commercial, Market Access, Medical, Digital, Analytics, Legal, and Compliance teams to deliver integrated patient engagement solutions.
- Manage external vendors and service partners to ensure operational excellence, compliance, and high-quality patient experiences.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators, including time-to-first-fill, adherence, retention, and overall program effectiveness.
- Drive continuous improvement through data, patient insights, technology, and innovative support models.
- Provide strategic leadership in a complex matrix environment, influencing stakeholders and communicating recommendations to senior leadership.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
- Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
- Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
- A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
- Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
- 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
- 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
- Employee Resource Groups participation
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
