National Director, Care Educators

Apellis Pharmaceuticals•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Apellis US Patient Services is focused on maintaining excellence in patient services and delivering an exquisite patient and healthcare professional (HCP) experience. Apellis is deeply committed to delivering comprehensive patient support, at the core of the organization is the Apellis Care Educator (ACE) team. The National Director, Care Educators will lead a national team of Apellis Care Educators who are critical in supporting the EMPAVELI franchise. Understanding that EMPAVELI offers a transformative treatment option for patients living with rare diseases such as PNH, C3G, and primary IC-MPGN, this team is dedicated to supporting a smooth and sustained treatment journey. While the experience can be liberating, it also brings new considerations. Our focus is on answering questions and providing the guidance needed for seamless initiation and ongoing success with EMPAVELI. This team is dedicated to empowering patients to begin EMPAVELI with confidence and ensuring they feel consistently supported by Apellis across every stage of their treatment experience. Success in leading this team will require a seasoned regional or national leader with deep expertise in strategic planning and disciplined execution. Apellis Care Educators will be aligned regionally. National travel will be required.

Requirements

Registered Nurse (RN) with an active and unrestricted license preferred. Other healthcare-related professions (for example, RPH or PharmD) may be considered.
10+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, with a strong focus on rare diseases
5+ years of experience supporting or managing home-based subcutaneous infusion or injection therapies
Proven track record of building, leading, and maintaining a high-performing team grounded in a vibrant, patient-facing culture with empathy and authenticity
Demonstrated success in bringing strategic vision to life, driving initiatives from ideation through full execution
Exceptional communication skills, including active listening, concise articulation of complex topics, and confident, effective presentation abilities
Demonstrated integrity and professionalism, with a strong understanding of applicable industry rules, regulations, and ethical standards
Highly self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently while also offering support to others as needed
Collaborative team player with a flexible, positive approach and the ability to contribute at all levels of the organization
Willingness and ability to travel nationally up to 50%

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership to define and cultivate the ACE team culture and direction across the EMPAVELI franchise, ensuring strong alignment with the broader Patient Services vision at Apellis
Drive cross-functional alignment by partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure ACE business objectives are embedded in brand strategy execution.
Translate field insights into action by developing, analyzing and communicating key performance indicators (KPIs) and field trends to leadership, offering data-driven recommendations.
Continuously enhance the patient training experience, ensuring individualized home infusion education addresses the unique needs of patients living with rare diseases.
Provide strategic leadership to evolve the ACE program, designing and executing initiatives that deliver an enhanced self-administration training experience and a more engaging patient journey
Recruit, develop, and retain top-performing talent for the ACE team, fostering a high-performance culture grounded in empathy, professionalism, and excellence.
Optimize tools and systems by collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and/or enhance SOPs, CRM documentation, workflows, onboarding resources, field materials, and training platforms for the ACE nurse team.
Oversee day-to-day operations through the management of ACE Team Leads, ensuring effective coaching, analytics-driven performance review, and personalized team development.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive ACE training program, equipping team members with up-to-date knowledge, skills, and support resources.
Manage team budgets and resource allocations, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational priorities.
Monitor vendor performance related to ACE support, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to service level expectations.
Ensure full compliance with all relevant healthcare regulations, Apellis policies, and industry standards.
Coordinate with the Director, Patient Services and Field Access Manager Lead to integrate nurse educator support seamlessly with specialty pharmacy, reimbursement, and product delivery processes.
Collaborate with internal partners including VAP, Medical Affairs, Marketing, and Patient Advocacy to lead and execute patient education initiatives and cross-functional projects.
Model and promote Apellis values, reinforcing a culture of authenticity, innovation, and patient-first service.