Senior Director, Patient Advocacy

Maze Therapeutics•South San Francisco, CA

3d•$270,000 - $300,000•Remote

About The Position

Maze Therapeutics is seeking a Senior Director, Patient Advocacy to lead the function connecting the company with patients, caregivers, and communities. This newly created role will ensure patient experience and insight inform trial design, enrollment planning, regulatory strategy, and company communications. The role will set patient advocacy direction across Maze’s kidney and metabolic disease portfolio, including APOL1-mediated kidney disease and chronic kidney disease programs, and future indications. A Director currently in the function will report to this position, which will also shape the team and future hiring. The Senior Director will own patient advocacy and community involvement strategy, the function’s budget and resource plan, and reporting on progress and impact to the Head of Medical Affairs and executive leadership. The role will establish partnerships with advocacy organizations, professional societies, and community-based organizations; create communications, events, and education programs; and represent patient and caregiver perspectives in Medical Affairs and cross-functional leadership discussions. The position will establish and chair patient and caregiver advisory groups, ensure activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, industry codes, and company policies, and lead, mentor, and grow the team. The role will develop metrics to demonstrate impact on trial enrollment, patient experience, and community trust. The expected annual salary range for employees located in the San Francisco Bay Area is $270,000-$300,000, with eligibility for an annual performance bonus. Starting salary depends on job-related factors, including professional experience, skills, and job location, and the range may be modified in the future. Maze offers eligible employees medical, dental, and vision insurance, mental health offerings, an equity incentive plan, a 401(k) program with employer match, and a holiday and PTO policy. The posting is tagged #LI-Remote.

Requirements

Understanding of the biopharmaceutical industry and drug development lifecycle, including patient engagement in drug development and compliance principles governing interactions with patients and advocacy organizations.
10+ years of progressive experience in patient advocacy and community engagement, including directing a function and leading a team; ideally in biopharma or life sciences.
Track record of building strategic partnerships with patient advocacy organizations, professional societies, and community groups, nationally and internationally.
Experience presenting to and advising executive leadership, with the ability to deliver a clear, compelling presentation.
Proven people leadership, including hiring, developing, and managing a team.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Collaborative, ethical, patient-first mindset, with strong business sense and the ability to negotiate and find common ground with partners.
Bachelor’s degree.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in public health, nursing, social work, public policy, or a related field.
Experience in kidney disease, metabolic disease, or a related therapeutic area.
Experience engaging communities disproportionately affected by disease.
Demonstrated understanding of patient and caregiver perspectives and strong connections with the communities served.

Responsibilities

Own patient advocacy and community involvement strategy, aligned with pipeline priorities, Medical Affairs objectives, and company goals.
Own the function’s budget and resource plan, and report progress and impact to the Head of Medical Affairs and executive leadership.
Serve as the primary link between Maze and patients, caregivers, and advocacy organizations across kidney disease, metabolic disease, and future indications.
Build and steward partnerships with national and international advocacy organizations, professional societies, and community-based organizations, with particular attention to communities disproportionately affected by kidney disease.
Create communications, events, and education programs that help people understand the diseases Maze works on and its pipeline.
Represent patients and caregivers in Medical Affairs and cross-functional leadership discussions so their insight informs clinical development plans, enrollment initiatives, regulatory strategy, and company decisions.
Establish and chair patient and caregiver advisory groups that inform trial design, patient support programs, and health equity initiatives.
Ensure patient advocacy activities, partnerships, grants, and sponsorships are conducted ethically and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, industry codes, and company policies.
Lead, mentor, and grow the patient advocacy team, including hiring and setting clear performance and growth expectations.
Develop and report metrics that show the function’s impact on trial enrollment, patient experience, and community trust.
Demonstrate leadership through clear communication, collaboration, execution, resource management, delegation, and development of staff.