Manager/Senior Manager, Patient Advocacy

Avidity Biosciences is pioneering a new class of oligonucleotide-based therapies called AOCs designed to overcome the current limitations of oligonucleotide therapies in order to treat a wide range of serious diseases. We utilize our proprietary AOC platform to design, engineer and develop therapeutics that combine the tissue selectivity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and the precision of oligonucleotide-based therapies in order to access previously undruggable tissue and cell types and more effectively target underlying genetic drivers of diseases. We are passionate about the impact of every employee in bringing these potentially transformative therapeutics to patients in need. Make a difference with us.

The Manager/Senior Manager, Patient Advocacy will serve as a Company Liaison to the patient advocacy community. This position reports to the Senior Director, Patient Advocacy and will play an integral role in cultivating successful relationships with patient advocacy organizations.  This role will span over medical affairs, communications, and corporate social responsibility with the focus on patient advocacy and tactics that will further Avidity’s patient-centric culture and enhance engagement with the patient communities we aim to serve.

• Build and maintain long-term, substantive relationships with existing and new patient advocacy partners, patient groups, professional associations and key stakeholders based on values of trust, respect, and transparency.
• Manage day-to-day interactions with advocacy partners, including coordinating meetings, planning agendas and follow up.
• Coordinate process for patient organization donations & sponsorship requests in cooperation with relevant internal stakeholders.
• Create and maintain patient-facing materials, including presentations and print collateral; ensure all materials undergo appropriate review committee assessment.
• In collaboration with the head of Patient Advocacy and key internal stakeholders, lead coordination and execution of activities at key patient advocacy congresses, workshops, and events.
• Organize opportunities for Avidity team to participate in patient community fundraising and awareness events.
• Coordinate internal companywide events with the patient community, including patient and caregiver panels and fireside chats.
• Represent Avidity at patient advocacy meetings, congresses, and awareness and fundraising events.
• Support communication plans to drive patient community awareness of corporate mission, data milestones, and awareness campaigns.
• Partner with advocacy community to facilitate the generation and collection of patient and caregiver insights and perspectives to inform Avidity research and development programs, including coordinating focus groups, patient council meetings and qualitative interviews.
• Work cross functionally to support Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Communications and the broader Avidity Teams, as well as Commercial colleagues in the future.
• Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to patients, in alignment with corporate mission and to embed that in company culture and all key corporate activities.
• Cultivate an inclusive, high performing environment that values and leverages diversity of thinking, style, and experiences.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Previous industry experience strongly preferred. The ideal candidate will have prior experience working with patient advocacy groups and have a strong medical background.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and build mutually beneficial working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional organization skills with demonstrated ability for supporting projects across multiple disease states and programs simultaneously.
• Strong track record of success in program development and execution within timelines and budgets.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively within a matrix team and with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders on complex issues.
• Enjoys a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Ability to work in San Diego, CA office and travel up to 20%

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree Life/Health Sciences; Master’s degree and/or Ph.D. a plus
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in pharmaceutical / biotech / patient advocacy organization

 Salary range: $130,000 - $160,000 Salary commensurate with experience