Director, Patient Advocacy

BlueRock Therapeutics

. Develop and own a comprehensive, multi-year global patient advocacy strategy for Parkinson’s disease and primary photoreceptor disease programs .

Posted 9/28/2026full-timeCambridge • Massachusetts • United StatesLead💰 $202,000 - $214,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing patient advocacy strategies, with a strong focus on engaging with Parkinson’s disease and rare disease communities. Possesses a deep understanding of regulatory compliance and the ability to influence cross-functional teams to prioritize patient-centric initiatives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Patient Advocacy Strategy DevelopmentRegulatory Compliance ExpertiseCross-Functional Stakeholder EngagementExceptional Relationship-Building SkillsAdvanced Degree in Health or Communications

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Patient AdvocacyRegulatory AffairsClinical OperationsMedical AffairsProtocol Design ImprovementsPatient-Reported OutcomesDecentralized Study ApproachesEvidence Strategy DevelopmentCommunity Awareness InitiativesData Privacy Compliance

Soft Skills

Outstanding Written CommunicationOutstanding Verbal CommunicationInfluencing Skills

Industry Keywords

Parkinson’s DiseaseRare DiseaseHealth EquityPatient EngagementGlobal AdvocacyClinical-Stage CompanyCell TherapyGene TherapyPatient Advisory BoardsCommunity Leaders

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and own a comprehensive, multi-year global patient advocacy strategy for Parkinson’s disease and primary photoreceptor disease programs
Identify, map, and prioritize patient advocacy groups, disease foundations, and coalitions across the US, EU, and other strategic geographies
Build and sustain partnerships with patient organizations, community leaders, and key opinion advocates
Serve as BlueRock’s senior external ambassador at patient advocacy conferences, community events, and scientific symposia
Design and facilitate patient advisory boards, patient councils, and forums
Lead initiatives advancing health equity, reducing participation barriers, and amplifying underrepresented voices
Develop education and community awareness initiatives for patients, caregivers, and advocacy organizations
Provide strategic counsel to R&D, Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, and Program Teams
Translate patient insights into protocol design improvements, including inclusion/exclusion criteria, visit burden reduction, patient-reported outcomes, site selection, and decentralized study approaches
Co-develop patient-informed evidence strategies addressing disease burden, quality of life, and caregiver impact
Partner with Corporate Communications on external messaging and awareness campaigns
Collaborate with Bayer global advocacy counterparts on late-stage clinical programs and transition relationships as programs achieve milestones
Engage patient communities in early pipeline programs across ophthalmology and neurology
Ensure advocacy engagements adhere to global compliance, ethical guidelines, and regulatory expectations
Maintain understanding of evolving regulations and update internal standard operating procedures

Requirements

What you’ll need

8-12 years of progressive experience in patient advocacy, public affairs, medical affairs, or closely related functions within pharmaceutical or biotech companies
Demonstrated expertise engaging with Parkinson’s disease communities and/or rare disease patient advocacy communities
Strong understanding of regulatory and compliance frameworks, including interactions with patient groups, data privacy, fair market value, and transparency
Exceptional relationship-building skills with patients, caregivers, advocacy leaders, and internal stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and align teams around patient-centric priorities without direct line authority
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
Preferred: Global advocacy experience spanning US and EU markets
Preferred: Experience supporting regulatory submissions, advisory committee preparation, or labeling negotiations with patient-focused content
Preferred: Advanced degree (MPH, MS, PhD, MBA, or equivalent) in a health, science, or communications-related field
Preferred: Familiarity with cell therapy, gene therapy, or other advanced therapy modalities
Preferred: Experience at a clinical-stage company navigating early-pipeline patient engagement

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hybrid work arrangement
~20–30% global travel to patient organization meetings, centers of excellence, conferences, and community events
Disability-related accommodation during the recruitment process