Head of Patient Advocacy and Professional Societies Engagement - Oncology (Medical Affairs)
AbbVie
Summary
The Head of Patient Advocacy and Professional Societies Engagement - Oncology leads the global strategy for building, managing, and sustaining authentic, high-impact relationships with cancer patient advocacy organizations (PAOs), professional oncology societies, and key policy stakeholders. This leadership role will embed a patient-centric mindset across the Global Oncology Medical Affairs enterprise and ensure the patient voice shapes clinical pathways across our portfolio of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), T-Cell Engagers (TCEs), and targeted small molecules. The role manages, mentors, and develops a high-performing global team of 4 direct reports focused on the hematology and solid tumor landscape.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute the multi-year global engagement strategy for oncology PAOs aligned with AbbVie's core therapeutic focus areas, spanning Hematologic Malignancies (CLL, AML, DLBCL, Multiple Myeloma) and Solid Tumors (NSCLC, SCLC, Ovarian Cancer, Colorectal Cancer).
- Develop specialized, tailored patient engagement frameworks for next-generation modalities, capturing patient and caregiver insights unique to Topoisomerase I inhibitor (Top1i)-based ADCs and immune-based pipelines.
- Lead, mentor, and scale a team of 4 direct reports, fostering a culture of compliance, clinical fluency, and cross-functional collaboration in the complex global oncology space.
- Partner with clinical development to leverage patient organization insights to optimize trial designs, decentralized trial models, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for late-stage and registrational pipeline assets.
- Cultivate strategic partnerships with primary global professional organizations (such as ASCO, ESMO, ASH, WCLC, and SGO) to advance scientific exchange, consensus-building, and independent medical educational grants.
- Work cross-functionally to bridge medical strategy with health equity, supporting access and addressing policy and reimbursement barriers ahead of major regulatory approvals and label expansions.
- Ensure all team interactions adhere to regional legal/compliance codes (such as PhRMA, EFPIA, IFPMA) and navigate rigorous Fair Market Value (FMV) standards for multi-stakeholder healthcare collaborations.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree in a health science, life sciences, public health, or healthcare policy field (PharmD, PhD, MSN, or Master's/MBA in Health Administration or Policy preferred).
- 10+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical Global/US Medical Affairs, Patient Advocacy, Corporate Affairs, or External Relations, with a minimum of 5 years dedicated exclusively to the Oncology/Hematology ecosystem.
- Proven experience managing, coaching, and developing direct reports (prior experience leading a team of 3-5+ matrix or direct reports is required).
- Solid comprehension of cancer biology markers (e.g., c-Met, BCMA, SEZ6) and the operational nuances of managing clinical expectations around breakthrough designations.
- Strong existing networks within international oncology advocacy coalitions and professional society executive teams.
- Exceptional interpersonal, diplomacy, and executive communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to driving health equity and reducing disease awareness gaps in underserved cancer patient populations.
- Ability to navigate complex matrix organizations on a global scale.
Requirements
- Advanced degree in a health science, life sciences, public health, or healthcare policy field (PharmD, PhD, MSN, or Master's/MBA in Health Administration or Policy preferred)
- 10+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical Global/US Medical Affairs, Patient Advocacy, Corporate Affairs, or External Relations
- Minimum of 5 years dedicated exclusively to the Oncology/Hematology ecosystem
- Proven experience managing, coaching, and developing direct reports (prior experience leading a team of 3-5+ matrix or direct reports is required)
- Solid comprehension of cancer biology markers (e.g., c-Met, BCMA, SEZ6) and operational nuances of managing clinical expectations around breakthrough designations
- Strong existing networks within international oncology advocacy coalitions and professional society executive teams
- Exceptional interpersonal, diplomacy, and executive communication skills
- Demonstrated commitment to driving health equity and reducing disease awareness gaps in underserved cancer patient populations
- Ability to navigate complex matrix organizations on a global scale
Benefits
- Paid time off
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 401(k)
- Long-term incentive programs
Company overview
AbbVie is a global biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and markets advanced therapies for some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. Founded in 2013 as a spin-off from Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie has established itself as a leader in immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, and virology. The company's flagship product, Humira (adalimumab), was one of the world's top-selling drugs for treating autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. AbbVie maintains a robust pipeline of innovative medicines and has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, including Allergan in 2020. With research facilities across the United States and globally, AbbVie focuses on advancing science to improve patient outcomes while maintaining strong commercial operations worldwide. The company operates with a patient-centric approach and invests significantly in research and development to address unmet medical needs across multiple therapeutic areas.