Director, Patient Advocacy full_time NEW

The Director of Patient Advocacy is a key leader at ProKidney, responsible for fostering relationships with patients, caregivers, and advocacy organizations to ensure their voices are integrated into the company’s mission and culture. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this role focuses on patient-centered initiatives that enhance community trust, build awareness, and strengthen ProKidney’s reputation as a patient-focused organization. The ideal candidate is a compassionate and strategic professional with deep expertise in patient advocacy and community engagement. This role will partner closely with the Sr. Director, Patient & Clinical Trial Engagement and the Sr. Director of Corp Development and Investor Relations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Patient Advocacy Strategy

• Develop and execute a company-wide patient advocacy strategy that aligns with ProKidney’s mission and values.
• Partner with internal teams to incorporate patient perspectives into organizational initiatives, ensuring a consistent focus on patient needs and experiences.

1. Community and Advocacy Relationships

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with patient advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Represent ProKidney at patient advocacy events, forums, and conferences to build trust and promote awareness of the company’s mission.
• Foster connections with government bodies and policymakers to support the development and participate in the execution of advocacy strategies to position ProKidney as an inclusive, therapeutic leader for CKD.

1. Education and Awareness

• Create programs to educate internal teams about the importance of patient advocacy, fostering a culture of empathy and patient-first thinking.
• Develop materials and tools that communicate ProKidney’s commitment to patients to external audiences.
• Conduct informational sessions and workshops to inform the company’s decision making and communications, and to educate and inspire employees

1. Patient Voice Integration

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that patient feedback and insights inform ProKidney’s initiatives, policies, and decision-making.
• Organize opportunities for patients to share their stories and experiences with ProKidney’s leadership and employees.
• Integrate the company values in all patient community engagements

1. Advocacy Programming

• Lead patient-focused initiatives, such as awareness campaigns, educational workshops, and recognition programs that celebrate patient resilience and achievements.
• Partner with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team to ensure advocacy efforts are inclusive and accessible to all communities.

1. Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a liaison between patients and ProKidney, ensuring transparency and building trust through consistent and clear communication.
• Work closely with government affairs, public relations, and corporate communications to amplify patient voices in external messaging.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public health, healthcare administration, social work, or a related field preferred.

Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in patient advocacy, community engagement, or related roles in the healthcare or nonprofit sectors.
• Proven ability to build and sustain meaningful relationships with advocacy groups and diverse communities.

Skills:

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with a strong ability to translate patient needs into actionable programs.
• Knowledge of healthcare trends and patient advocacy best practices.

Attributes:

• Empathetic and passionate about making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.
• Collaborative, proactive, and values-driven leader.