Junior Patient Advocacy Specialist (Maternity Leave)

Are you ready to amplify the patient voice and turn lived experience into action that improves access, support and outcomes? Join us as a Junior Patient Advocacy Specialist on a maternity leave contract and help shape how we partner with patient communities across Italy. Guided strategically and operationally by the Patient Advocacy Team in Italy, you will implement the annual advocacy and patient engagement plans across therapeutic areas and indications. Your work will connect patient advocacy organizations and communities with cross-functional teams to inform decisions from clinical development through post-launch and beyond.

In this role, you will coordinate Patient Support Programs, drive best-in-class engagement, and ensure ethically sound and compliant collaboration with partners. Can you see yourself building trusted relationships that translate into measurable impact for some of the most underserved patients?

Accountabilities:

In this role, you will working under the strategic and operational guidance of the Advocacy Director of Alexion Italy with the aim to support the implementation of the Patient Advocacy strategy and related activities for Alexion Italy.

• Contribute to the implementation of the annual patient advocacy plan and patient engagement plans for Alexion Italy and ensure execution across Tas and portfolio indications
• Build, maintain and enhance strategic and sustainable relationships with patient advocacy organizations (PAOs) in the Italy across all Tas and portfolio indications
• Maintain strategic and sustainable relationships with patient Communities
• Support the coordination of PAOs in the development of local Patient Support Programs (PSPs) working in close partnership with the Patient Medical Program team and local medical team responsible for PSPs
• Support the Patient Advocacy function of Alexion Italy by providing dedicated support to local launch and brand teams as well as other key local workstreams by identifying critical areas for patient engagement / patient input; keep track of and communicate key deliverables, milestones and timelines
• Support the Patient Advocacy function in Italy by showcasing the value of patient advocacy by delivering best-in-class patient engagement across the therapeutic lifecycle
• Contribute to designing patient-centric processes and establishing best practice of patient engagement across the therapeutic lifecycle of Alexion Italy from across the different therapeutic areas of interest to Alexion and other patient advocacy and relevant allied stakeholder organizations
• Support the Patient Advocacy function in Alexion Italy by providing dedicated support to local launch and brand teams as well as other key local workstreams by identifying critical areas for patient engagement / patient input; keep track of and communicate key deliverables, milestones and timelines
• Contribute the Alexion Italy perspective within the Global advocacy team under the strategic guidance of the Advocacy Director, and contribute to global/international work streams where the local perspective is required
• Support the conceptualization and coordination of the engagement of PAOs in clinical development programs running and/or planned in Alexion Italy
• Support the coordination of the engagement of PAOs in data generation initiatives (HEOR/ MR) as well as in relation to local HTA processes or other post-marketing initiatives, in close partnership with Medical Affairs and Market Access teams Based on local needs assessment.
• Support the conceptualization and carry out Patient Advisory Boards, focus groups and roundtables with patient representatives, patients, and caregivers, in close collaboration with a cross-functional team.
• Based on local needs assessment, support the conceptualization and carry out strategic patient advocacy programs and partnerships related to disease awareness and education, diagnosis, access to appropriate care, and policy advocacy, in close collaboration with a cross-functional team.
• Support the Alexion Italy Advocacy function in educating internal stakeholders about the role of PAOs and our standards of working with PAOs; champion the patient voice and experience at the local level and ensure that patient perspectives are reflected in our thinking and approaches
• Manage and track PAO sponsorship & other key processes in Alexion Italy; coordinate annual disclosure of PAO funding in Alexion Italy
• Represent Alexion at local PAO events, seminars and conferences as required
• Support the Alexion Italy Advocacy function by contribute to the company’s evolving philosophy and long-term vision for patient engagement as well as enhancing the patient-centric culture within the company
• Identify and create opportunities for other internal functions to engage with and listen to patients and caregivers to learn about their journey and needs
• Establish close cross-functional collaboration with all key internal business functions
• Ensure ethically sound and compliant collaboration with PAOs in Italy
• Perform at times in previously uncharted territory with few established guidelines or procedures
• Manage multiple projects while maintaining an understanding of local and global priorities.
• Show excellent project management skills by ensuring excellent coordination of all activities,  keeping orderly record, project tracking, internal reporting, minutes taking and presentations drafting
• Demonstrate ability to take initiative and consistently deliver high-quality work

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Previous related experience in Public Health & Pharmaceutical Policy, Healthcare, Communications or Patient Advocacy
• Track record of successful interactions with patient advocates and patient advocacy groups, especially in Italy and with a focus on rare disease space
• Knowledge of the legal and regulatory compliance environment impacting the pharma/bio industry and interaction with patient advocacy groups
• Intuitive, socially intelligent, flexibility and creativity to excel in a rapidly changing
• Proven planning and organizational skills with experience managing multiple priorities; ability to prioritize in a shifting environment with a sense of urgency
• Strong track record in working cross-functionally
• Excellent communication skills both vertically and horizontally
• Exceptional sense of ethics
• Willingness to travel
• Most importantly, a passion for patients and research

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Al least 6 months experience in rare diseases advocacy or biopharma patient engagement within the Italian healthcare landscape.
• Familiarity with Italian HTA processes, market access, and policy environment, collaborating closely with Medical Affairs and Market Access.
• Strong relationship-building skills with national and regional PAOs; confidence representing the company at external events.
• Fluency in Italian and English; clear, persuasive written and verbal communication.

Why Alexion:

Here you will join a mission-led team that stays close to patients and the communities that support them, combining the energy and autonomy of a pioneering biotech mindset with the scientific depth and scale of a global biopharma. We move with urgency and integrity, value kindness alongside ambition, and believe that bold ideas grounded in real patient insight can change the course of devastating diseases. You will learn from generous peers and leaders, leverage cutting-edge science and collaborative ways of working, and see your contribution translate into earlier diagnosis, better access and meaningful support for people who need it most.

Call to Action:

Ready to turn patient insight into measurable change during this maternity leave assignment and grow your impact with a team that moves fast for patients—step forward and make your mark!

Date Posted

Closing Date

Alexion is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where every single person can belong because of their uniqueness. The Company will not make decisions about employment, training, compensation, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment based on race, color, religion, creed or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), parental status (including adoption or surrogacy), military status, protected veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity or expression, genetic information, mental illness or other characteristics protected by law. Alexion provides reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of candidates and employees. To begin an interactive dialogue with Alexion regarding an accommodation, please contact accommodations@Alexion.com. Alexion participates in E-Verify.