Associate Director, US Patient Marketing

Cytokinetics is a late-stage, specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class muscle activators and next-in-class muscle inhibitors as potential treatments for debilitating diseases in which cardiac muscle performance is compromised. As a leader in muscle biology and the mechanics of muscle performance, the company is developing small molecule drug candidates specifically engineered to impact myocardial muscle function and contractility.

The Associate Director will support the development of the U.S. patient and loved ones strategy for aficamten for the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM).  This position will work closely with a broad array of US stakeholders to drive execution of the aficamten launch plan and will be responsible for all elements of the US promotional platform for oHCM patients and their loved ones. They will also work closely across teams to help Cytokinetics develop a adherence/compliance strategy with patient services and support, patient education services, patient ambassador program establishment and management, and lead the development education and field support. 

This position will report directly into the Director of US Patient Marketing for aficamten and will work closely with a broad set of cross-functional stakeholders.  This individual must have the ability to contribute strategically as a thought partner, but also work independently as a manager of activities to flawlessly execute the patient tactical plan. It is imperative that this person drive performance and marketing excellence through partnership and collaboration.
 

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of the key components of the US brand strategy for patients/loved ones and ensure alignment across all key stakeholders

• Manage and lead patient initiation, treatment, and compliance (adherence and persistence) strategy in partnership with cross functional stakeholders.

• Develop, manage, and track metrics to measure and ensure success of patient initiation, titration and ongoing compliance

• Lead and establish branded ambassadorship patient program, including accountability for unbranded patient ambassador program.  This includes close collaboration with patient support and patient advocacy teams and accountability/responsibility for all associated.

• Develop and work closely with the field in pulling through key executional material.

• Support development and execution of a comprehensive patient launch plan including HUB services and elements of the digital patient experience across channels.

• Assist in development and launch of innovative patient/caregiver marketing campaigns that will inspire behavioral change and drive brand growth; ensure aligned launch execution across functions.

• Manage budgets and support quarterly business and budget reviews; develop/track metrics to ensure success of programs.

• Partner with patients and advocacy organizations; act as brand steward ensuring brand strategy is at center of all promotional efforts.

• Partner with market research and analytics to develop customer insight to inform decision-making in support of strategy.

• Liaise closely with Legal, Regulatory and Compliance to execute brand tactics efficiently and compliantly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree is required with 8+ years of pharmaceutical experience, with at least 4 years of US pharmaceutical marketing experience.

• US launch experience required-- experience in cardiovascular therapeutic category and/or REMS preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to develop patient marketing strategy and execute/measure promotional campaigns.

• Experience in rare disease in creating unique patient experiences preferred.

• MBA or other advanced degrees is preferred.

• High-level strategic thinking, with the ability to translate customer insights into actionable marketing strategy.

• Proven self-starter, able to work independently, able to handle full workload across multiple projects.

• Strong understanding of legal and regulatory environment in pharmaceutical promotions, pharma industry guidelines, and other compliance-related issues.

• Collaborates seamlessly across functions to build effective working relationships and align on strategy and execution.

• High level of self-awareness and understanding of the importance of self-monitoring behavior for continuous improvement.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, demonstrated ability to be a proactive thinker and to embody a solution-oriented mindset.

• Demonstrated success working collaboratively i