Blackbird - Associate Director, Patient Engagement & Insights

 Network Architecture: Build and maintain a network of Key Patient Opinion Leaders (KPOLs) and advocacy executives who can be deployed for business-critical advisory boards.
 Policy Influence: Stay ahead of the curve on FDA/EMA guidance, PDUFA VII, and health equity legislation, ensuring our portfolio companies are not just compliant, but leaders in regulatory trends.
 Thought Leadership: Represent RA Ventures or portfolio companies at major industry summits and be willing to publish insights that challenge traditional patient engagement and advocacy models.

Qualifications
Required Experience & Skills:
 7+ years of progressive experience in patient advocacy, clinical operations, or health policy within a biotech, top-tier CRO, or major advocacy organization.
 Proven Track Record: Experience designing and executing patient advisory boards, focus groups, and surveys that resulted in tangible protocol changes.
 Regulatory Fluency: Deep knowledge of Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD) frameworks.
 Metric-Driven Mindset: Ability to move beyond qualitative anecdotes to present quantitative "Patient ROI" investment teams and CEOs.
 Communication: Ability to pitch advocacy and engagement strategies to internal teams, senior management at portfolio companies, and vendor partners justifying spend with clear ROI on time-to-enrollment savings.
 Internal Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft office suite of tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), generative AI tools, and productivity tools like Notion and SmartSheet.

Preferred Experience & Skills:
 Advanced Degree: MPH, MBA, or MHA is not required, but preferred .
 Therapeutic Depth: Expertise in Rare Disease, Oncology, or Neurology/CNS is preferred by not required.
 Digital Savvy: Experience with AI-driven patient recruitment platforms or digital sentiment analysis tools.
 Venture/Startup Exposure: Experience working in high-growth, fast-paced environments where agility is a core requirement.
 Global Perspective: Experience managing advocacy relationships in both US and ex-US markets (Europe, APAC, LATAM) to support global filings.