Associate Director, Patient Support - Job ID: 1530 - Ascendis Pharma

Ascendis Pharma is a dynamic, fast-growing global biopharmaceutical company with locations in Denmark, Europe, and the United States. Today, we're advancing programs in Endocrinology Rare Disease and Oncology.

Here at Ascendis, we pride ourselves on exceptional science, visionary leadership, and skilled and passionate colleagues.

Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we use our TransCon® drug development platform to fulfill our mission of developing new and potentially best-in-class therapies to address unmet medical needs.

Our culture fosters a place where skilled, adaptable, and highly resourceful professionals can truly make their mark. We offer a dynamic workplace for employees to grow and develop their skills.

The Associate Director, Patient Support will be responsible for assisting and managing the day-to-day operations of the patient service programs in coordination with selected third-party program vendor(s). This individual will drive alignment and a high-level of collaboration cross-functionally and ensure compliance especially as it relates to patient privacy requirements. The position requires a highly organized and motivated individual that can work cross-functionally to accomplish assigned objectives. Additionally, this individual will be responsible for the management of the patient services offerings, identifying and reporting of KPIs and other metrics as needed to manage the patient services program.

The position will be Field Based, and will report directly to the Director/Senior Director, Patient Support

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage Free Goods programs, Case Management support, and other programs as assigned.
• Enhance and execute the patient services plan, including reimbursement and financial support, to effective and efficiently implement the patient services strategy by managing program operations and budget management.
• Develop and maintain specific standard operating procedures, business rules, process flows, communications, and day-to-day operations management of patient service programs.
• Gain understanding of the patient journey and utilize to optimize patient engagement and adherence while on therapy.
• Build strong internal and external relationships, leveraging expertise to strengthen the value proposition regarding the overall patient experience.

Collaborate with other Ascendis departments as required to:

• Achieve corporate goals and missions for the overall strategy, objectives and key performance indicators for patient services, aligning with the trade distribution network.
• Differentiate and promote awareness of the patient services program among the key external stakeholders.
• Support the development of marketing materials to promote patient services programs
• Support the approval of marketing materials through the PRC process
• Direct interaction with ECS/FRM teams to ensure timely resolution to customer issues
• Drive fiscal responsibility with the operational budget and cost savings initiatives
• Ensure data integrity and adequate data flows between the company and relevant vendors that support patient services.
• Ensure reporting of accurate information to senior management as well as other key internal teams as appropriate.
• Monitor and track key business metrics and assist in quarterly business reviews
• Involvement in data analysis and reporting
• Work closely with members of Legal and Compliance departments to ensure that patient service initiatives are aligned with Ascendis values and principles, as well as the relevant laws and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 8+ years of experience in reimbursement support services, payer coverage, reimbursement, patient support programs.
• 3+ Agency/vendor management experience (operations/business reviews/budgetary oversight)
• Strong understanding of the US access environment (commercial and public), including reimbursement support services, payer coverage, reimbursement, pricing, patient support programs, field reimbursement specialists, co-pay support programs, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to build and execute on a launch/program plan
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross functional teams is required with a history of leadership, initiative in achieving organizational objectives
• Ability to operate in ambiguous situations and determine focused objectives and a clear path forward in the face of open questions
• Demonstrated ability to influence others without authority and successfully partner with cross-functional teams
• Possess a strong understanding of biologic/specialty pharma market and patient access challenges
• Proven history of working and delivering on multiple projects simultaneously, with tight deadlines and changing priorities is required
• Ability to interact and communicate with all levels in the organization
• Must be a team player with strong self-awareness and excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required – in particular, the ability to summarize results from disparate sources in a concise manner for senior management
• Patient-centric and service-oriented mindset
• Adaptable and open to an environment of change
• Self-starter. Proactive in nature, actively participates and self-motivated
• Ability to travel 40%

A note to recruiters:

We do not allow external search party solicitation.  Presentation of candidates without written permission from the Ascendis Pharma Inc Human Resources team (specifically from: Talent Acquisition Partner or Human Resources Director) is not allowed.  If this occurs your ownership of these candidates will not be acknowledged.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-offered Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Company-provided short and long-term disability benefits
• Unique offerings of Pet Insurance and Legal Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Professional Development
• Health Saving Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various incentive compensation plans
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance  
• Mental Health resources
• Paid leave benefits for new parents