Director, Advocacy And Education

Location of role Rockville, Conshohocken, Remote

About the Company Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry’s most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.

Focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.

We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, while seeking talented individuals to work with us across the many functions that will allow us to deliver new medicines to transform the lives of patients. You will work with outstanding people who together pioneer the research, development and commercialization of bi-specific TCR therapies. We aim to create an environment where individual contributions and initiatives can be maximized, while fostering a culture of collaboration, based on respect and integrity. We want each individual employee to own their career, as part of high-performing teams, and in the context of on-the-job and formal continuous development and training, as well as constructive feedback. We always strive to identify ways to improve what we do and how we do it, by asking questions, voicing opinions, exploring various approaches and staying connected with healthcare professionals, patients, academia and other key partners.

Key Responsibilities The Director Advocacy and Education will develop and execute Immunocore Advocacy and Education strategies, engaging with patient Advocacy organizations, professional societies, Continuous Medical Education providers, and health care professionals (MD, RN, RPH, etc). The role will have a remit covering both US and ex-US countries where Immunocore has medical affairs presence and will be pivotal in further establishing the Advocacy and Education programs at Immunocore and will support our in-market asset (KIMMTRAK) and to prepare for the pipeline by expanding relationships into tumor types beyond melanoma. This role will work collaboratively with Medical Affairs team, Compliance, Commercial, the Development Teams, and Corporate Communications, as well as Contracting/Procurement and Finance.

The Director will develop and manage relationships with Advocacy and Professional organizations and is responsible for processes relating to the Advocacy function, including: development of strategy, review of grant request proposals, recommendations for approval of grants, monitoring associated metrics and acting as the functional bridge between these organizations and internal Immunocore stakeholders, ensuring smooth processing of approved grants, and performing appropriate follow up with Advocacy/Professional Organizations. The role will participate in the Advocacy grant review process in collaboration with Compliance and the Grant Review Committee Secretary. Oversee the process for the review and management of all requests for sponsorships of major medical meetings and conference and programs approved and reviewed within medical affairs as well as Corporate Memberships in professional societies and organizations. Collaborates closely with Corporate Communications, Legal and Compliance to ensure compliance with company policies and guidelines as well as external regulations and recommendations.

The role is also responsible for development and execution of an independent medical education (IME) strategic plan in collaboration with the regional Heads of Medical Affairs (The Americas and EU/ROW). Working closely with his/her manager, regional Medical Affairs Heads, and relevant cross-functional partners to develop annual needs assessment and educational plans that are aligned with medical strategy. The Director develops and launch an IME RFP consistent with Immunocore strategies, work with Compliance to evolve the review and selection of IME proposals and will be responsible for review and tracking of performance metrics for educational initiatives.

The role will provide input into a) annual strategic planning in collaboration with the multi-functional brand team; b) life cycle management activities to support a culture of performance and executional excellence; and c) insight gathering through interactions with Advocates and Professional Organizations and dissemination of these internally as appropriate.

This role will be hybrid office/home based.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advocacy and Professional Societies

• Build and drive longitudinal partnerships with key global and regional advocacy organizations to advance shared goals, including addressing patient unmet needs and bringing novel biotech interventions to the patients who need them
• Develop a Global Advocacy Engagement Strategy with an emphasis on priority markets.
• Elevate opportunities to establish cross-organizational stakeholder relationships and advocacy initiatives.
• Share insights regarding the healthcare landscape and patient experience internally (working in collaboration with Medical Information Lead).
• Collaborate with advocacy and professional organizations to shape the local healthcare ecosystem and address patient access barriers, working appropriately with internal Market Access colleagues.
• Maximize Immunocore presence at Advocacy and Professional organization events, Medical Congresses, and patient summits.
• Design and execute capacity building programs for advocacy organizations based on local needs and priorities.
• Communicate on how educational initiatives are designed and executed with the advocacy community and systemize practices Immunocore to embed ways of working with advocacy organizations.
• Heighten disease state and therapeutic-area knowledge among patient groups and professional societies.
• Find opportunities to for programs at major medical congresses and international conferences that advance priority programs and corporate reputation.
• Lead internal efforts to communicate the value and impact of advocacy programs and trends across internal stakeholders.

Education (IME):

• Develop annual needs assessment and educational plans aligned with brand and development strategies.
• Develop an IME strategy aligned with Immunocore priorities to heighten disease state, platform, and therapeutic education among health care professionals.
• Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of approved grants
• Perform a knowledge gap analysis and develop innovative approaches to address needs, including development of RFP and review and approval of independent proposals from Advocacy, Professional societies, and CME providers.
• Work closely with Commercial, Medical Affairs and Development colleagues to design and implement effective educational initiatives (Immunocore led) and become a trusted partner for IME/Advocacy/Professional Society led educational initiatives.
• Find opportunities to for programs at major medical congresses and international conferences that provide disease state, platform, and or therapeutic education to healthcare professionals.

Experience & Knowledge:

• Science degree - advanced degree preferred (PhD, PharmD. MD)
• General understanding of Medical Education/Pharmaceutical Industry guidelines (OIG, ACCME, and PhRMA) and regulations.
• Exhibit high motivation as a self-starter to analyse problems and recognize the key issues that need action and identify options to resolve
• Highest levels of ethics and integrity
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• 3-6 years of experience with grants management
• Able to anticipate challenges and devise strategies for success
• High prioritization, results oriented, and deadline focused skills
• Strong process, compliance, documentation and preferably project management expertise, ideally at a global level
• The ability to work as a part of diverse teams
• Innovative, flexible, with a biotech mindset
• Previous medical communications agency or pharmaceutical experience (Medical Affairs experience preferred).
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
• Can think and act at the enterprise level where appropriate
• Self-motivated able to work autonomously and must thrive on challenge
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in Oncology (preferably Immuno-oncology) highly desirable