Position Summary:
The Director of Family Support Educator, Rare Disease (DFSE) provides strategic leadership and oversight to Family Support Educator (FSE) Leads and their teams. This role involves direct management of FSE Leads, along with indirect management of Family Support Educators (FSEs), who deliver expert, field-based patient education and support throughout the treatment journey for the Rett community. As a non-promotional role within Acadia, the DFSE reports directly to the Vice President of Patient Support Services, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and the highest standards of patient care.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Manage and develop the performance of FSE Leads and FSE team members; manage time among the team
- Lead execution of strategic and tactical patient education and One Acadia initiatives
- Monitor and manage compliance adherence
- Drive change/resolution of escalations, complaints, and/or communication issues for internal and external stakeholders
- Serve as the primary representative for FSE team with cross functional, collaborative partners, including but not limited to: leaders for Patient Support and Distribution, CIAO, Access and Reimbursement, Marketing, and Sales
- Work in collaboration with cross-functional partners to:
- Review and assist with training and onboarding of new FSE LEAD and FSE team members
- Manage the evolution of the FSE team as the business needs and market dynamics evolve
- Develop and drive appropriate metrics and MBO plans to measure performance and communicate those metrics to internal stakeholders
- Deliver results on key business goals, as set forth each quarter
- Provide reporting, analytics, and insights, as appropriate, based on FSE data collection
- Ensure exceptional customer experience, internally and externally, through strong collaboration and operational execution of initiatives, services, and processes
- Participate in executive meetings, including but not limited to, commercial leadership team, executive leadership team, and/or other meetings, as appropriate, and assist with slide development and storyboarding for these meetings
- Plan and prepare for national and regional commercial field meetings
- Offer in-field coaching opportunities for FSE Leads and FSEs
- Lead by example
- Conduct performance reviews and evaluations of FSE Leads, and ensure they are positioned to deliver these to their direct reports
- Conduct performance reviews and evaluations of FSEs in Leads absence
- Recruit and hire new Lead FSEs and FSEs, as necessary to fill vacancies
- Mange the ongoing training, development, engagement, and culture of the entire FSE team
Education/Experience/Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree required, with 15 years of relevant experience in Patient Support Services, Access, National Accounts, Specialty Pharmacy, Nursing, or related fields. MBA is a plus.
- A minimum of 5 years in a leadership role within Patient Support Services, Market Access, Patient Education, National Accounts, Sales Management, Clinical Education, or Access Leadership.
- In-depth experience in account management and patient/caregiver education
- Strong background and understanding of field environment in healthcare industry
- Strong background and understanding of Rare Disease space
- Proficiency at creating and communicating a clear vision among team members
- Track record of increased responsibilities
- Strong history of successful cross-functional collaboration and leadership presence
Additional Skills:
- Exemplary interpersonal skills
- Must display a patient-centric mentality with a high degree of emotional intelligence and empathy
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills
- Understand HIPAA rules and regulations related to patient privacy
- Strong written and verbal communications, as well as presentation skills
- Ability to manage expenses within allocated budgets
- Adaptable and open to an environment of change
- Must be a fast learner, flexible, and able adjust quickly to Acadia’s rapid pace
- Cross-functional leadership:
- Ability to lead internal teams to achieve common goals; internal teams including sales, case managers, and other commercial functions
- Ability to lead external customers to achieve access for patients; external customers include physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals; public and commercial payers; specialty pharmacies
- Ability to independently identify access solutions and determine the appropriate plan for resolution
- Lead and manage a cross-functional team in the resolution
- Accountable for cross-functional communication internally (case manager, RBL, ABM, Access & Reimbursement) and externally among a diverse set of customers (physician, nurse, hub vendor, specialty pharmacy, patient)
- Strong background and understanding of field environment in healthcare industry
- Ability to travel up to 50%
Physical Requirements:
This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication both in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedule or business needs.
Ability to travel by car or airplane independently up to 80% of the time and work after hours if required by travel schedule or business issues. Required to live within a reasonable distance to a major airport.
In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.
What we offer US-based Employees:
- Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
- 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
- 15+ vacation days
- 13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
- 10 days of paid sick time
- Paid parental leave benefit
- Tuition assistance
EEO Statement (US-based Employees): Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly what we describe here.
It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, including related to hairstyle, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, country of origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, legally-protected medical condition or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status (including reserve status, National Guard status, and military service or obligation), status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, or any basis protected under federal, state or local law.
As an equal opportunity employer, Acadia is committed to a diverse workforce. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, you may request additional support if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Acadia’s career website due to your disability, along with any accommodations throughout the interview process. To request or inquire about your reasonable accommodation, please complete our Reasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at talentacquisition@acadia-pharm.com or 858-261-2923.
Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.
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Notice to Search Firms/Third-Party Recruitment Agencies (Recruiters): The Talent Acquisition team manages the recruitment and employment process for Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Acadia”). Acadia does not accept resumes from recruiters or search firms without an executed search agreement in place. Resumes sent to Acadia employees in the absence of an executed search agreement will not obligate Acadia in any way with respect to the future employment of those individuals or potential remuneration to any recruiter or search firm. Candidates should never be submitted directly to our hiring managers or employees.