Associate Director, Patient Engagement

CSL Vifor; Thatcham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CSL Vifor is seeking an Associate Director, Patient Engagement Lead to integrate patient perspectives into clinical development and trial design. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams across regions to translate insights into practical recommendations for protocols and participant experiences.

You will partner with patient organizations, advocacy groups, patients, and internal stakeholders to conduct advisory boards and engagement activities that inform study design and patient

Qualifications

• Significant relevant clinical research experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Direct experience in site and patient engagement.
• Thorough understanding of drug development and every stage of a clinical trial, from protocol development to clinical study report, and how each stage affects patients and sites.
• Extensive knowledge of ICH guidelines and GCP, and the ability to review and assess clinical data and complex scientific concepts.
• Proven ability to influence and resolve conflict in a matrix environment, and to mentor and coach peers.
• Strong project management skills across multiple concurrent programmes, with sound judgement in dealings with external parties.

Responsibilities

• Act as an advisor to study teams, turning insight from patients, caregivers, advocacy groups and sites into practical decisions on protocol design, recruitment and retention.
• Represent CSL externally and use data to show what is working and what needs to change.
• Build and maintain relationships with patient advocacy groups, caregivers and trial participants, and use what you learn to inform protocol design and trial communications.
• Advise study teams on patient needs, site expectations and regional healthcare dynamics.
• Lead initiatives that build patient engagement into trial planning, recruitment and retention strategies.
• Develop and implement site engagement strategies with Site Engagement Leads, aimed at long-term partnerships with trial sites and healthcare institutions.
• Represent CSL in external forums, making the case for patient- and site-centric clinical research, and align engagement work with Medical Affairs and external partners.

Skills

Clinical research

Site engagement

Stakeholder management

ICH/GCP knowledge

Job description

Associate Director, Patient Engagement Lead

Nothing About Us Without Us

At CSL, we believe that patients are more than participants in clinical research. They are partners in the development of life-changing therapies. Our Patient Engagement team is dedicated to ensuring that the patient voice is embedded throughout the drug development journey, helping us design clinical programs that are more meaningful, accessible, and responsive to the needs of those we serve.

As a Patient Engagement Lead, you will have the unique opportunity to influence the future of clinical development by bringing patient perspectives directly into decision-making. Working across global, cross-functional teams, you will gather and translate patient insights into actionable recommendations that shape clinical development plans, protocol design, and participant experiences.

You will partner closely with patient organizations, advocacy groups, patients, caregivers, and internal stakeholders to conduct advisory boards and other engagement activities that inform study design and patient-facing materials. Your work will help ensure that clinical trials are designed with patients, not just for patients.

Hybrid based (3 days a week office) in Maidenhead (UK)

What You'll Be Responsible For

You will act as an advisor to study teams, turning insight from patients, caregivers, advocacy groups and sites into practical decisions on protocol design, recruitment and retention. You will also represent CSL externally and use data to show what is working and what needs to change.

• Build and maintain relationships with patient advocacy groups, caregivers and trial participants, and use what you learn to inform protocol design and trial communications
• Advise study teams on patient needs, site expectations and regional healthcare dynamics
• Lead initiatives that build patient engagement into trial planning, recruitment and retention strategies
• Develop and implement site engagement strategies with Site Engagement Leads, aimed at long-term partnerships with trial sites and healthcare institutions
• Represent CSL in external forums, making the case for patient- and site-centric clinical research, and align engagement work with Medical Affairs and external partners

Experience Required

• Significant relevant clinical research experience in the pharmaceutical industry
• Direct experience in site and patient engagement
• Thorough understanding of drug development and every stage of a clinical trial, from protocol development to clinical study report, and how each stage affects patients and sites
• Extensive knowledge of ICH guidelines and GCP, and the ability to review and assess clinical data and complex scientific concepts
• Proven ability to influence and resolve conflict in a matrix environment, and to mentor and coach peers
• Strong project management skills across multiple concurrent programmes, with sound judgement in dealings with external parties

Travel:

Some travel is expected, including attendance at external forums and meetings with patient groups and sites.