Senior/Executive Director, (Head) of Patient Advocacy & Engagement in London

Work with us. Our team are passionate in the pursuit of excellence and in pushing the boundaries of cancer therapy and autoimmune disease to deliver life-changing treatments to patients. Whilst working at Autolus you will enjoy a flexible, diverse and dynamic working environment which actively promotes creativity, leadership and teamwork – together we are ONE Autolus.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic and Functional Leadership
  • Develop and lead Autolus’ global patient advocacy & engagement strategy, focusing on the specific needs of the relevant patient communities (ALL, SLE and MS).
  • Build and execute a global patient advocacy/engagement roadmap that aligns with corporate goals.
  • Act as the primary liaison between Autolus and the patient community, ensuring continuous engagement and meaningful collaboration.
  • Set clear priorities, accountabilities and quality standards across the company when engaging with the patient community.
  • Manage plans, budgets and resources in line with corporate priorities.
  • Champion a company-wide culture that values the patient perspective alongside our corporate values and leadership competencies.
  • Develop scalable processes, tools and governance that support portfolio growth.
• Patient Engagement
  • Build and sustain partnerships with global and local patient advocacy groups to ensure patient voices are represented across all stages of the medicines lifecycle.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally (e.g. Medical Affairs, Clinical, Commercial, Country Teams) to integrate patient insights into clinical trial design, regulatory strategy, and product development.
  • Lead the organization of advisory boards, patient roundtables, patient speakers and community forums to gather patient insights and share developments in cell therapies.
• Patient Advocacy
  • Identify and cultivate patient advocacy partnerships, working closely with key advocacy organizations, patient advocates, healthcare providers, and thought leaders in the field.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally (e.g. Policy, Market Access, Country Teams) to integrate patient perspectives into evidence generation, health-technology assessment dossiers and launch plans.
  • Create and manage global patient advocacy programs that include patient education, support services, and communication initiatives focused on cell therapies.
• Information and Awareness Campaigns
  • Oversee the development of educational materials and external communications that raise awareness about disease areas, Autolus’ clinical trials, and new treatments.
  • Work with the communications team to ensure consistent, patient-centered messaging highlights the impact of Autolus' therapies on patient outcomes.
  • Represent Autolus at industry conferences, advocacy group events, and public forums, ensuring the patient perspective is central to public discussions on treatment access and innovation.
• Collaboration with Internal Stakeholders
  • Partner with internal teams (including Medical Affairs, Clinical Development Regulatory, Access and Affiliate Teams) to integrate patient advocacy insights into Autolus' strategic planning and execution.
  • Provide strategic input and regular updates to senior leadership.
  • Collaborate with the market access team to advocate for patient access to novel treatments and inform pricing, reimbursement, and access strategies.
• Compliance and Ethical Standards
  • Ensure that all patient advocacy activities comply with relevant regulatory, legal, and ethical guidelines.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to patient advocacy & engagement, ensuring alignment with global standards and Autolus policies.

Demonstrated skills and competencies

• Experience and Expertise
  • Significant experience in patient advocacy & engagement, or a related role within the biopharmaceutical industry, with a focus on oncology or autoimmune preferred.
  • Proven track record of leading global patient advocacy strategies (Global/EU/UK), ideally within the field of oncology or autoimmune.
  • Experience integrating patient insights into clinical development and related decision making.
  • Deep understanding of cell therapy, including its regulatory and clinical development landscapes, particularly in relation to patient access and engagement.
  • Established relationships with patient advocacy organizations, key opinion leaders (KOLs), and healthcare providers in oncology and/or autoimmune diseases.
• Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, medicine/nursing, health policy, social sciences, public health, or related field. An advanced degree (e.g. MBA, MSc, MD, PhD, MPH) is a plus.
• Skills/Specialist knowledge
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with diverse patient populations, advocacy groups, and senior leadership.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive patient-centered initiatives across global organizations.
  • Strong organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and compliance with regulatory standards.

Travel

Ability to travel internationally as required to attend advocacy meetings, conferences, and internal strategy sessions (up to 30%).

Autolus Leadership Behaviours (incorporating Core Competencies)

• Clarify direction and inspire; Using good judgement to set clear and compelling goals that show your team how their work contributes to our purpose and strategy.
• Deliver goals and plans; Creating joint plans with your team to deliver your goals, holding yourself and others accountable for delivering quality results.
• Work collaboratively; Cultivating a network of relationships across the organisation and building high performing teams based on mutual trust and respect.
• Optimise potential; Creating a healthy, engaged and empowered working environment that invests in people and their development.
• Role Model our values; Acting as a role model ensuring everything you do is in line with our values of respect, integrity, focus and breakthrough.

Autolus is committed to the protection of the personal information that we collect & process and we are fully compliant with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Autolus is committed to providing an inclusive and fair workplace for all. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We also provide reasonable accommodations where appropriate. Autolus’ success is driven by equality and inclusion; we believe all voices are of equal value and must be heard. Whilst operating with focus and integrity, we are committed to improving diversity and inclusion within our business and our industry.