Associate Director / Director, US Policy and Patient Advocacy

About the role

Shape US policy and patient advocacy strategy in rare disease. Build partnerships, influence access, and ensure patient voices drive decisions.

About us

Hansa Biopharma is a fast-growing, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, pioneering the development and commercialization of innovative, lifesaving and life altering treatments for patients with acute or complex immune disorders. Our broad therapeutic pipeline based on the company’s proprietary IgG-cleaving enzyme technology platform has potential to address serious unmet medical needs in autoimmune diseases, gene therapy, and transplantation. By empowering our people we move our projects forward with high speed, efficiency and scientific excellence. We strive to attract leading talent from around the world, broaden our network of partners and establish a presence in key markets around the world. There are many opportunities for highly qualified, motivated, and passionate team players to join us on our exciting journey. Hansa Biopharma was founded in 2007, with the corporate headquarters in Lund, Sweden and has operations in other European countries and in the US. The Company has been listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm from 2007 to 2015 and on the Nasdaq Stockholm since 2015.

Position summary

Associate Director / Director, US Policy and Patient Advocacy play a pivotal role on the Global Corporate Affairs team at Hansa set and deliver the company’s US policy and patient advocacy engagement strategy aligned with our corporate objectives and in rare immunological diseases business. As part of the Global Corporate Affairs team, this role is responsible for analyzing the US healthcare policy and external environment to identify opportunities and challenges impacting Hansa. The position develops and drives an actionable policy strategy, working closely with US Market Access and cross-functional teams to support sustainable patient access to innovative therapies in rare disease. The role leads engagement with Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) relevant to Hansa’s therapeutic areas, building trusted relationships and structured collaboration plans. Through policy and patient advocacy initiatives, the role supports patient access, engagement, and collaboration across relevant parts of the healthcare ecosystem. The role will serve as a bridge between patient organizations, and Hansa, working closely with US Patient Marketing, and ensuring that patient perspectives are reflected in relevant decision-making.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Analyze the US healthcare policy and external environment to identify opportunities and risks impacting Hansa’s commercial and clinical-stage programs.
• Develop and execute a US policy and environment-shaping plan to support commercialization planning and product launches in the US by ensuring policy and patient advocacy considerations are integrated early and effectively.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (Global Corporate Affairs, Market Access, Commercial, Medical Affairs, R&D) to deliver on agreed policy and patient advocacy priorities.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with policy makers, public health decisionmakers, and patient advocacy groups to advance Hansa’s policy and patient engagement agenda.
• Strategically identify and engage key Patient Advocacy Groups at US, national, and state levels, defining priority programs and partnership opportunities aligned with therapeutic areas.
• Act as a trusted collaboration partner to Patient Advocacy Groups, supporting patient access, engagement, and education initiatives where appropriate and compliant.
• Clearly and impactfully communicate Hansa’s policy positions to external policy, public health, and patient advocacy stakeholders.
• Bring the patients/patient organization perspective into relevant Hansa decision-making process.
• Oversee and track corporate giving and PAG support initiatives, ensuring approved alignment with internal governance, compliance requirements, and ways of working.
• Serve as an active and engaged member of the Global Corporate Affairs team, contributing to strategic development and cross-enterprise collaboration.

Education and experience requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in life sciences, public policy, business, or a related field required; advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MPH, or equivalent) preferred
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in patient advocacy and/or public policy within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
• Proven track record of developing and executing strategic initiatives/projects, including budget planning and management
• Strong understanding of U.S. healthcare policy, regulatory frameworks, and compliance requirements related to patient advocacy engagement, with a demonstrated commitment to operating to the highest ethical standards
• Experience of U.S. product launches is preferred
• THERAPEUTIC AREA EXPERIENCE IN TRANSPLANTATION, RARE DISEASES, AND/OR NEPHROLOGY IS STRONGLY PREFERRED

Capabilities and skills

• Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and build relationships with patient advocacy organizations, policymakers, healthcare stakeholders, and internal cross-functional teams. Proven ability to deliver results in a structured, efficient, and high-quality manner
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse external and internal audiences
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, work collaboratively as part of a team, and contribute to a high-performing environment
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25%

Our culture and values

Working at Hansa is more than a job for us, and our culture is characterised by pride — pride in what we do, in our company, and in what we have achieved and will accomplish for patients around the world. Our culture is built on our core values: Accountability, Courage, Integrity, and Pioneering. These values guide how we work, collaborate, and make decisions every day. We know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the countries and communities in which we operate and ultimately the patients we exist to serve.

Reasons to join the Hansa Team

• A position in a company that envisions life changing outcomes for patients with acute or serious immune mediated conditions.
• The chance to be part of an innovative R&D-driven organisation with a strong desire to make a difference for people.
• An opportunity to build a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with global outreach.
• An open-minded and welcoming atmosphere. Friendly, motivated and skilled colleagues with whom you can both laugh and work.

Contact

To apply, please visit Hansa Biopharma's website and attach your CV in English only. Applications made in other languages will not be considered.