Senior Director, Patient Advocacy & Communications Lead, EMEA

Scholar Rock is delivering muscle-targeted breakthroughs to transform the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other rare neuromuscular diseases where muscle atrophy remains a critical unmet need.

As a global leader in myostatin biology, a field focused on proteins that regulate muscle mass, the biopharmaceutical company is named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures. Our commitment to unlock fundamentally different treatment approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients through its highly innovative anti-myostatin program, including opportunities in additional rare neuromuscular diseases. Learn more about our neuromuscular franchise at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock on X and on LinkedIn.

 

The Patient Advocacy & Corporate Communications Lead, EMEA will be responsible for developing and executing integrated patient advocacy and communications strategies that advance the company's mission, strengthen stakeholder trust, and support business objectives across the region, starting with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and including  facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) in line with clinical development milestones. 

This role will serve as the primary EMEA lead for patient advocacy engagement while also driving corporate and product communications, executive visibility, disease awareness initiatives, and internal communications. The successful candidate will engage the SMA community (and communities for future disease states) to establish and solidify trust and act as a connector to patient and advocate perspectives to drive Scholar Rock’s patient first values. They will act as a trusted strategic advisor to regional leadership and work cross-functionally with Medical Affairs, Global patient advocacy and communications, Market Access, Clinical Development, Regulatory, and Commercial Teams, supported by global and regional agency partners.

The ideal candidate combines deep understanding of the rare disease community with exceptional communications and stakeholder management capabilities and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial biotech environment.

 

 

Develop and Execute Advocacy Strategy

Build Meaningful Community Partnerships

Generate Patient Insights

Corporate Reputation & Narrative

Media & External Communications

Executive Communications & Thought Leadership

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Communications, Public Affairs, Public Health, Healthcare Management, or related field preferred.

Experience

• 8-12+ years of relevant experience within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or rare diseases.
• Significant experience in patient advocacy, corporate communications, public affairs, or stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated success working with patient organizations and advocacy communities.
• Experience supporting products in development, launch, or commercialization preferred.
• Strong understanding of the rare disease landscape and European healthcare environment.
• Experience working across multiple European countries and stakeholder groups.

Core Competencies

Patient-Centric Leadership

• Passion for improving the lives of patients and caregivers.
• Ability to build trusted and compliance relationships based on empathy, authenticity, and credibility.

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to connect advocacy and communications initiatives to broader business goals.
• Strong judgment and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.

Influencing & Collaboration

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to influence without authority and work effectively across functions.

Communication Excellence

• Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to translate complex scientific and business topics into clear and compelling messages.

Agility & Execution

• Comfortable operating in a growing biotech environment where strategic thinking and hands-on execution are equally important.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results with limited resources.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 12-24 months, the successful candidate will:

• Implement an integrated multi-channel advocacy and communications plan for priority markets
• Establish the company as a trusted partner within the EMEA rare neuromuscular disease community, starting with SMA.
• Build a sustainable network of patient advocacy partnerships across key markets.
• Create a structured process for incorporating patient insights into business decisions.
• Elevate corporate visibility and strengthen the company's reputation among patients, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and partners.
• Deliver integrated advocacy and communications programs that support corporate growth and future commercialization.

 

 

Scholar Rock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.