Remote New

PATIENT ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DESIGN AND INNOVATION (Sponsor Dedicated/ Remote - US Based)

Syneos Health/ inVentiv Health Commercial LLC
paid time off, sick time, 401(k)
United States, Maryland
Jan 21, 2026
PATIENT ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DESIGN AND INNOVATION (Sponsor Dedicated/ Remote - US Based) Syneos Health is a leading fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization built to accelerate customer success. We translate unique clinical, medical affairs and commercial insights into outcomes to address modern market realities. Our Clinical Development model brings the customer and the patient to the center of everything that we do. We are continuously looking for ways to simplify and streamline our work to not only make Syneos Health easier to work with, but to make us easier to work for. Whether you join us in a Functional Service Provider partnership or a Full-Service environment, you'll collaborate with passionate problem solvers, innovating as a team to help our customers achieve their goals. We are agile and driven to accelerate the delivery of therapies, because we are passionate to change lives. Discover what our 29,000 employees, across 110 countries already know: WORK HERE MATTERS EVERYWHERE Why Syneos Health We are passionate about developing our people, through career development and progression; supportive and engaged line management; technical and therapeutic area training; peer recognition and total rewards program. We are committed to our Total Self culture - where you can authentically be yourself. Our Total Self culture is what unites us globally, and we are dedicated to taking care of our people. We are continuously building the company we all want to work for and our customers want to work with. Why? Because when we bring together diversity of thoughts, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives - we're able to create a place where everyone feels like they belong. Job Responsibilities Associate Director, Patient Engagement SponsorDedicated Role / Remote - US Based Direct Pharmaceutical Experience Required Redefine How Patients Shape Drug Development This is a rare opportunity to lead patientfocused drug development from the inside of a pharmaceutical organization, while being supported by the global scale and innovation engine of Syneos Health. As Associate Director, Patient Engagement, you will serve as a strategic leader embedded within a sponsor's clinical development organization, responsible for integrating the patient voice across the full development lifecycle-from early molecule strategy through clinical execution and evidence generation. Your work will directly influence how trials are designed, how patients experience participation, and how development decisions are made at an enterprise level. This is not a support or executiononly role. It is a visible, highinfluence, sponsorside position requiring handson experience leading patient engagement and patient recruitment strategies within a pharmaceutical company. Experience limited to CROs, investigative sites, agencies, or service providers does not meet the requirements of this role. What You Will Drive A global strategy for patientfocused trial design, patient experience enhancement, and patientcentered evidence generation Sponsorside patient recruitment and retention strategies embedded directly into clinical development planning and execution Patient journey analytics, inclusion frameworks, and codesigned engagement initiatives that improve recruitment performance, reduce participant burden, and increase trial satisfaction Strategies to strengthen representation and inclusion across therapeutic areas and geographies Enterpriselevel change management to scale patient engagement capabilities, standardize best practices, and modernize the clinical trial experience Crossfunctional collaboration with Clinical Operations, Clinical Research, Regulatory, Data Science, Medical Affairs, Public Affairs, Commercial, and Corporate Affairs Strategic input into policy and regulatory initiatives related to PFDD, PFMD, the 21st Century Cures Act, PDUFA VII, digital health, and realworld evidence Engagement with patient advocacy groups, caregivers, and external stakeholders to support longterm trust and advocacy Why This Role Matters Patient engagement is no longer optional-it is a competitive differentiator in drug development. Regulatory expectations, digital innovation, realworld data, and patient advocacy are reshaping how clinical programs are evaluated and rewarded. In this role, you won't react to that change-you'll lead it. You will help ensure that patient perspectives are not an afterthought, but a core pillar of how development decisions are made, improving trial feasibility, regulatory confidence, participant experience, and overall development outcomes. Why Join Us SponsorDedicated Impact, Powered by Syneos This role is fully sponsordedicated, meaning you operate as an embedded leader within a pharmaceutical organization-participating in real development decisions, governance discussions, and crossfunctional planning-not as an external vendor. At the same time, as part of Syneos Health, you gain access to a global organization known for advancing patientcentric innovation at scale, including industryleading capabilities in data science, digital health, realworld evidence, and patient engagement methodology. The Best of Both Worlds True sponsorside ownership of patient engagement and recruitment strategy Longterm impact, building scalable capabilities within a single sponsor portfolio Innovation at scale, leveraging Syneos' tools, insights, and crossindustry expertise A careerdefining opportunity to be recognized as a leader in patientfocused drug development If you want to shape how patient voice becomes operational reality-not just a philosophy-this role delivers that platform. What Success Looks Like Patient insights are embedded in protocol design, endpoint selection, and development strategy Recruitment and retention improve because trials are designed with patients, not just for them Patient engagement approaches are consistent, scalable, and measurable across programs The sponsor is recognized internally and externally as a leader in patientfocused development What You Bring Required 5+ years of experience in patient engagement, patient recruitment, or patientcentric clinical trial strategy within a pharmaceutical company Demonstrated experience influencing crossfunctional leaders and driving enterprise change Strong understanding of global clinical development, regulatory frameworks, and operational decisionmaking Proven ability to design and execute global, multifunctional patient engagement initiatives Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and regulatory concepts into clear strategy Preferred Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Data Science, Information Technology, or related field Experience with digital health solutions, realworld data, and patient engagement technology Prior leadership of large, global clinical development programs or transformation initiatives This Role Is Not a Fit If... Your experience is limited to CRO, sitelevel, agency, or servicesvendor roles You have not owned patient engagement or recruitment strategy from within a pharmaceutical sponsor You are seeking rotational project work rather than deep, sponsorembedded leadership Take the Lead in PatientFocused Development If you have driven patient engagement from inside a pharmaceutical organization and are ready to shape how patients influence the future of medicine-while backed by the innovation and scale of Syneos Health-this role offers a rare and meaningful opportunity. At Syneos Health, we believe in providing an environment and culture in which Our People can thrive, develop and advance. We reward and recognize our people by providing valuable benefits and a quality-of-life balance. The benefits for this position may include a company car or car allowance, Health benefits to include Medical, Dental and Vision, Company match 401k, eligibility to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Eligibility to earn commissions/bonus based on company and individual performance, and flexible paid time off (PTO) and sick time. Because certain states and municipalities have regulated paid sick time requirements, eligibility for paid sick time may vary depending on where you work. Syneos complies with all applicable federal, state, and municipal paid sick time requirements. Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $210,900.00 The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high of the Syneos Health range for this position. Actual salary will vary based on various factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role. Get to know Syneos Health Over the past 5 years, we have worked with 94% of all Novel FDA Approved Drugs, 95% of EMA Authorized Products and over 200 Studies across 73,000 Sites and 675,000+ Trial patients. No matter what your role is, you'll take the initiative and challenge the status quo with us in a highly competitive and ever-changing environment. Learn more about Syneos Health. http://www.syneoshealth.com Additional Information Tasks, duties, and responsibilities as listed in this job description are not exhaustive. The Company, at its sole discretion and with no prior notice, may assign other tasks, duties, and job responsibilities. Equivalent experience, skills, and/or education will also be considered so qualifications of incumbents may differ from those listed in the Job Description. The Company, at its sole discretion, will determine what constitutes as equivalent to the qualifications described above. Further, nothing contained herein should be construed to create an employment contract. Occasionally, required skills/experiences for jobs are expressed in brief terms. Any language contained herein is intended to fully comply with all obligations imposed by the legislation of each country in which it operates, including the implementation of the EU Equality Directive, in relation to the recruitment and employment of its employees. The Company is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the provision of reasonable accommodations, when appropriate, to assist employees or applicants to perform the essential functions of the job.