Manager Advocacy

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Lead and coordinate activities for Fresenius Medical Care’s team of 100+ contracted Patient Advocates. The Patient Advocate team is comprised of current, former home therapy patients and In-center patients (Home Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis) who share their firsthand experiences with prospective patients, care partners, and healthcare professionals to educate, inspire, and support informed treatment decisions while helping expand home therapies across the United States.

Reporting to the Director of Advocacy, the Patient Advocate Leader will be responsible for onboarding, training, coaching, and developing advocates while elevating the overall impact and effectiveness of the program. This individual must be a strong people leader with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to build trust quickly, and the patience and emotional intelligence needed to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, communication styles, and varying levels of understanding and support needs.

The ideal candidate is passionate about patient-centered care, advocacy, mentorship, and creating meaningful human connections that positively impact patients navigating chronic kidney disease and dialysis therapies.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire the Patient Advocate team, fostering a culture of collaboration, professionalism, empathy, and continuous improvement
• Train and coach advocates to effectively share their stories in ways that educate, inspire, and support prospective patients, care partners, and healthcare professionals
• Build strong relationships with advocates from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, demonstrating patience, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills when supporting individuals with varied communication styles, emotional needs, and learning abilities
• In partnership with Sales and Clinical Consultants, identify and onboard new advocates to expand program reach and representation across key markets
• Collaborate with internal teams to facilitate engaging monthly advocate meetings focused on best-practice sharing, education, skill development, and elevating the Voice of the Patient
• Coordinate advocate participation with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Product Development, Medical, and Policy to support strategic initiatives and patient-centered innovation
• Plan and lead virtual and in-person advocate leadership and development forums
• Develop tools, resources, and best practices that support field teams in effectively engaging local Patient Advocates
• Ensure advocates are fully prepared and professionally supported for speaking engagements, events, and educational opportunities
• Manage advocate evaluations, performance feedback, coaching, and development opportunities
• Maintain and continuously improve onboarding materials, training resources, Patient Advocate Handbooks, and compliance processes
• Track, analyze, and communicate program analytics and performance metrics to optimize program impact and effectiveness
• Collaborate with patient organizations and community partners to support company objectives, patient engagement, and Health Equity initiatives

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS: 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff and physicians.  The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community.  Travel to regional, Business Unit and Corporate meetings may be required. 

Responsible for the direct supervision of the Patient Advocate Team.

Bachelor's Degree required Preferably in Healthcare, Communications or Advocacy related field

• ​ 5+ years of experience in advocacy, patient engagement, customer experience, healthcare, or related leadership roles required
• Insight into patient experiences with renal therapies and chronic disease management preferred
• Experience in advocacy, social work, nursing, patient education, customer experience, or community engagement strongly preferred
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to mentor, coach, and motivate teams
• Highly patient, empathetic, and adaptable when working with individuals who have varying communication styles, emotional needs, learning abilities, and support requirements
• Strong technical proficiency required, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite, virtual meeting platforms, CRM systems, reporting tools, and data tracking/analytics
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and respond with agility and urgency to business and team needs
• Professionalism and strong interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work with all levels of management to influence positive change
• Confident, calm, level-headed, and even tempered under pressure
• Ability to work without direct supervision and meet established deadlines in a fast-paced environment; agility and sense of urgency in responding to team and market needs
• Possess both strategic thinking capabilities and a strong operational, implementation-focused, and detail-oriented mindset

The rate of pay for this position will depend on the successful candidate’s work location and qualifications, including relevant education, work experience, skills, and competencies.

Annual Rate: $85,000.00 - $142,000.00

Non-Bonus Eligible Positions: include language below.
Benefit Overview: This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, parental leave.

Bonus Eligible Positions – include language below.
Benefit Overview: This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, parental leave and potential for performance-based bonuses depending on company and individual performance.

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.