Associate Director, Media & Patient Communications

argenx • Washington, DC

19h • Remote

About The Position

Join us as we transform immunology and deliver medicines that help autoimmune patients get their lives back. argenx is preparing for multi-dimensional expansion to reach more patients through a rich pipeline of differentiated assets, led by VYVGART, our first-in-class neonatal Fc receptor blocker approved for the treatment of gMG, and with the potential to treat patients across dozens of severe autoimmune diseases. We are building a new kind of biotech company, one that maintains its roots as a science-based start-up and pushes our commitment to innovate across all corners of our business. We strive to inspire and grow our company, our partnerships, our science, and our people, because when we do, we deliver more for patients. The Associate Director, Media & Patient Communications will operate within a collaborative Corporate Affairs Team to coordinate media relations, patient advocacy communications, public affairs strategies, and issues/crisis communications for the U.S. region (with global coordination). This is a high-visibility role reporting to the Head of Corporate Communications and External Affairs and partnering closely with patient experience, legal, regulatory, commercial, and medical affairs teams. The ideal candidate has experience in life sciences / biotech communications, patient advocacy communications, understands the regulatory and policy landscape, and thrives in high-stakes environments.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in corporate communications, public affairs, media relations, patient advocacy communications, or similar (ideally in biotech, pharma, health / life sciences)
• BS/BA Degree Required
• Demonstrated experience in issues / crisis communications, especially in a regulated environment
• Demonstrated experience working with advocacy groups, patient groups, and rare disease organizations
• Familiarity with U.S. health, policy, regulatory, reimbursement and/or legislative environment
• Excellent writing, editorial, and presentation skills
• Ability to distill complex scientific / technical information into clear, compelling narratives
• Strong relationships with U.S. media in biotech / health
• Experience working with senior executives as spokespeople
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment

Responsibilities

• Co-create and execute integrated media, patient and advocacy communications, and public affairs strategies that support argenx’ business goals and enhance our reputation
• Engage in proactive storytelling about product development, scientific insights, patient impact, and advocacy initiatives
• Serve as a communications partner for planning and response in issues and crisis situations
• Coordinate and manage media outreach, spokesperson preparation, media training, press releases, Q&A, backgrounders, and briefing materials
• Monitor media, regulatory, and policy developments, assessing potential business or reputational impact, and leveraging issue trends analyses to develop proactive and reactive communications plans
• Partner with internal cross-functional teams to align messaging and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and medical standards
• Support U.S. public policy engagement and stakeholder mapping to deliver on the company’s advocacy objectives
• Co-create and execute crisis communications playbooks, simulations, and readiness drills
• Coordinate with external agencies and patient advocacy organizations
• Develop and implement media plans to amplify argenx’s scientific story, pipeline milestones, partnerships, and corporate narrative
• Cultivate relationships with key biotech / health / policy reporters, editors, and media outlets
• Work closely with patient advocacy medical affairs, regulatory, clinical, legal, commercial, and investor relations teams to ensure message alignment
• Support product launches, labeling, regulatory filings, and other key business milestones with earned media and stakeholder communications planning
• Serve as an argenx spokesperson
• Collaborate with clinical operations and patient advocacy teams to develop and deliver clear, timely updates on clinical trial progress, enrollment, and results to patient and advocacy groups
• Build and maintain strong relationships with patient advocacy organizations, ensuring open channels for two-way communication and feedback on clinical and non-clinical initiatives
• Create patient-friendly materials and resources that translate complex scientific and trial information into accessible, actionable content for diverse patient communities
• Coordinate joint communications efforts with advocacy organizations on awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and support programs that advance shared goals
• Maintain issue and media monitoring systems, assess reputational risks, flag early warning signs
• Coordinate development and execution of crisis playbooks, prepare response materials, coordinate across legal and executive stakeholders
• Conduct scenario planning, media simulations, and training
• Monitor U.S. federal, state, and local policy developments relevant to biotech, immunology, rare disease, reimbursement, regulatory oversight, and health access
• Draft and review messaging for policy engagement
• Collaborate with external and government affairs communities, as well as with internal and external patient advocacy partners

Benefits

• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term and long-term incentive programs, subject to the terms and conditions of those plans and applicable policies.
• It also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to retirement savings plans, health benefits and other benefits subject to the terms of the applicable plans and program guidelines.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level