Head of Patient Engagement & Activation

Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join EMD Serono.

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.  

United As One for Patients, our purpose in Healthcare is to help create, improve and prolong lives. We develop medicines, intelligent devices and innovative technologies in therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Neurology and Fertility. Our teams work together across 6 continents with passion and relentless curiosity in order to help patients at every stage of life. Joining our Healthcare team is becoming part of a diverse, inclusive and flexible working culture, presenting great opportunities for personal development and career advancement across the globe.

Reporting To: Head of External Medical Engagement

Organization: Global Medical Affairs

Organization Scope

The Global Head of Patient Engagement & Activation leads the enterprise strategy, governance, and execution of patient engagement and activation initiatives across therapeutic areas and geographies.

The function is responsible for: Patient engagement strategy; Patient activation programs; Patient journey excellence; Patient experience initiatives; Omnichannel patient engagement; Patient insights integration.

Position Summary

The Head of Patient Engagement & Activation develops and implements a comprehensive patient engagement strategy that empowers patients to become active participants in their healthcare journey.

The role ensures the organization systematically incorporates patient perspectives into Medical Affairs activities while developing innovative engagement programs that improve awareness, health literacy, treatment activation, adherence, persistence, and patient outcomes.

The Head of Patient Engagement and Activation works very closely with Patient Advocacy, Clinical Development and Clinical Development Operations team to ensure one harmonized approach toward patients and patient groups.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the global patient engagement strategy.


• Develop long-term patient activation roadmaps.


• Establish patient-centered standards across Medical Affairs.


• Integrate patient perspectives into organizational decision-making.

Functional Leadership

• Build patient activation frameworks.


• Oversee patient journey mapping activities.


• Co-Lead patient advocacy partnerships.


• Develop omnichannel patient engagement models.

People Leadership

• Lead patient engagement teams globally.


• Develop internal capabilities in patient-centricity.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with: Medical Affairs; Patient Advocacy, Market Access;; Commercial Excellence; Digital Health; Public Affairs

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure ethical patient engagement.


• Maintain compliance with healthcare regulations and industry codes.

Ideal Profile

Education: Advanced degree in Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Public Health, Healthcare, Psychology, Nursing, or related discipline.

Experience: 10+ years of healthcare or pharmaceutical experience.

• Significant patient engagement and advocacy experience.


• Global leadership experience preferred.

Technical Competencies: Patient engagement; Behavioral Science; Patient journey management; Digital Health.

Leadership Competencies: Strategy; Influence; Stakeholder management; Innovation; Change Leadership.

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!

Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!