Senior Manager, Patient Access and Support Programs

Background

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is the state’s Stem Cell Agency. We were created by the voters of California when they approved Proposition 71 in 2004, and renewed when Proposition 14 was approved in 2020, providing $5.5 billion to invest in stem cell research in California. CIRM’s mission, to accelerate world-class science to deliver transformative regenerative medicine treatments in an equitable manner to a diverse California and world, is what drives us to succeed every day.

To meet this challenge, our team of highly trained and experienced professionals actively partners with both academia and industry in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment to fast-track the development of today’s most promising stem cell and regenerative medicine technologies. 

CIRM is the world’s largest institution dedicated to helping people by bringing the promise of regenerative medicine closer to reality. 

General Statement

Patient Access Team collaborates across CIRM’s core programs to foster innovative care delivery models and enhance the accessibility of regenerative medicine therapies. This team develops and manages clinical infrastructure programs such as the Alpha Clinics Network, Community Care Centers of Excellence, and the Patient Support Program. Additionally, the group serves as a bridge to policymakers, collaborating with CIRM’s Affordability and Accessibility Working Group (AAWG) and Standards Working Group (SWG) as outlined in Proposition 14, and supports other policy functions. 

Role Summary

The Senior Manager, Patient Access and Support Programs will oversee and optimize CIRM’s Patient Support Program. This program has been developed to support the logistical and financial needs of patients enrolled in clinical trials. This role serves as a liaison between the Patient Support Program operations and CIRM’s clinical trials network (the Alpha Clinics Network) to enhance trial recruitment, patient retention, and equitable participation.

This position is classified as Senior Project Manager; however, the working title is Senior Manager, Patient Access and Support Programs. 

Job Functions

Patient Support Program (PSP) Management

• Manage and optimize PSP operations to ensure high-quality patent access and support services, working closely with CIRM’s external contractor (Eversana).
• Act as a primary liaison between CIRM, Eversana, and other service providers to access program performance, identify gaps, and implement improvements that enhance patient support.
• Develop and strengthen partnerships with external vendors and stakeholders to improve service delivery, patient experience, and access to trial resources.
• Analyze and optimize PSP financial resources to ensure cost-effectiveness and sustainability, while aligning CIRM’s mission and maximizing patient impact.
• Leverage project management tools and methodologies to monitor progress, improve efficiencies, and minimize issues.
• Lead budget oversight for the PSP program reviewing fund transfers from the Patient Assistance Fund, ensuring compliance with spending guidelines and closely collaborating with finance to approve necessary adjustments.
• Coordinate the development, implementation, and refinement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for PSP execution and oversight.
• Support contract negotiations and renewals related to patient access and support services, ensuring alignment with CIRM’s strategic objectives and regulatory requirements.

Strategic Collaboration with Alpha-Clinics Network and CCCE Program

• Align PSP operations with Alpha Clinics and Community Care Centers of Excellence (CCCE) infrastructure to enhance patient access, improve trial recruitment, and strengthen retention strategies.
• Collaborate with the Sr PM (Alpha Clinics & CCCE Lead) to integrate PSP resources into Alpha Clinics workflows, ensuring smooth patient navigation across sites.
• Design and implement training programs for Alpha Clinics sites and staff, focusing on patient support best practices, PSP resource utilization, and trial navigation optimization.
• Develop strategic educational materials for Alpha Clinics sites, ensuring that Alpha Clinics stakeholders can effectively communicate PSP resources to diverse patient populations.
• Collaborate with the CCCE program to promote diversity and equity in clinical trial participation by leveraging PSP resources to address patient barriers.
• Participate in Alpha Clinics Steering Committees and relevant working groups to provide insights into patient access trends and programmatic needs.

Program Operations & Reporting

• Develop and present reports to internal and external stakeholders, including CIRM leadership and the governing board, on PSP performance, patient demographics, and financial sustainability.
• Oversee and enhance data collection and quality control to ensure accurate, timely, and actionable reporting of patient support metrics to continuously improve PSP’s program effectiveness.
• Manage contract compliance for patient support initiatives, tracking vendor deliverables and ensuring adherence to regulatory and financial requirements.
• Support and improve CIRM’s patient-facing digital platforms, including the clinical trials dashboard, to ensure ease of access, user-friendliness, and patient engagement in trial opportunities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Outreach

• Lead cross-team collaboration efforts between PSP, Alpha Clinics, CCCE, and the broader CIRM clinical network to harmonize patient access efforts.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with external stakeholders, including patient advocacy groups, industry partners, and community organizations, to expand PSP capabilities and improve trial accessibility.
• Represent CIRM at community engagement events, patient forums, and industry conferences to promote awareness of patient support initiatives.

Harmonizing the CIRM Mission

• Actively champion CIRM’s mission by driving patient access initiatives, improving equity in clinical trial participation, and optimizing support services for diverse populations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional CIRM teams to identify efficiencies, enhance patient-centered strategies, and implement best practices for patient support programs.
• Support and align with team decisions to advance organizational objectives that prioritize patient access, engagement, and retention.

Supervision Received

The Senior Manager, Patient Access and Support Programs reports to the Associate Director of Patient Access.

Supervision Exercised

None

Qualifications (Experience and Education)

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Business Administration, Healthcare Management, Economics, Science, or a related field required; Master’s is preferred.
• Preferred minimum of 6 years of work-related experience in patient access and support programs, stakeholder engagement, or clinical trial logistics.
• Preferred minimum of 1 year of experience or demonstrated knowledge in financial oversight, program budgeting, or fund allocation management within an organization; experience in healthcare or biotechnology is a plus.

Competencies and Skills

• Skilled in contract negotiations, vendor management, and financial auditing, with a strong understanding of regulatory compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Ability to be detailed, organized and forward thinking with focus on anticipated trends, challenges, and opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability in designing and delivering training materials and educational programs tailored to diverse audiences.
• Understanding of various recruitment approaches, including community-based outreach, digital engagement, and provider partnerships.
• Knowledge of large-scale clinical trial networks (e.g., Alpha Clinics) and patient recruitment strategies for investigational therapies.
• Ability in effectively serving as a liaison between patients, healthcare providers, and organizational stakeholders.
• Knowledge of clinical networks, health systems, or the biotechnology industry.
• Ability to professionally represent CIRM in internal and external engagements.
• Ability to identify inefficiencies, implement process improvements, and drive continuous enhancements.
• Ability to analyze program performance, develop process improvements, and implement best practices for operational efficiency.
• Proven ability to navigate legal and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to engage with stakeholders by effectively presenting complex programmatic and financial data to leadership, external partners, and regulatory bodies.
• Advanced knowledge of health economics, insurance reimbursement models, or payer negotiations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Project management skills in planning, executing, and stakeholder coordination including use of project management software.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid environment, required to work two days in the South San Francisco office and three days remotely. In-person attendance of organizational meetings and board, subcommittee, and working group meetings as required.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be willing to work in a high-rise building.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Be available to work outside of normal business hours.

Salary Range

This position is expected to pay $127,308 - $142,000 which fits within the full salary range of 127,308 - $161,813. It is uncommon for an individual to be offered a salary close to the upper end of the full range for a position. Salary for this position will reflect the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, in addition to being aligned with the internal peer group.

Benefits: Employee Benefits and Programs

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the interview process should inform the interview scheduler at the time of scheduling. 

Contact Information

For general questions regarding this position or inquiries specifically related to reasonable accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), please contact jobs@cirm.ca.gov.

Additional EEO Contact Information

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Salary : $127,308 - $142,000