Associate Director​/Director of Patient Advocacy

Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing transformative cell and exosome-based therapies for rare diseases. At the forefront of our innovation is
Deramiocel
(CAP-1002), our lead cell therapy in late-stage development for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We are also harnessing our proprietary StealthX™ exosome platform to unlock new possibilities in targeted delivery and vaccinology. Every program reflects our commitment to pushing the boundaries of science and delivering life‑changing treatments to patients and families who need them most.

As an Associate Director / Director of Patient Advocacy at Capricor, you will guide and advance Capricor’s U.S. patient advocacy strategy across the company’s portfolio. In this role, you will cultivate trusted, compliant relationships with patient advocacy organizations, elevate the patient voice across the enterprise, and ensure patient perspectives meaningfully inform strategy from development through commercialization. The ideal candidate brings deep experience partnering with advocacy communities, strong cross functional collaboration skills, and a commitment to patient centered impact in rare and specialty disease areas.

• Lead the development and execution of Capricor’s U.S. patient advocacy strategy across therapeutic areas, aligned with pipeline priorities and long term organizational goals.
• Identify, establish, and nurture compliant, collaborative partnerships with national and regional patient advocacy organizations.
• Serve as a trusted liaison between Capricor and patient communities, fostering consistent, transparent, and ethical engagement.
• Integrate patient insights into clinical development, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Patient Services, and Commercial activities to enhance decision making and strategy.
• Oversee patient listening initiatives, advisory boards, and insight gathering activities in collaboration with cross functional teams and external partners.
• Partner with Medical Affairs and Marketing to develop patient education resources, disease awareness initiatives, and community engagement materials.
• Collaborate with Policy, Access, and Patient Services teams, as well as external organizations, to understand and help address systemic barriers affecting patients and caregivers.
• Ensure all advocacy activities adhere to legal, regulatory, compliance, and corporate governance requirements.
• Track, analyze, and report on advocacy engagement, insights, and program impact to inform future planning and investment.
• Represent Capricor at patient focused meetings, advocacy forums, and relevant conferences to strengthen visibility and trusted engagement across communities.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public health, health policy, communications, or a related field preferred.
• 7–10+ years of experience in patient advocacy or patient engagement, or related external facing roles within biotech or pharma.
• Experience working in rare disease, specialty care, or high unmet need therapeutic areas strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise partnering with national and regional patient advocacy organizations and community leaders.
• Strong understanding of compliant patient engagement practices, grants, sponsor ships, and advocacy interaction requirements.
• Proven ability to translate patient insights into actionable inputs for clinical development, Medical Affairs, Access, and Commercial teams.
• Experience leading patient listening initiatives, advisory boards, or community insight gathering programs.
• Excellent relationship building, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple external partnerships and prioritize initiatives in a fast‑paced, growth‑stage environment.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project‑management capabilities with a commitment to ethical, patient‑centered impact.

$165,000 - $215,000 a year

The posted salary range represents Capricor’s good‑faith estimate of the salary range reasonably expected to be paid for this position at the time of hire. Final compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, education, skills, certifications, scope of role, location, and internal equity.

This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus and, depending on the level of the role, long-term equity incentive awards in accordance with company policy.

Capricor Therapeutics offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage; company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance
; a 401(k) plan with company match; paid time off and company holidays; and paid parental leave. Additional voluntary benefits and wellness programs may also be available.