Senior Vice President, Program Leadership

Responsibilities

• Required location: Waltham, MA (hub-based, onsite 3-4 days per week)
• Own end-to-end program leadership for late-stage assets from Phase 3 through regulatory approval and launch readiness
• Drive integrated program strategy, cross-functional alignment, and milestone execution across development, regulatory, CMC, and commercial readiness
• Ensure the right contributors are at the table for the right decisions - functioning as the connective tissue across all functions
• Maintain a clear-eyed view of risk, timelines, and dependencies; proactively surface issues and drive resolution
• Lead development strategy for programs in Phase 3, with a deep understanding of clinical, regulatory, and CMC interdependencies
• Partner with R&D and Regulatory to shape late-stage plans, trial design, indication strategy, and submission timelines
• Bring strong development instincts and the ability to anticipate challenges before they become crises
• Focus is on development strategy, not portfolio optimization - depth over breadth
• Ensure commercial, medical, and market access functions are fully prepared for launch at the point of approval
• Coordinate launch readiness milestones as an integrated component of the program plan - not as a separate post-approval workstream
• Note: Post-launch lifecycle management is outside the scope of this role
• Build and implement strong decision-making and planning processes with multi-year implications
• Establish program governance frameworks, review cadences, and accountability structures
• Drive clarity and discipline in how programs are run, not just what decisions are made
• Serve as a strong, confident voice in a room full of high-performing executives with strong opinions - influence without authority is essential
• Operate as both a strategic leader and a hands-on doer; roll up sleeves when the situation demands it
• Represent the program leadership function at the executive committee and in board-level discussions
• Ensure all program activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies
• Champion transparent, data-driven decision-making and ethical business practices
• Maintain robust risk management oversight across the program portfolio
• Required Qualifications:
• 15+ years of progressive experience in biotech or pharma, with a strong focus on drug development
• Demonstrated track record of driving programs from Phase 3 through regulatory approval - ideally multiple times across both pharma and biotech settings
• Experience building and structuring program governance, decision-making frameworks, and planning processes - not just executing within existing systems
• Proven success in launch readiness as an integrated part of late-stage development
• Experience leading and elevating cross-functional program teams
• Track record of success in general medicine therapeutic areas (cardiovascular, diabetes, endocrinology, metabolic disease, or similar); oncology-only backgrounds are less preferred
• Experience spanning both pharma and biotech environments, including time at larger organizations and lean, high-growth biotechs
• History of moving from large pharma into a biotech leadership role, bringing process rigor while adapting to speed and ambiguity
• Exposure to highly visible, executive-facing program leadership roles
• Open to relocation; role requires 3-4 days per week in office if located in Massachusetts. One week per month in the office if remote.
• Local candidates will be given equal consideration when qualifications are comparable
• Education:
• Advanced degree (MD, PhD, PharmD, MBA, or equivalent); combination pref

Benefits

Additional Information

At Kailera, we are bold, authentic and committed to our mission of developing therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health. Rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit and a team-oriented culture, we are working together to advance Kailera's mission to advance novel therapies for obesity and related conditions. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes collaboration, integrity, and excellence. As we expand, we seek the most talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to join our team.

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