Vice President, R&D Strategic Planning & Operations

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.

What You'll Do:

The VP/SVP, R&D Strategic Planning & Operations reports to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Kailera Therapeutics. The primary objective of this role is to ensure Kailera Therapeutic’s’ emergent CMO organization is focused and enabled to deliver strategically and operationally by amplifying the leadership reach of the CMO, as well as their direct reports. This role serves as a strategic thought partner to the CMO, helping to manage and direct strategic decisions and operations for the CMO organization. This pivotal role requires a natural ability to build strong, trusting internal partnerships across the organization and drive progress on key initiatives, cross-functional projects, and effective communications on behalf of the CMO. As the CMO Leadership Team’s trusted counsel and representative this role will work closely within the CMO organization and with Kailera Therapeutics’ leaders and stakeholders across all functional areas to ensure focus on corporate priorities, enable cross-functional alignment and efficient decision-making. This role requires an experienced and highly resourceful leader who thrives in a fast-moving, high-pressure environment, operating with strong emotional intelligence, self-direction, and comfort with ambiguity. A background in Clinical Development and Medical Affairs is preferred; competence in defining strategy with demonstrated operational experience would be a strong fit.

Responsibilities:

• Guides CMO organization in creating an integrated view on long-range and short-term objectives closely aligned with corporate priorities, and in defining a clear path to achieving those
• Enables functional leaders with the CMO organization to develop cross-functionally integrated operating plans, ensuring alignment of resources and integration with overall corporate plan & budget
• Monitors execution, and drives accountability and transparency for progress against goals and for priority programs and projects
• Works closely with functional leaders within the CMO organization and corporate functions to provide a consistent strategic narrative across objectives and priorities owned by the CMO
• Leads CMO Leadership Team meetings, encouraging consultation and discourse with all stakeholders, driving transparent, efficient and accountable decision-making, and ensuring emerging concerns are addressed proactively and collaboratively
• Establishes governance model for appropriate scientific and operational oversight of deliverables and activities driven by the CMO organization. Facilitates governance forums, and works closely with deliverables owners in preparation and follow-up
• Supports development and preparation of CMO communications, such as presentations for corporate or scientific audiences, or townhalls
• Proactively identifies gaps and issues across the emergent CMO organization and designs solutions/initiatives to address them
• Charters, leads and drives decisions for key strategic projects within the CMO’s areas of accountability or for Kailera Therapeutics overall, as assigned. Works with leaders at Kailera Therapeutics individually and collectively to attain corporate priorities
• May provide interim leadership for core functional capabilities within the CMO organization, as assigned. Supports leaders within the CMO organization for an efficient set-up of newly built capabilities and operations
• Represents CMO and their Leadership Team on corporate or cross-functional initiatives outside of the CMO organization, as assigned, serving as a subject-matter expert, advocate and liaison

Qualifications:

• Impactful leadership skills, with a demonstrated ability to build a new organization, enable new leaders, and help a newly formed team to come together and thrive
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills, combining attention to detail with a big picture perspective
• Deep understanding of drug development, and of the functional capabilities contributing to development and commercialization of innovative new therapeutics
• Adept at prioritizing and managing multiple tasks simultaneously, integrating cross-functional issues, and balancing competing priorities effectively
• Results-oriented, strong organizational and project management skills, with a proven ability to bring structure, purpose and focus to assignments with a high degree of ambiguity
• Demonstrated cross-functional leadership capabilities, leading, collaborating and influencing without relying on authority
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset with a desire to shape and positively impact a new company’s evolving culture
• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, tact, and an ability to earn the trust and respect of senior leaders and peers, and to build relationships across all levels of an organization
• Strong oral and written communication skills and interpersonal savvy
• Passionate, adaptable and able to succeed in a fast-paced, innovative, and, at times, uncertain or changing environment, contributing with flexibility and resourcefulness
• D., M.D., PharmD, or other advanced degree with at least 15 years of direct experience in the biopharmaceutical industry
• Strategic and operational experience in roles of increasing responsibility in Clinical Development and/or Medical Affairs preferred

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION: 

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, creed, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age (40 and over), sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, reproductive health decisions, domestic victim status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

E-Verify:

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

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