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Director, New Target Strategy

Lexington, MA

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals is a commercial‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing novel therapies for diseases with unmet need, with a focus on cardiovascular indications. With deep expertise in immunology and inflammation, Kiniksa is advancing a growing portfolio of approved and investigational medicines, anchored by its lead product, ARCALYST®, the first and only FDA‑approved therapy for recurrent pericarditis. Grounded in rigorous science and bold innovation, the company fosters a highly collaborative, patient‑first culture led by accomplished life sciences leaders. At Kiniksa, talented individuals are trusted and empowered to make a real impact—shaping the future of medicine while improving the lives of patients who need it most.

Kiniksa is seeking a highly motivated and scientifically rigorous Director, New Target Strategy to lead and contribute to early discovery efforts within the Business Development organization. The role reports to Group Vice President, Chief Business Officer. This role will play a critical leadership position in target identification, scientific diligence, and target validation, helping to evaluate, build, and advance a robust and differentiated portfolio through internal discovery and external business development activities in rare, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.

The Director will work cross‑functionally with research, pre-clinical development, translational research, CMC, nonclinical safety, and clinical colleagues to ensure strong biological rationale and development readiness of targets and programs from inception through non‑clinical and clinical development.

This role is based in our Lexington, MA office and requires employees to be onsite five days per week.

Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):

  • Lead identification and prioritization of novel therapeutic targets using information such as human genetics, functional genomics, emerging disease biology and clinical data.
  • Contribute to portfolio strategy by evaluating disease mechanisms, competitive landscapes, and unmet medical needs and drive hypothesis generation grounded in human disease relevance and translational potential.
  • Serve as a scientific lead for internal and external diligence activities related to new targets, platforms, non-clinical- and early clinical-stage assets, critically assess biological plausibility, differentiation, feasibility, and risk of potential targets and programs and prepare and present clear, data driven recommendations to senior busine       ss development and research leadership.
  • Design target validation strategies incorporating in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo approaches ensuring development of high‑quality biological data packages to support progression into lead candidate development, collaborating closely with chemistry, biologics, and platform teams to align biology with modality and development strategy.

Standout Skills for Impact:

  • Translating Human Biology into High-Value Targets - Convert insights from human genetics, multi-omics, and disease biology into prioritized, therapeutically actionable targets in complex diseases.
  • Strategic Scientific Diligence & Portfolio Judgment - Rigorously evaluating early-stage assets and platforms, balancing biological rationale, differentiation, and risk to drive confident investment and partnering decisions.
  • End-to-End Target Validation Leadership - Designing and executing integrated validation strategies across in vitro, in vivo, and translational models that generate decision-enabling data for candidate advancement.
  • Willingness and curiosity to learn and implement emerging AI tools to drive efficiency.
  • Patient-Centered Drive & Entrepreneurial Energy - Brings a high-energy, mission-driven mindset with a deep commitment to improving patient outcomes, proactively advancing innovative ideas and opportunities in areas of unmet medical need.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Ph.D. in Immunology, Biology, Pharmacology, or a related life sciences discipline with 10+ years of discovery research experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industry, including demonstrated leadership at the program or project level.
  • Proven track record in target identification and validation within immunology, cardiovascular disease, or related complex disease areas with demonstrated ability to translate human biology into actionable discovery hypotheses.
  • Experience leading or contributing to scientific diligence activities for internal pipeline programs and external opportunities.
  • Strong background in target biology, mechanism of action, and preclinical disease models, experience integrating multi‑omic, genetic, translational, and pharmacology data and the ability to assess strengths, gaps, and risks in early discovery programs.

Compensation decisions are based on objective criteria including role responsibilities, experience/qualifications, internal equity, geographic location, and external market benchmarks.

Pay Range

$215,000 - $250,000 USD

Kiniksa is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider you without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, genetics, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or any other legally protected category. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 

Kiniksa does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms. Any resumes submitted without a signed agreement will be considered property of Kiniksa, and no fees will be paid.

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