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Senior Director, Corporate Communications

San Diego, CA

Are you ready to join a team committed to making a meaningful impact on cancer treatment through the discovery and development of precision medicines? At Kura Oncology, you have an opportunity to be a part of something bigger, with a lasting impact that you can be proud of.

At Kura Oncology, we are working to change the paradigm and improve the science of cancer treatment. As an organization, we strive to cultivate a diverse and talented professional culture driven to develop precision medicine therapeutics.

As we continue to build a leading biotech organization with a strong culture, a patient-focused mindset and a team focused on relentless execution, we are looking for innovative, passionate professionals to join us and make our vision a reality.

To succeed at Kura, you will need to have a demonstrated ability for excellence in drug discovery and development and a roll-up your sleeves attitude. The ideal candidate will possess a values-driven work style where integrity and grit drive all behaviors, decisions, and actions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The Senior Director, Corporate Communications, is a dynamic, experienced leader who, as a critical member of the investor relations and corporate affairs team, will shape our narrative, elevate our brand and build trust across key audiences, with a strong focus on external, product and pipeline communications to support our company’s growth. The successful candidate will develop and implement a comprehensive corporate communications strategy that aligns with the company’s vision, values, and business goals. H/She will ensure information complies with all guidelines and SEC regulations. The ideal candidate will have experience in the biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry developing communications campaigns and managing creative brand awareness programs across multiple channels and audiences. This role will report to the Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs and have regular interactions with the executive team including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Commercial Officer and other key members of the management team.

Responsibilities

  • Manage the development and execution of strategic communications plans and initiatives aligned with our corporate goals to build company awareness with key stakeholders and support the business
  • Collaborate regularly with other functions within the company and outside agencies to elevate key corporate milestones, create compelling storylines to drive media coverage and increase brand awareness
  • Create a comprehensive digital media plan incorporating various platforms (social, web, video), developing creative content and design, ensuring messaging consistency and measuring success; manage Kura Oncology’s social media accounts
  • Draft communications materials, including news releases, Q&A documents, talking points, interview briefs, corporate presentations, social media, website copy and other digital content
  • Design and implement a comprehensive executive thought leadership strategy
  • Collaborate with multiple functions on pipeline milestones and data readouts, develop and manage effective crisis communications
  • Serve as a liaison between the external partner communications team, Finance, Marketing, Commercial, Clinical Development, and BD teams. Coordinate the creation of a unified communication calendar to align efforts, key dates, and messages across departments.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s or advanced graduate degree a related discipline.
  • 10 + years in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry or public relations agency.
  • Direct experience leading Corporate Communications at a public biopharma company or agency.
  • Strong writing skills in a variety of areas, from scientific information to creative writing.
  • Ability to distill scientific information into clear and concise corporate messaging and materials, including press releases and Q&A.
  • Experience in driving results in media relations, digital and social media, and pipeline/product communications.
  • Recognized as an expert and trusted advisor with a proven track record in crafting, executing, and steering top-tier corporate communication strategies and initiatives that yield tangible, measurable outcomes.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate interactions with all levels of the organization and manage and lead projects involving cross-functional teams.
  • Strong collaborator that knows how to drive projects forward, meets or exceeds deadlines and can work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to present and express ideas and information clearly and confidently in a manner appropriate to the specified audience, whether verbal or written.
  • Ability to travel periodically as required.

The base range for a Senior Director is $265,000 - $300,000 per year. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location, and relevant education or training. Kura's compensation package also includes generous benefits, equity, and participation in an annual target bonus.

#LI-RM1

Kura’s Values that are used for candidate selection and performance assessments:

  • We work as one for patients
  • We are goal-focused and deliver with excellence
  • We are science-driven courageous innovators
  • We strive to bring out the best in each other and ourselves

The Kura Package

  • Career advancement/ development opportunities
  • Competitive comp package
  • Bonus
  • 401K + Employer contributions
  • Generous stock options
  • ESPP Plan
  • 20 days of PTO to start
  • 18 Holidays  (Including Summer & Winter Break)
  • Generous Benefits Package with a variety of plans available with a substantial employer match
  • Paid Paternity/Maternity Leave
  • In-Office Catered lunches
  • Home Office Setup
  • Lifestyle Spending Stipend
  • Commuter Stipend (Boston Office)
  • Regular employee social activities, including happy hours, monthly birthday celebrations, Kura Koffee Talks, and much more!

Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. The Company’s pipeline consists of small molecule drug candidates designed to target cancer signaling pathways. Ziftomenib, a once-daily, oral menin inhibitor, is the first and only investigational therapy to receive Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (“R/R”) NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (“AML”). In November 2024, Kura Oncology entered into a global strategic collaboration agreement with Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. to develop and commercialize ziftomenib for AML and other hematologic malignancies. Enrollment in a Phase 2 registration-directed trial of ziftomenib in R/R NPM1-mutant AML has been completed, and in the second quarter of 2025, the companies announced the FDA’s acceptance of a New Drug Application for ziftomenib for the treatment of adult patients with R/R NPM1-mutant AML and assignment of a Prescription Drug User Fee Act target action date of November 30, 2025. Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin are also conducting a series of clinical trials to evaluate ziftomenib in combination with current standards of care in newly diagnosed and R/R NPM1-mutant and KMT2A-rearranged AML. KO-2806, a next-generation farnesyl transferase inhibitor, is being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose-escalation trial as a monotherapy and in combination with targeted therapies for patients with various solid tumors. Tipifarnib, a potent and selective farnesyl transferase inhibitor, is currently in a Phase 1/2 trial in combination with alpelisib for patients with PIK3CA-dependent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. For additional information, please visit Kura’s website at www.kuraoncology.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Kura Oncology is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. 

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