Associate Director, Internal Communications

Vera Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VERA), is a late clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for serious immunological diseases. Vera’s mission is to advance treatments that target the source of immunologic diseases in order to change the standard of care for patients. Vera’s lead product candidate is atacicept, a fusion protein self-administered at home as a subcutaneous once weekly injection that blocks both B-cell Activating Factor (BAFF) and A Proliferation Inducing Ligand (APRIL), which stimulate B cells to produce autoantibodies contributing to certain autoimmune diseases, including IgA nephropathy. Vera is also evaluating the role of atacicept in other immunologic disorders. Additionally, Vera is developing VT-109, a novel, next-generation dual BAFF/APRIL inhibitor in preclinical development, and MAU868, a monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize infection with BK virus, a polyomavirus that can have devastating consequences in certain settings such as kidney transplant. For more information, please visit: www.veratx.com.

Our values are the cornerstone of our culture. Our values inspire us every day and guide everything we do—from how we hire great people, to advancing our mission together, to achieving our ultimate goal to improve medical treatment for patients suffering from immunological diseases.

Position Summary:

We are looking for a rock star to lead internal communications who wants to have an outsized impact on employee engagement and culture at Vera Therapeutics. If you seek purpose in your work, Vera is a growing biotech focused on transforming outcomes into immunological diseases starting with a rare autoimmune kidney disease called IgA nephropathy, where at least 50% of patients progress to end-stage kidney disease within 10-20 years of diagnosis, which usually requires dialysis or a kidney transplant. To achieve our mission, we’re rapidly scaling up both our workforce and the internal communications framework that will enable our teamwork. We are looking for an architect and a builder, who can both set strategy and do the work. We are looking for a team player who loves the position of internal communications and can jump into external communications projects with ease. This role will be an integral part of the Corporate Communications team, which lives by the mantra of taking your job seriously, but not yourself.

This role is pivotal in shaping our internal messaging, ensuring alignment with company values, and influencing employee engagement through communications and programs that spark joy, pride, and purpose among Vera employees. As the team lead for internal communications, you will focus on driving strategy, providing guidance and executing a consistent, long-term vision for internal communications and company-wide engagement. They will lead to efforts to inform, engage, and inspire employees during a time of explosive growth.

Responsibilities:

• Establish an internal communications plan that applies effective storytelling across multiple channels to reach employees by level and by function/department.
• Inform: Enable productivity and collaboration through consistent and cohesive information sharing
• Partner with the Executive Team, HR, and IT to create a scalable and accessible intranet that ensures visibility, prioritization, and alignment across teams and leaders.
• Own the narrative and cadence of internal communications including all staff newsletters, meetings, intranet updates, leadership messages, etc., ensuring alignment with business objectives, fostering company culture, and preventing information fatigue through prioritization.
• Establish multi-channel communication strategies (intranet, newsletter, emails, meetings) and measure usage/readership to enhance engagement and reach, including specific communications to different ET organizations (R&D, Commercial, Regulatory, G&A) and different levels (LT, people managers).
• Establish clear communication governance, ensuring that business-critical updates are delivered in a structured and predictable way across teams.
• Lead internal crisis communications during incidents that impact employee well-being to support well-being and minimize disruption.
• Invigorate: Ensuring each moment matters and advances the journey.
• Showcase our values and our dedication to patients and science through storytelling using various channels.
• Partner with HR on building culture, enhancing recognition of individual and team accomplishments, organizing all-staff in-person gatherings, and establishing celebratory rituals.
• Design and lead employee engagement communication strategies that inspire and celebrate Vera’s growing workforce through meaningful programs and events.
• Partner with HR to co-create and activate culture and employee engagement priorities through communications that engage and inspire.
• Build upon and create new rituals for employees when we are together (Town Halls, Patient interaction, celebrations, anniversaries, milestones)
• Manage and elevate leadership visibility within the company through internal channels.
• Involve: Clarify and build trust by setting context and creating meaning.
• Support senior leaders in crafting compelling messages that influence employee engagement and reinforce strategic objectives.
• Provide communication cascades/playbooks and tool kits to ensure consistent dissemination across teams.
• Build frameworks for employee listening and feedback, and two-way communication channels that promote transparency and trust.
• Create an internal communications advisory board to engage employees in planning and gather feedback.
• Focus on long-term planning, leveraging data and insights to refine strategies that enhance employee engagement and communication effectiveness
• Act as a strategic partner to key stakeholders, including HR, IT, and the Executive Team.
• Manage PR agency on internal comms projects.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field; Master’s degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
• 8+ years of proven experience in internal communications or corporate communication roles, with a track record of developing and executing successful strategies; experience at an agency and/or in the biotech/pharma industry is a plus.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• A creative mindset with a passion for storytelling, exceptional written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and tone, and focus on results.
• Proficiency in communication/collaboration tools and platforms (e.g., Microsoft Office, SharePoint, newsletter or intranet systems).
• Experience in driving change-management, culture-building initiatives, and employee engagement through communication that connects with broader business objectives.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills with demonstrated ability to partner across functions and influence stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills to connect employee-focused initiatives with broader business objectives.
• Analytical skills to assess employee engagement metrics and feedback, using insights to inform communications strategies and measure success.

Vera Therapeutics Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer.

Vera Therapeutics is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices and we strive to provide employees with total compensation packages that are market competitive. For this role, the anticipated base pay range is $ - $. The exact base pay offered for this role will depend on various factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s geography, qualifications, skills, and experience.

At Vera, base pay is only one part of your total compensation package. The successful candidate will be eligible for an annual performance incentive bonus, new hire equity, and ongoing performance-based equity. Vera Therapeutics also offers various benefits offerings, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k match, flexible time off, and a number of paid holidays.

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We require that all recruiters and staffing agencies have a fully executed, formal written agreement on file.

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To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are a top priority for us. At Vera Therapeutics, recruiters only direct candidates to apply through our official career page at https://veratx.com/careers/.

Recruiters will always contact you using the domain of veratx.com. We will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information like social security numbers. If you are unsure if a message is from Vera Therapeutics, please email human resources.