Vice President, Communications

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc.

$272K — $340K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of progressive communications leadership experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences organizations
  • Significant experience leading corporate and product communications functions
  • Proven track record advising CEOs and executive teams
  • Deep understanding of drug development processes and regulatory environments
  • Strong background in issues management and corporate reputation challenges
  • Established media relations network in healthcare and biotechnology
  • Experience developing high-performing communications teams

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement integrated communications strategy across multiple functions
  • Collaborate with executive leadership to articulate corporate narrative
  • Advise senior leaders on positioning, messaging, and thought leadership
  • Plan and execute communications for major corporate milestones
  • Manage corporate reputation, issues preparedness, and crisis communications
  • Cultivate media relations to position Kailera as a leader in obesity care
  • Mentor and lead a high-performing communications team

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health coverage
  • Flexible time off
  • Paid holidays and year-end shutdown
  • Monthly wellness stipend
  • Generous 401(k) match
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Annual bonus opportunities
  • Equity grants
Full Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Vice President, Communications to lead the company's global communications function and help shape the external narrative of one of the most innovative companies in obesity and metabolic disease. This executive will be responsible for developing and executing an integrated communications strategy that advances Kailera's corporate reputation, supports business objectives, and strengthens engagement with key stakeholders.

The Vice President will oversee all aspects of corporate, product, pipeline, executive, and internal communications, ensuring a consistent and compelling narrative across the company. This leader will serve as a trusted advisor to senior management and work closely with leaders across research, development, medical affairs, commercial, investor relations, patient advocacy, public policy, legal and people & culture to align communications with corporate priorities. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking, exceptional communications judgment, strong leadership capabilities, and deep biotechnology industry expertise. This individual will be equally comfortable advising executives in high-stakes situations, developing long-term communications strategy, and ensuring flawless execution across multiple communications channels.

At Kailera, you will have the opportunity to build and lead a best-in-class communications organization that reflects the company's ambition to transform the future of obesity care.

Responsibilities:
  • Develop and lead Kailera's integrated communications strategy, encompassing corporate communications, product and pipeline communications, executive communications, internal communications, digital communications, and media relations
  • Partner closely with the executive leadership team to develop and articulate Kailera's corporate narrative, ensuring consistency across all external and internal stakeholder audiences
  • Serve as a strategic communications advisor to the CEO, executive team, and other senior leaders, providing counsel on positioning, messaging, thought leadership, media engagement, and reputation management
  • Lead communications planning and execution for major corporate milestones, including clinical data presentations, regulatory events, business development activities, scientific congresses, financing activities, and other significant corporate announcements
  • Develop and execute integrated product and pipeline communications strategies that support Kailera's development portfolio and future commercial objectives
  • Lead corporate reputation management efforts, including issues preparedness, crisis communications planning, and rapid response communications
  • Oversee media relations strategy, cultivate relationships with key journalists and influencers, and proactively position Kailera as a leading voice in obesity and metabolic disease
  • Lead executive communications programs, including keynote presentations, external speaking engagements, thought leadership initiatives, and strategic messaging
  • Direct internal communications programs that strengthen employee engagement, reinforce company culture, and align employees around corporate priorities
  • Oversee Kailera's digital communications ecosystem, including corporate websites, social media channels, and other emerging communications platforms
  • Establish and monitor communications objectives, metrics, and analytics to assess impact and continuously improve performance
  • Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing communications team and manage external communications agencies and consultants
  • Collaborate with Legal, Regulatory, Clinical Development, and Medical Affairs teams to ensure communications activities are accurate, compliant, and strategically effective


Required Qualifications:
  • 15+ years of progressive communications leadership experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences organizations, including significant experience leading corporate and product communications functions
  • Demonstrated success developing and executing communications strategies that support corporate reputation, pipeline advancement, and business objectives
  • Experience serving as a trusted advisor to CEOs and senior executive teams
  • Deep understanding of the biotechnology industry, drug development process, regulatory environment and healthcare stakeholder landscape
  • Proven experience managing high-profile communications initiatives, issues management situations, and corporate reputation challenges
  • Strong media relations experience with an established network of healthcare, biotechnology, and business media relationships
  • Experience leading and developing high-performing communications teams and managing external agency partners
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific and business information into compelling narratives
  • Strong executive presence, business judgment, and strategic thinking capabilities
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and balance strategic leadership with operational excellence


Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Business, or a related field


Salary Range

$272,000-$340,000 USD

For Full Time Roles: This range represents the company's good-faith estimate of the salary at the time of posting. Actual pay may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, location, and internal equity. We also offer comprehensive health coverage, flexible time off, paid holidays, and a year-end shutdown. Enjoy a monthly wellness stipend, generous 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, disability and life insurance, plus annual bonus opportunities and equity grants-because your well-being and future matter to us.

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