Executive Director, Talent Management and HR Strategy

Apellis Pharmaceuticals • Waltham, MA

37d • Hybrid

About The Position

Opportunity awaits those up to the challenge of developing transformative therapies across a broad range of debilitating diseases. Summary: Apellis is seeking an experienced and enterprise-minded Executive Director, Talent Management & HR Strategy to serve as the architect of the company’s integrated people strategy. This role partners directly with the Chief People Officer to design, evolve, and operationalize Apellis’ strategic Talent Management philosophy, frameworks, and practices—ensuring sustained leadership strength, execution excellence, and organizational performance. This leader is responsible for enterprise Talent Management, including performance management, succession planning, high-potential strategy, and the design and delivery of Director+ and SLT leadership development programs. In addition, this role will drive enterprise HR strategy, workforce planning frameworks, and talent governance. The ED will partner with HR Business Partners and Centers of Excellence (COEs) to bring to life a unified HR operating model that drives execution, prioritization, and cultural alignment. This leader also partners on enterprise onboarding experience strategy to ensure consistent outcomes and alignment to Apellis’ talent philosophy, while not owning ownership of onboarding design or delivery independently. As a member of the HR Leadership Team, this role must: • Operate with an enterprise-first mindset, prioritizing what is best for the business and HR as a whole—not only their specialization. • Build a symbiotic partnership with HR Business Partners, ensuring COE strategies are informed by the “voice of the business” and fully executable. • Equip HRBPs with tools, frameworks, and governance that enable consistent and scalable execution. • Demonstrate transparency, follow-through, and proactive communication to ensure alignment and trust across HR.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred (HR, Organizational Psychology, Business, Leadership Development or related field).
• 15+ years progressive Talent Management and/or HR leadership experience.
• Experience leading Talent, Succession, Leadership Development, or HR Strategy functions in biotech, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, or a highly regulated science-driven organization.
• Demonstrated experience designing and deploying enterprise talent frameworks, governance structures, and leadership programs for Director-level and above.
• Proven ability to influence and partner with executive teams, translate business needs into strategy, and lead through data-driven insights.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to drive actionable alignment between HR strategy and business priorities.
• Strategic enterprise leader and systems thinker
• Proven architect of Talent and Leadership frameworks
• Exceptional communication, influence, and facilitation
• Assessment and succession planning expertise
• Leadership development design and vendor management
• Data-driven decision-making and governance discipline
• Drives culture, inclusion, and performance accountability

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and implementation of the enterprise HR and Talent Management strategy, aligned to business growth and workforce needs.
• Design and operationalize Apellis’ Talent philosophy, including performance management, succession, and talent assessment frameworks.
• Own enterprise leadership development strategy and programs for Directors, Executive Directors, and the Senior Leadership Team, ensuring clear capability building tied to business priorities.
• Establish and govern talent processes that build clarity, transparency, and accountability across HR Business Partners and COEs.
• Partner with HR Business Partners to identify and develop critical capabilities and leadership strengths across business functions, using insights and data to guide decisions.
• Develop and maintain tools, templates, and guidance that enable HRBPs to drive strategic execution—not one-off solutions.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and People Experience to shape the enterprise onboarding experience strategy, ensuring clarity of purpose and leadership expectations.
• Lead Talent Management reporting and insights to drive workforce decisions, promotion governance, and succession depth conversations with Executive Leadership.
• Evaluate and manage strategic external partners and leadership development vendors.
• Serve as a culture advocate, reinforcing leadership accountability, performance expectations, and engagement standards across functions.

Benefits

• Apellis offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 401(k) plan with company match, inclusive family building benefits, flexible time off, summer and winter shutdowns, paid family leave, disability and life insurance, and more!
• Visit https://apellis.com/careers/benefits/ to learn more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director