Senior Director, GI & Inflammatory Disease Research
About The Position
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for diseases with unmet needs, particularly in cardiovascular indications. With extensive expertise in immunology and inflammation, Kiniksa is advancing a portfolio of medicines, including its lead product, ARCALYST®. The company is committed to rigorous science, bold innovation, and a patient-first culture. Kiniksa is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Director, GI & Inflammatory Disease Research to lead pre-clinical research and development. This role will provide scientific leadership in validating, characterizing, and advancing therapeutic targets and biologic drug candidates from early discovery through IND-enabling studies and into early clinical development. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in protease biology, inflammation, immunology, and GI diseases. This individual will translate disease mechanisms into therapeutic hypotheses, develop translational strategies, and guide cross-functional teams. The Senior Director will collaborate with various teams including Discovery, Translational Medicine, Clinical Development, Clinical Pharmacology, CMC, Program Leadership, and Regulatory to drive data-driven decisions. This position requires a leader who can translate complex biology into actionable development strategies and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Requirements
- PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Gastroenterology or a related discipline.
- 15+ years of biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry experience, including significant leadership responsibilities.
- Demonstrated success advancing therapeutic programs from discovery through IND and into clinical development.
- Extensive experience supporting development of biologic therapeutics.
- Experience working in highly matrixed environments and leading cross-functional teams.
Nice To Haves
- Deep expertise in protease biology, inflammation, immunology, and GI diseases.
- Experience in inflammatory, autoimmune, or GI disease biology is highly preferred.
- Proven track record of scientific publications, external presentations, patents, and/or successful development milestones.
Responsibilities
- Lead disease biology strategy for discovery and preclinical-stage programs, with emphasis on protease, immune-mediated, and GI diseases.
- Develop mechanistic understanding of disease pathways and translate biological insights into therapeutic opportunities.
- Establish and oversee translational disease biology plans supporting progression of assets from discovery through clinical proof-of-concept.
- Evaluate emerging biology, competitive intelligence, and therapeutic opportunities within protease and GI disease and inflammatory pathways.
- Partner with DMPK, toxicology, bioanalytics, and clinical pharmacology teams to establish robust development strategies.
- Support first-in-human, dose-escalation, and proof-of-concept studies through integration of nonclinical and emerging clinical data.
- Lead multidisciplinary project teams and influence portfolio strategy.
- Collaborate with Clinical Development, CMC, Regulatory, and Program Leadership to ensure seamless translation from research to clinical development.
- Present program recommendations and scientific strategy to executive leadership, governance committees, partners, and external stakeholders.
- Mentor and develop a high-performing disease biology team.
- Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
Benefits
- Equal Opportunity employer
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
