Senior/Executive Director, Immunology & Inflammation
About The Position
Orum Therapeutics is seeking to expand our in-house I&I therapeutic area (TA) with the addition of a Senior/Executive Director or Head of I&I. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing I&I and, as needed, assume the Project/Program Lead role in a cross-functional team. As head of I&I, you will provide corporate-level strategic guidance to Orum leadership and grow the I&I TA. As Project/program Lead, you will lead and direct cross-functional teams, provide scientific vision and strategic leadership from discovery through IND-enabling and into early clinical development; ensuring Orum’s innovative degrader-antibody conjugates reach patients in need. Principal Duties and Responsibilities I&I TA Leadership Lead the I&I TA; working closely with strategic thought partners, build the capability of I&I at Orum, and develop the resourcing strategy In collaboration with Orum leadership, lead development of I&I corporate-level strategy and provide guidance as appropriate Lead and mentor I&I Project/Program Lead(s) as the TA grows Project/Program Leadership Lead internal and external experts (Biology, Chemistry, DMPK, Toxicology, etc.) to achieve project/program goals as one cross-functional team In collaboration with the cross-functional team, Drive formation of the project/program’s integrated development strategy, develop alternative strategies Identify risks and develop mitigation plans Oversee execution of the integrated development strategic plan Ensure that the right assays, animal models and human-based ex vivo platforms are used to de-risk the projects/programs Manage and monitor CRO activities to drive project momentum In collaboration with cross-functional team, design robust target validation and biomarker strategies throughout the project lifecycle to drive successful transitions from pre-clinical proof-of-concept to human clinical trials Identify resource gaps to meet aggressive timelines Hold matrixed team members accountable to their responsibilities Scientific Excellence Drive the application of immunological methods to understand disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions Serve as a key thought leader in immunology; generate new therapeutic hypotheses and guide the scientific direction of project/program efforts Make data-driven decisions and pivot strategies with agility Stay at the forefront of emerging science and modalities in the I&I field Keep abreast of and understand competitive advancements that may influence strategic planning for Orum assets External Representation Serve as the primary point of contact for external partners, scientific advisory boards, etc. Represent Orum’s I&I projects/programs at major scientific conferences, with prospective partners, and in due diligence discussions Orum Culture (TEAL) Stewardship Foster a culture of transparency and accountability Use a culture of feedback to strategically align the team Proactively act as a mentor to junior project/program leads and scientists, empowering them to direct their own paths in alignment with Orum’s core values
Requirements
- PhD or equivalent in Immunology, Cell Biology, or a related life science field
- 12+ years of experience in the biotech/pharma industry, with at least 8 years in a cross-functional project/program team leadership role.
- Thorough comprehension/insight of the I&I landscape critical; experience developing therapeutics for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is preferred
- Deep knowledge of B cell, T cell, and innate immune cell biology, cytokine signaling, and immune tolerance
- Experience with ADCs, TPDs, or PROTACs is highly preferred
- Experience leading project/programs that have successfully entered clinical development
- Ability to translate complex science into actionable business strategies
- Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills; ability to communicate and influence at the executive level, and navigate complex technical debates with humility and tact
Nice To Haves
- Thorough comprehension/insight of the I&I landscape critical; experience developing therapeutics for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is preferred
- Experience with ADCs, TPDs, or PROTACs is highly preferred
Responsibilities
- Lead the I&I TA; working closely with strategic thought partners, build the capability of I&I at Orum, and develop the resourcing strategy
- In collaboration with Orum leadership, lead development of I&I corporate-level strategy and provide guidance as appropriate
- Lead and mentor I&I Project/Program Lead(s) as the TA grows
- Lead internal and external experts (Biology, Chemistry, DMPK, Toxicology, etc.) to achieve project/program goals as one cross-functional team
- Drive formation of the project/program’s integrated development strategy, develop alternative strategies
- Identify risks and develop mitigation plans
- Oversee execution of the integrated development strategic plan
- Ensure that the right assays, animal models and human-based ex vivo platforms are used to de-risk the projects/programs
- Manage and monitor CRO activities to drive project momentum
- Design robust target validation and biomarker strategies throughout the project lifecycle to drive successful transitions from pre-clinical proof-of-concept to human clinical trials
- Identify resource gaps to meet aggressive timelines
- Hold matrixed team members accountable to their responsibilities
- Drive the application of immunological methods to understand disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions
- Serve as a key thought leader in immunology; generate new therapeutic hypotheses and guide the scientific direction of project/program efforts
- Make data-driven decisions and pivot strategies with agility
- Stay at the forefront of emerging science and modalities in the I&I field
- Keep abreast of and understand competitive advancements that may influence strategic planning for Orum assets
- Serve as the primary point of contact for external partners, scientific advisory boards, etc.
- Represent Orum’s I&I projects/programs at major scientific conferences, with prospective partners, and in due diligence discussions
- Foster a culture of transparency and accountability
- Use a culture of feedback to strategically align the team
- Proactively act as a mentor to junior project/program leads and scientists, empowering them to direct their own paths in alignment with Orum’s core values
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
