Senior/Executive Director, Immunology & Inflammation

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

Skills, Abilities & Competencies

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

*U.S. citizens and those authorized to work in the U.S. (green card) are encouraged to apply. We are unable to sponsor/transfer at this time. 

*Candidate must be able to pass a background investigation. 

*Unable to work with 3rd party candidates or agencies. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily within the context of the representative work environment and physical demands described above. Likewise, qualifications listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the position’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Orum Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).