Senior Director, Research and Development

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals in Lexington, MA is seeking a Senior Director to lead GI & Inflammatory Disease Research, directing disease biology strategy from discovery through early clinical development. You will shape translational plans and oversee cross-functional programs with a focus on inflammatory and GI diseases.

The role requires building and mentoring teams in a matrix environment. Onsite, five days a week.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, or related field.
• 15+ years in biotech/pharma with proven leadership.
• Track record of advancing biologics from discovery to clinical stages.
• Extensive experience in inflammatory, autoimmune, or GI disease biology preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct disease biology strategy from discovery through early clinical development.
• Develop mechanistic disease pathway insights.
• Oversee translational plans for programs.
• Evaluate emerging biology and therapeutic opportunities.
• Collaborate with DMPK, toxicology, bioanalytics, and clinical teams.
• Support first-in-human and proof-of-concept studies.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Present strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Mentor research staff and foster innovation.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Biologics development

Translational science

Publications & patents

Education

PhD/MD/MD-PhD in Immunology/Cell Biology

Job description

Senior Director, GI & Inflammatory Disease Research

• direct disease biology strategy from discovery through early clinical development
• develop mechanistic disease pathway insights
• oversee translational plans
• evaluate emerging biology and therapeutic opportunities
• collaborate with DMPK, toxicology, bioanalytics, and clinical teams
• support first-in-human and proof-of-concept studies
• lead multidisciplinary teams
• present strategic recommendations
• mentor research staff
• foster a culture of innovation

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, or related
• 15+ years in biotech/pharma with proven leadership
• track record of advancing biologics from discovery to clinical stages
• extensive experience in inflammatory, autoimmune, or GI disease biology preferred
• strong publication/patent record
• experience managing cross-functional teams in matrix environments

HighValue: biologics, early discovery to IND, inflammatory/GI diseases, protease biology, immunology, translational science, leadership in matrixed settings, Lexington MA.

WorkSetup: onsite, 5 days/week.