Senior Manager/Associate Director, Scientific Communications & Publications

Kura Oncology, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 182,000 - 226,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career advancement

Competitive comp package

Annual bonus

401K + employer contributions

Stock options

ESPP plan

Paid parental leave

In-office catered lunches

Home office setup

Lifestyle stipend

Commuter stipend

Job summary

Kura Oncology, Inc. is seeking a Publications Lead to guide strategic communications for assigned oncology programs.

You will shape manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and presentations, coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure scientific accuracy and alignment with corporate goals. The role requires 6–8 years of publication experience in pharma/biotech, an advanced scientific degree, and CMPP certification is preferred.

Qualifications

• Advanced scientific degree (PharmD or PhD preferred).
• 6–8 years of direct publications experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Oncology and/or Hematology experience is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead development of abstracts, posters, oral presentations, manuscripts, slide decks.
• Strong scientific acumen and ability to translate complex data into clear, accurate communications.
• Experience managing publication vendors and budgets.
• CMPP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Publications Lead for assigned programs.
• Lead planning, development, and execution of publication tactics (manuscripts, abstracts, posters, oral presentations).
• Lead publication team meetings to drive strategy and alignment.
• Apply independent judgment to manage deliverables and escalate decisions as needed.
• Contribute to Annual Strategic Publication Plans aligned with Medical Affairs strategy.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders and external authors/KOLs.
• Support process improvements for publication efficiency and compliance.
• Manage publication vendors, scopes of work, timelines, and budgets.

Skills

Publications leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Scientific writing

Project management

Education

PhD or PharmD

Tools

CMPP certification

Job description

Are you ready to join a team committed to making a meaningful impact on cancer treatment through the discovery and development of precision medicines? At Kura Oncology, you have an opportunity to be a part of something bigger, with a lasting impact that you can be proud of.

At Kura Oncology, we are working to change the paradigm and improve the science of cancer treatment. As an organization, we strive to cultivate a diverse and talented professional culture driven to develop precision medicine therapeutics.

As we continue to build a leading biotech organization with a strong culture, a patient-focused mindset and a team focused on relentless execution, we are looking for innovative, passionate professionals to join us and make our vision a reality.

To succeed at Kura, you will need to have a demonstrated ability for excellence in drug discovery and development and a roll-up your sleeves attitude. The ideal candidate will possess a values-driven work style where integrity and grit drive all behaviors, decisions, and actions.

Essential Job Functions

• Serve as Publications Lead for assigned programs, providing strategic guidance and representing Scientific Communications & Publications on cross-functional program teams
• Lead planning, development, and execution of publication tactics including manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and oral presentations for assigned programs in accordance with company policies and procedures
• Lead publication team meetings to drive strategic discussion, decision-making, and alignment
• Apply independent judgment to manage complex deliverables, resolve stakeholder feedback, and escape key risks or decisions as appropriate.
• Contribute to Annual Strategic Publication Plans aligned with Medical Affairs strategy, program priorities, and corporate goals
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders (program teams, clinical, medical, translational research) as well as external authors and KOLs
• Support continuous improvement of publication processes, templates, and ways of working to improve efficiency, consistency, and compliance
• Manage scientific platform development and updates for assigned programs as needed
• Oversee publication vendors/agencies, including scopes of work, timelines, deliverables, and budgets

Job Specifications

• Advanced scientific degree (PharmD or PhD preferred)
• A minimum of 6-8 years of direct publications experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry
• Oncology and/or Hematology experience is highly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead development of abstracts, posters, oral presentations, manuscripts, slide decks, and other medical/scientific content
• Strong scientific acumen and ability to translate complex data into clear, accurate, and strategically relevant communications
• Demonstrated poise and judgement in aligning internal and external stakeholders (eg, authors, cross-functional teams, researchers, journal editors)
• Ability to critically review and edit publication documents for quality, compliance, and scientific integrity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects, anticipate risks, and drive deliverables in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Exercises independent judgment in managing operational decisions within their area; proactively identifies issues and determines when to escalation more complex or cross-functional decisions.
• Serves as a key point of contact for cross-functional partners within their area, ensuring alignment and proactively addressing coordination needs to support team deliverables.
• Strong understanding publication and medical communication guidelines (eg, GPP, ICMJE, Sunshine Act/PhRMA Code of Conduct)
• Experience managing publication vendors and budgets preferred
• CMPP certification preferred

The base range for this role at the Senior Manager level is $182,000 - $210,000 and at the Associate Director level it is $192,000 - $226,000. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location, and relevant education or training. Kura's compensation package also includes generous benefits, equity, and participation in an annual target bonus.

Kura’s Values that are used for candidate selection and performance assessments:

• We work as one for patients
• We are goal-focused and deliver with excellence
• We are science-driven courageous innovators
• We strive to bring out the best in each other and ourselves

The Kura Package

• Career advancement/ development opportunities
• Competitive comp package
• Bonus
• 401K + Employer contributions
• Generous stock options
• ESPP Plan
• 20 days of PTO to start
• 18 Holidays (Including Summer & Winter Break)
• Generous Benefits Package with a variety of plans available with a substantial employer match
• Paid Paternity/Maternity Leave
• In-Office Catered lunches
• Home Office Setup
• Lifestyle Spending Stipend
• Commuter Stipend (Boston Office)
• Regular employee social activities, including happy hours, monthly birthday celebrations, Kura Koffee Talks, and much more!

Kura Oncology is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing innovative precision medicines to help patients with cancer lead better, longer lives.

Through our deep understanding of cancer biology and decades of experience in precision oncology, we are studying the underlying causes of treatment resistance. This enables us to design smart combination regimens with other cancer therapies to target tumors from multiple directions, with the goal of improving long-term clinical benefit.

Kura developed and is commercializing KOMZIFTI® (ziftomenib), the FDA-approved once-daily, oral menin inhibitor for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia, and continues to pioneer advancements in menin inhibition and farnesyl transferase inhibition. For additional information, please visit Kura’s website at www.kuraoncology.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Kura Oncology is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

If you are a California resident, please see the attached Privacy Notice CA Privacy Notice