VP, Commercial Strategy & Launch Excellence

Lyell Immunopharma; United States; On-site; USD 320,000 - 375,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity Incentive Plan

Job summary

Lyell Immunopharma is seeking a founding member of its Cell Therapy Commercial organization, to shape the strategy and launch of the first product. The Vice President, Commercial Strategy will partner across clinical development, medical affairs, CMC, and regulatory to align indication strategy and product positioning ahead of BLA submission.

You will design the launch framework, manage budgets, KPIs, and vendor relationships, and build a high‑performing team capable of delivering a successful

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive commercial experience in biopharmaceuticals, including strategic marketing, sales, and/or commercial operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Direct experience supporting launch planning and execution for a specialty, rare disease, oncology, or cell/gene therapy product.
• Proven success developing and executing commercial or brand strategy, including forecasting, targeting, and positioning.
• Proven effectiveness in designing and managing commercial operating budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships.
• Familiarity with developing and interpreting brand plans, including revenue and patient forecasts, to inform investment decisions, lifecycle strategy, and portfolio prioritization.
• Deep understanding of commercial data sources (e.g., specialty pharmacy, HUB services, patient services, claims data) and experience building commercial infrastructure in a high‑growth or pre‑commercial environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build and manage teams, work cross‑functionally, and influence across the organization.
• Excellent communication, project management, and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and deliver within established timelines.
• Ability to represent Lyell externally, including with investors, key opinion leaders, and industry partners.
• Familiarity with compliance regulations applicable to commercial activities in specialty/rare disease or oncology markets.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, comfort with ambiguity, and a hands‑on, roll‑up‑your‑sleeves approach suited to a lean, fast‑paced, pre‑commercial organization.
• Passion for serving patients with serious, underserved, or life‑threatening diseases.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Commercial Leadership Team and advisor to the CEO and Executive Committee, developing and executing the commercial strategy, brand strategy, and operations plans that will guide Lyell's first product launch.
• Partner across Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, CMC, and Regulatory to shape indication strategy and product positioning ahead of BLA submission and launch.
• Translate clinical, scientific, and market insights into a compelling launch narrative, brand strategy, and go‑to‑market plan; present recommendations to executive leadership and the Board.
• Create and execute on launch framework and playbook, ensuring best practices are captured and shared, and proactively identify and resolve launch‑readiness risks.
• Design and manage commercial operating budget, contracts, and vendor relationships.
• Design and manage KPIs and reporting frameworks to track commercial performance and inform decision‑making pre‑ and post‑launch.
• Establish market access plan and build a highly functioning team and systems to ensure successful launch.
• Identify, manage, and evaluate external agencies, vendors, and partners supporting market research, commercial campaigns, education initiatives, and engagement platforms.
• Partner with IS/IT to bring digital, omnichannel, and data‑driven capabilities into a best‑in‑class commercial function.
• Support development of compliant policies and processes for commercial activities in close partnership with Legal and Compliance.

Skills

Strategic marketing

Sales leadership

Commercial operations

Launch experience

Forecasting

Targeting

Brand strategy

Budget management

Vendor management

Data sources / market data

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Regulatory familiarity

Entrepreneurial mindset

Patient focus

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA

Advanced degree

Job description

Lyell Immunopharma is seeking a founding member of its Cell Therapy Commercial organization, to shape the strategy and launch of the first product. The Vice President, Commercial Strategy will partner across clinical development, medical affairs, CMC, and regulatory to align indication strategy and product positioning ahead of BLA submission.

You will design the launch framework, manage budgets, KPIs, and vendor relationships, and build a high‑performing team capable of delivering a successful