Executive Director, Lifecycle Lead

Job description

Kyverna Therapeutics is a patient-centered, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell therapies for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Guided by our core values, Stay True to Why, Collaborate to Accelerate, Lead with Clarity, Boldly Innovative, and Own the Outcome, we are committed to transforming the future of treatment for autoimmune disease. Join us at the forefront of cell therapy innovation and help redefine what’s possible. Title: Executive Director, Lifecycle Lead Location: Remote (West Coast preferred) Reporting to: Chief Medical & Development Officer The Executive Director, Lifecycle Lead is responsible for leading one or more strategic development programs across the full product lifecycle—from early research and clinical development through process validation (PV/PPQ), commercial readiness, launch, and lifecycle management. This role serves as the cross-functional leader accountable for defining and executing integrated asset strategies that maximize program value and align with Kyverna’s portfolio and corporate objectives. The Lifecycle Lead partners closely with Research, Translational Sciences, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Technical Operations, Manufacturing & Supply, Quality, Medical Affairs, Commercial, and Business Development. ### Responsibilities - Lead integrated asset strategy across the full lifecycle, including research, clinical development, PV/PPQ, commercialization, and lifecycle management. - Drive strategic planning for emerging therapeutic platform technologies. - Evaluate portfolio opportunities and recommend development pathways, platform investments, and lifecycle expansion strategies. - Partner with Research, Translational Sciences, and Clinical Development to enable seamless transition from discovery through development. - Provide strategic oversight of manufacturing readiness, including process characterization, tech transfer, PV/PPQ, comparability, and supply chain readiness. - Ensure alignment across Clinical Development, Manufacturing/MSAT & Supply, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial teams for late-stage development and launch planning. - Guide commercialization strategy, including launch readiness, market access, product differentiation, and lifecycle expansion. - Partner with Project Management lead to develop and manage program timelines, action items, issues/risks and budget. - Support governance decisions on manufacturing strategy, CDMO partnerships, network design, capacity planning, and commercial supply. - Partner with Research, Translational Sciences, and Technical Development to advance next-generation therapeutic modalities and platform technologies. - Ensure development strategies reflect platform-specific regulatory, manufacturing, clinical, and commercial considerations. - Drive integrated multi-platform planning with focus on portfolio value and risk mitigation. - Lead cross-functional planning for INDs, BLAs, label expansions, post-marketing commitments, and global lifecycle management. - Work with third party technology and/or development partners to advance programs and operational plans ### Qualifications - PhD or advanced degree and 10+ years in bio/pharma industry as a program/LCL lead. - Proven experience in the field of biologics and autoimmune/oncology/hematology. A thorough knowledge of the pharmaceutical business model, of the value chain, especially in a Health Care environment. - Experience of working with research, clinical & non-clinical development or commercial collaborations with alliance partners. - Demonstrated Drug Development knowledge with understanding of the cross functional nature of the role including: Research, Translational Sciences, Clinical, Manufacturing, Commercial and Regulatory. - Strong command of clinical data and able to interpret complex data packets - Experience with NDA, BLA filings and regulatory submissions for different parts of a lifecycle both early and late. - Experience of working in an international environment. - Demonstrated ability to drive initiatives, solve issues, pre-empt problems and achieve objectives. - Ability to multitask and promote objective deliverables in resource constraint environment. - Experience in cross-functional drug development and clinical-stage program management. - Understanding of the drivers of commercial success and the interplay between all customers, patients, physicians, pathologists/regulators payers etc. - Ability to work effectively and manage stakeholders in a smooth & efficient way. - Ability to drive delivery and advance complex global programs despite potentially adverse and changing conditions through effective governance and targeted executive escalation in a matrix organizational set up. - Experience and ability to innovate and guide the team to think and deliver creatively in order to generate value. - Demonstrated expert judgment with the ability to quickly identify, analyze, evaluate, escalate and/or resolve problems, which could negatively impact global program implementation and/or financial results. - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to communicate and motivate with a persuasive, credible presentation style. - Ability to resolve issues/ conflict in a constructive manner. - Ability to develop bold ideas and take calculated risks. - Strong tolerance for ambiguity, agility to adapt to change, confidence to speak-up and challenge appropriately.