Zenas is a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of transformative therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases. Our core business strategy combines our experienced leadership team with a disciplined product candidate acquisition approach to identify, acquire and develop product candidates globally that we believe can provide superior clinical benefits to patients living with autoimmune diseases. Zenas is advancing two late-stage, potential franchise molecules, obexelimab and orelabrutinib. Obexelimab, Zenas’ lead product candidate, is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb, which are broadly present across B cell lineage, to inhibit the activity of cells that are implicated in many autoimmune diseases without depleting them. We believe that obexelimab’s unique mechanism of action and self-administered, subcutaneous injection regimen may broadly and effectively address the pathogenic role of B cell lineage in chronic autoimmune disease. Orelabrutinib is a potentially best-in-class, highly selective CNS-penetrant, oral, small molecule Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor with the potential to address compartmentalized inflammation and disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Zenas’ earlier stage programs include ZB021, a clinical-stage, potentially best-in-class, oral, IL-17AA/AF inhibitor; ZB022, a preclinical, potentially best-in-class, oral, brain-penetrant, TYK2 inhibitor; and ZB014, a preclinical half-life extended anti-CD-19 and FcγRIIb monoclonal antibody.
We are seeking top talent who share our commitment to patients and have a track record of success in acquiring, developing and commercializing products across the globe. Our colleagues have an opportunity to engage in a fast-paced learning environment and experience individual and organizational success as we work towards becoming a global immunology and autoimmune disease leader, while living our values of Transparency, Relationships, Urgency, Excellence and Innovation – TRUE Innovation!
Position Summary:
Zenas BioPharma is seeking a strategic, visionary, and execution-oriented leader for the role of Executive Director, Global Publications, Scientific Communications, and Medical Information. In this leadership position within Global Medical Affairs, the individual will establish and drive the overarching scientific communication strategy, publication planning, and medical information infrastructure supporting the immunology pipeline, including lead programs such as obexelimab and orelabrutinib across indications including IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
This role serves as a core medical leadership pillar responsible for translating complex clinical and translational science into transparent, compliant, and impactful scientific narratives for healthcare professionals, researchers, regulatory authorities, and patients. The individual will build and scale a high-performing team and agency ecosystem to support upcoming pivotal data disclosures, regulatory filings, and potential commercial launches.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Scientific Communications & Narrative Generation
- Architect and operationalize global strategic scientific communication platforms (SSCP) and core scientific statements across all development and lifecycle stages.
- Partner cross-functionally with Clinical Development, Translational Medicine, Regulatory Affairs, and Commercial Strategy to ensure integrated, scientifically rigorous narratives aligned with clinical value propositions.
- Lead the creation and lifecycle maintenance of internal medical education assets, scientific slide decks, standard training curriculums, and field medical resources (e.g., MSL slide decks, scientific exchange tools).
- Champion digital and omnichannel scientific communication innovations, expanding the reach and engagement of peer-reviewed data through enhanced publication content (visual abstracts, video commentaries, plain-language summaries).
- Global Publication Strategy & Delivery
- Serve as global lead for scientific communications across the product pipeline and portfolio, driving strategic vision while actively executing publication planning, publication development, literature surveillance, and development of internal training materials and external scientific tools.
- Direct the strategic design, governance, and tactical execution of global integrated publication plans (IPPs) across journals, congresses, and symposia.
- Drive timely, high-impact publication of Phase 1-3 clinical trial results, real-world evidence (RWE), health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), and preclinical/translational data.
- Lead cross-functional Publication Steering Committees (PSCs), overseeing external author selection, engagement, review rounds, and publication development in strict adherence to ICMJE guidelines, GPP (Good Publication Practice), and company compliance standards.
- Oversee medical congress planning, symposium content development, oral podium presentations, and poster sessions at primary international rheumatology, neurology, and immunology congresses (e.g., ACR, EULAR, ECTRIMS, AAN).
- Provide direct leadership, mentorship, and professional development for publications team members, ensuring seamless oversight of publication logistics, tracking systems, and operational workflows.
- Manage publication, scientific communication, and writing vendors as needed.
- Medical Information Infrastructure & Operations
- Build, standardize, and scale the Global Medical Information (Med Info) function, implementing scalable processes, systems, and content repositories for medical inquiry intake, escalation, and response tracking.
- Direct the authoring, updating, and approval of standard response letters (SRLs), FAQs, customized scientific responses, and AMCP dossiers/formulary submission dossiers.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), inquiry trend analyses, and voice-of-customer insights to inform Medical Affairs strategy and cross-functional brand planning.
- Oversee third-party Medical Information contact center vendors and ensure 24/7 audit-ready regulatory compliance, including adverse event and product quality complaint reporting in alignment with Pharmacovigilance and Quality Assurance.
- Leadership, Governance & Agency Management
- Lead, mentor, and expand an internal team of scientific communications and medical information professionals, fostering a culture of urgency, scientific excellence, and patient advocacy.
- Manage multi-million-dollar operational budgets, leading RFP selections, contracting, performance evaluations, and day-to-day oversight of medical communications and scientific agency partners.
- Serve as a core standing member of cross-functional review committees (Medical/Legal/Regulatory - MLR - and Medical Review Committees), ensuring all external scientific and medical assets uphold rigorous medical accuracy, fair balance, and regulatory compliance.
Qualifications:
Education
- Doctorate degree required: PharmD, PhD, or MD in life sciences, pharmacology, or a related biomedical discipline.
Professional Experience
- 12+ years of progressive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry within Medical Affairs, including dedicated focus in Scientific Communications, Global Publications, and Medical Information.
- 5+ years of direct people-management and matrix-leadership experience, with a track record of hiring, mentoring, and retaining talent.
- Deep therapeutic area expertise in rheumatology, immunology, neurology, or rare disease is required.
- Thorough command of industry regulations and guidelines governing scientific communications: ICMJE, GPP3/GPP2022, PhRMA Code, FDA guidance on scientific exchange, OIG, and Sunshine Act/transparency regulations.
- Demonstrated experience launching first-in-class or best-in-class assets, leading late-stage pivotal publication disclosures (Phase 3 primary endpoints), and standing up launch-ready Medical Information operations.
- Experience overseeing medical communications vendors, contract research/medical writing agencies, and contact centers.
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex mechanistic science into clear, evidence-based messages.
- Executive presence and cross-functional leadership, adept at navigating clinical development, commercial, regulatory, and external Key Opinion Leader (KOL) interfaces.
- High adaptability and an entrepreneurial mindset suited for a fast-paced, clinical-to-commercial stage biotechnology environment.
The position is eligible for a competitive compensation and benefits package.
Zenas is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base salary pay range for this role is $260,800 to $326,000. Actual compensation packages will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to depth of experience, education, skillset, overall performance and/or location.
Zenas believes in providing a competitive compensation and benefits package to all employees. Our base salary is just one component of Zenas’ competitive total rewards strategy that also includes annual performance bonus, equity, full range of benefits and other incentive compensation plans.
Zenas BioPharma is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an environment where diversity is valued. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit, qualifications and the needs of the business.
