--- title: 'Associate Director/Director, Pre-Clinical Program & Alliance Management at Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-director-pre-clinical-program-alliance-management-kiniksa-tmgjgxr6c836' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-07' --- # Associate Director/Director, Pre-Clinical Program & Alliance Management at Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals - **Company:** Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals - **Location:** Lexington, MA - **Compensation:** $191k–$242k - **Posted:** 2026-08-10 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kiniksapharmaceuticals/jobs/4362060009 ## Job description Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals is a commercial‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing novel therapies for diseases with unmet need, with a focus on cardiovascular indications. With deep expertise in immunology and inflammation, Kiniksa is advancing a growing portfolio of approved and investigational medicines, anchored by its lead product, ARCALYST®, the first and only FDA‑approved therapy for recurrent pericarditis. Grounded in rigorous science and bold innovation, the company fosters a highly collaborative, patient‑first culture led by accomplished life sciences leaders. At Kiniksa, talented individuals are trusted and empowered to make a real impact—shaping the future of medicine while improving the lives of patients who need it most. Kiniksa is seeking a highly organized and execution-oriented Associate Director / Director, Pre-Clinical Program and Alliance Management to drive the operational planning, integration, and delivery of pre-clinical programs from candidate nomination through successful IND filing and acceptance. The role reports to the Group Vice President, Chief Business Officer. This individual will serve as the central operational hub for one or more pre-clinical assets, coordinating cross-functional activities across research, CMC, nonclinical safety/toxicology, translational, regulatory, and program leadership, while also managing day-to-day interactions with external partners, CROs, and collaborators. The Associate Director / Director will be accountable for building and maintaining integrated program plans, anticipating critical path risks, and ensuring alignment of internal stakeholders and external alliance partners against shared IND-enabling milestones This role is based in our Lexington, MA office and requires employees to be onsite five days per week. Responsibilities (including, but not limited to): Pre-Clinical Program Management & IND Enablement - Build and drive integrated cross-functional program plans, timelines, and budgets from candidate selection through IND filing and acceptance, with clear critical path, dependencies, and decision points across CMC, nonclinical safety/toxicology, translational, and regulatory workstreams. - Partner with program leadership to define goals, governance cadence, and decision frameworks; run core team and governance meetings and ensure timely follow-through on actions. - Maintain line of sight to FDA IND data package requirements; track module completion and ensure cross-functional alignment on content, quality, and timing. - Partner with Regulatory Affairs and functional leads to execute IND-enabling activities (GLP toxicology, safety pharmacology, CMC, analytical methods, translational readiness) and to prepare for and follow up from FDA interactions (e.g., pre-IND, Type B/C meetings). - Proactively identify and mitigate program risks; communicate status, milestones, and resource needs to senior leadership through concise, executive-ready updates. - Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement, including evaluation and adoption of emerging AI and digital tools to enhance program execution. Alliance Management - Serve as the day-to-day operational point of contact for external partners (collaborators, licensors, academic groups, CROs), ensuring clear communication and timely issue resolution. - Manage governance structures under collaboration, license, and services agreements (e.g., JSCs, working groups) and ensure adherence to contractual obligations and deliverables. - Partner with Business Development, Legal, and Finance to track milestones, deliverables, and payments, and to support amendments, SOWs, and tech transfer plans. Standout Skills for Impact - Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action and ownership - Thrives under pressure, consistently delivering against aggressive timelines - Expert in balancing risk and acceleration to optimize program outcomes - Drives pre-clinical programs forward to the clinic with speed and precision ## Qualifications and Experience - Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Chemistry); advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D., Pharm.D.) a plus. - Associate Director level: A minimum of 7+ years of biotech or pharmaceutical experience, including 3 + years directly supporting pre-clinical program management and IND-enabling activities. Director level: A minimum of 10+ years of biotech or pharmaceutical experience. - Demonstrated contribution to the successful preparation, filing, and acceptance of one or more INDs, with clear examples of driving programs from candidate nomination through IND-ready status. - Working knowledge of FDA IND data package requirements and the cross-functional inputs (CMC, nonclinical safety/toxicology, pharmacology, clinical pharmacology) required for a high-quality submission. - Prior alliance management experience preferred, including direct interaction with external collaborators, CROs, or academic partners under collaboration, license, or services agreements. - Highly proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project / equivalent); willingness and curiosity to learn and implement emerging AI tools to drive efficiency. - Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence without authority across a matrixed organization and engage credibly with internal leadership and external partners. Compensation decisions are based on objective criteria including role responsibilities, experience/qualifications, internal equity, geographic location, and external market benchmarks. Pay Range $191,000—$242,000 USD Kiniksa is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider you without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, genetics, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or any other legally protected category. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. Kiniksa does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms. Any resumes submitted without a signed agreement will be considered property of Kiniksa, and no fees will be paid. ## About Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel, transformative therapies for patients with significant unmet medical needs, with a primary focus on cardiovascular diseases and immune modulation. - **Entity Type**: Public (NASDAQ: KNSA) - **Headquarters**: Lexington, Massachusetts, USA (with additional offices in La Jolla, CA; Zug, Switzerland; and London, UK) - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founders**: Sanj K. Patel (CEO & Chairman) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Biopharmaceuticals, Biotechnology - **Target customers**: Patients, healthcare providers, and payers (B2B/B2C model in specialty pharma) - **Mission or purpose statement**: Dedicated to placing patients first and driving innovation in novel, life-changing therapies to address unmet medical need. The company operates under the belief that "every second makes a difference for patients living with debilitating diseases." ## Products & Services - **ARCALYST® (rilonacept)**: An FDA-approved treatment for recurrent pericarditis — the first and only FDA-approved therapy for this indication. It is an interleukin-1 alpha and beta cytokine trap. - **Mavrilimumab**: A clinical-stage anti-GM-CSF receptor alpha monoclonal antibody. A Phase 2 trial in non-mechanically ventilated severe COVID-19 patients yielded positive results. Kiniksa and Huadong Medicine have a collaboration to develop and commercialize it in the Asia Pacific region (excluding Japan). - **Vixarelimab**: A clinical-stage asset acquired via a global license agreement with Roche and Genentech. It has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for pruritus associated with prurigo nodularis. - **KPL-404**: A clinical-stage asset for which Kiniksa has initiated a first-in-human study with an antigen challenge (TDAR). ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Approximately $1.7 billion (as of mid-2026) - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue of $677.6 million (as of mid-2026); Total Funding raised ~$80M in Series A and $170.7M in gross IPO proceeds (2018) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Huadong Medicine (Asia Pacific collaboration), Roche, Genentech - **Growth Signals**: FDA approvals and breakthrough designations, expanding global footprint (UK, Switzerland, Netherlands offices), headcount of 310 employees and growing, active job postings (36 as of mid-2026) ## Competitive Advantages - **Approved Commercial Product**: ARCALYST® is the first and only FDA-approved therapy for recurrent pericarditis, creating a strong market foothold and revenue stream. - **Strong Pipeline**: Combination of FDA-approved therapy and clinical-stage assets with strong biologic rationale and validated pathways. - **Strategic Collaborations**: Partnerships with Roche/Genentech and Huadong Medicine provide access to global markets and cutting-edge science. - **Leadership**: Led by a team of distinguished life sciences leaders with over 30 years of combined industry experience. ## Strategic Focus - **Current priorities**: Commercializing ARCALYST® and expanding its indications; advancing the pipeline of clinical-stage assets (mavrilimumab, vixarelimab, KPL-404); expanding global presence (especially in Asia Pacific and Europe); pursuing further strategic acquisitions and collaborations. - **Patient-centric innovation**: Focus on immune modulation targeting unmet needs and underserved conditions. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Fosters a culture of passion, innovation, and rapid execution. Employees are described as "highly skilled, driven people advancing their careers—and making a difference in patients' lives." - **Commitment to employees**: Kiniksa is intentional about cultivating a highly skilled and passionate team determined to deliver on its promise to patients. - **Work environment**: Global company with offices in the US (Lexington, MA; La Jolla, CA), Switzerland (Zug), and the UK (London). The company offers a collaborative, science-driven environment. - **Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion**: Committed to creating a culture of equality that celebrates diversity and fosters innovation; an Equal Opportunity Employer. - **Perks & Benefits (US)**: - **Healthcare & Well-being**: Robust PPO medical insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield) with HRA to cover deductible; dental (including orthodontia); vision; flexible spending accounts; fertility benefits and parental leave (up to 10 weeks at 100% pay, plus 6-8 weeks disability for birth parents); behavioral health support via EAP; and mental health programs. - **Financial & Protection**: 401k with traditional and Roth options through Fidelity, with immediate company match; Employee Stock Purchase Plan (15% discount); employer-paid life and AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; voluntary additional life insurance. - **Work-Life Balance**: Paid sick and vacation time; company-paid holidays; company-sponsored events and volunteer opportunities. - **Other**: Subsidized lunches; employee referral program; starting coverage on the first day of employment. ## Sources 1. [Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals - About Us](https://www.kiniksa.com/about) 2. [Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals - Join Us](https://www.kiniksa.com/join-us) 3. [Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals - Leadership](https://www.kiniksa.com/leadership) 4. [Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals - LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kiniksa-pharmaceuticals) 5. [Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals - Main Site](https://www.kiniksa.com/) ## Other roles at Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals - [Desktop Support Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/desktop-support-engineer-kiniksa-pharmaceuticals-lexington-hq1qa926j23w) — Lexington, MA - [Associate Director, Patient Services Operations and Marketing](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-patient-services-operations-and-marketing-kiniksa-hk4zex4ryn89) — Lexington, MA - [Assoc. 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