--- title: 'Director or Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at Lyell Immunopharma' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-or-senior-director-investor-relations-and-corporate-communications-e9h5mes0s5ce' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-06' --- # Director or Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at Lyell Immunopharma - **Company:** Lyell Immunopharma - **Location:** United States - **Posted:** 2026-08-24 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/lyellimmunopharma/jobs/7965322003 ## Job description Using living cells to treat – and sometimes even cure – cancer is one of the most dramatic advances in modern medicine. Patients with hematologic malignancies have been successfully treated with cell therapies. However, these profound results have not yet been achieved in patients with solid tumors, representing approximately 90% of all cancers. And for patients with hematologic malignancies, there is a need for next-generation cell therapies that can deliver increased response rates and longer duration of response.  We are a clinical-stage company advancing a pipeline of next-generation CAR T-cell therapies for patients with solid tumors or hematologic malignancies. Lyell’s product candidates are enhanced with novel technology designed to generate T cells that resist exhaustion and have qualities of durable stemness in order to drive durable tumor cytotoxicity and achieve consistent and long-lasting clinical response. We were founded by cell therapy pioneers whose decades of research elevated the broader understanding of T-cell biology and its interaction with cancer. In our quest to advance next-generation CAR T-cell therapies, we have built a fully integrated company capable of discovering new technologies, translating science into therapies, manufacturing cell therapy products, and clinically evaluating them in patients. Our culture is based on Science, Respect, Collaboration, and Courage and reflects who we are, the environment we create, and our mission's urgency. The preferred location for this role is hybrid based out of our South San Francisco, CA office. ## POSITION SUMMARY: The incumbent is responsible for formulating an integrated vision and strategy for communicating effectively with the investor community resulting in positive brand recognition and strong investor interest in Lyell. The Director or Senior Director, Investor Relations and Communications ensures that the Company’s scientific and clinical development strategy and progress are clearly communicated to investors, analysts, media, and the broad financial community. The person in this role must translate complex technical data into investment-driving narratives. Collaboration with executives and product teams on the delivery of external communications and corporate initiatives is essential to optimize the story of Lyell and its advances in science with investors, media, and industry organizations to broaden awareness and the brand of Lyell. Key duties include helping to develop and manage press releases, the corporate website, quarterly earnings filings, organizing conferences/roadshows, optimizing the corporate deck, determining corporate milestones to be communicated externally, and ensuring regulatory compliance. ## KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Collaborate with the C-suite and product teams to develop and execute a communications strategy to share the importance of Lyell with investors via quarterly filings, conference calls, investor conferences, and roadshows; - Ensure that there is effective and consistent execution on the corporate communications strategy to ensure optimal outreach to investors and analysts to keep Lyell’s strategy and progress top of mind; - Lead, develop and execute a comprehensive, strategic communications strategy and tactical plan to achieve key investor relations objectives; evolve as needed; - Partner with Finance and Legal to ensure investor-facing communications are robust, timely and accurate, and provide compelling messaging and information. - Develop written materials, such as key messages, FAQs and talking points to effectively communicate the company’s positioning, decision, or program updates for conference calls and other investor/analysts events. - Train, advise, and develop spokespeople for media interviews, press conferences, and industry presentations; prepare talking points and briefing documents, as needed. - Leverage existing network and build strong relationships with analysts, investors, members of the press, influencers, and partners, including serving as an on-record spokesperson, per the external communications strategy; - Partner with media, identified PR agency, and external partners as needed to develop and execute campaigns, outreach programs, and monitor brand activity. - Maintain a thorough understanding of our corporate strategy and the importance of each stakeholder segment to our corporate and scientific portfolio and messaging. - Manage daily proactive and responsive communications for the company, including devising a crisis communications strategy and rapid response efforts. - Keep track of the developments and public announcements by our competitors and peer companies. ## PREFERRED EDUCATION: - Bachelor’s Degree in a Scientific discipline preferred; Communications, Marketing, or related field considered with significant biotech industry experience - Master’s Degree a plus ## PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: - Senior Director - - Minimum 10 years’ experience in public relations (preferably investor relations), corporate communications, or media with a strong understanding of business needs and competitive challenges in the life science industry. Minimum 8 years’ experience in management and leadership roles in mid to large size organizations. - Director - - Minimum 7-9 years’ experience in public relations (preferably investor relations), corporate communications, or media with a strong understanding of business needs and competitive challenges in the life science industry. Minimum 5-7 years’ experience in management and leadership roles in mid to large size organizations. - Experience in the biotech industry in investor relations and corporate communications or as sell-side analyst. - Effective track record in managing investor relations strategy and supporting significant initiatives such as financing, conference participation, and product launches. - Proven written and verbal communication strength with the ability to tailor messages to a diverse set of audiences and define the various voices of Lyell (internal, external, etc.). - Strong, proven executive leadership experience with business/corporate development or operations familiarity. ## KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: - Cross-functional experience leading through complexity, with the ability to influence and collaborate with multiple stakeholders at all levels across functions and levels. - Strong executive presence with the ability to lead executive discussions, focus on detail and think strategically. - Collaborative leadership style. - Track record of prioritizing and executing competing priorities in a fast-moving environment. - Willingness to “roll-up your sleeves” managing a diverse set of objectives, shifting fluidly from strategy to execution consistent with a start-up environment. - Agile and creative thinker in external communications; uses sound judgement. The salary range for this position is $220,000 to $300,000, annually, with the opportunity to earn an annual bonus. The salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on Lyell’s compensation practices and an applicant’s qualifications and experience. Employees are also eligible to participate in Lyell’s Equity Incentive Plan. At Lyell, we believe that highest performing teams include people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences who respectfully challenge each other. We are committed to building an open, diverse and inclusive culture for all employees. Lyell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws. We’ve learned from experience that some of the best people don’t always match our requirements perfectly - if you’re interested and think you could fit, please don’t hesitate to apply. ## About Lyell Immunopharma ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Lyell Immunopharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing next-generation CAR T-cell therapies designed to deliver durable remissions for patients with cancer. - **Entity Type**: Public (ticker not explicitly confirmed in provided sources; investor relations page indicates public reporting) - **Headquarters**: South San Francisco, California, United States - **Founded**: Not publicly available from provided sources - **Founders**: Rick Klausner, M.D. (Founder & Chairman), Crystal Mackall, M.D. (Founder), Stan Riddell, M.D. (Founder) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Biotechnology – Cell Therapy / Oncology - **Target customers**: B2B (healthcare providers, clinical trial sites, and patients seeking one-time cell therapies) - **Mission / purpose**: “To fully realize the curative potential of cell therapy for patients with cancer” – advancing next-generation CAR T cells that provide potent, long-lasting responses in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. ## Products & Services - **Ronde-Cel (LYL797)**: A next-generation CAR T-cell product candidate targeting ROR1 in solid tumors; currently presenting clinical and translational data at conferences like ASH 2025. - **Other pipeline candidates**: Multiple undisclosed product candidates for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, designed with novel CAR constructs, T-cell exhaustion‑resistance technologies, and proprietary manufacturing protocols. ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly available from provided sources - **Key Metric**: Clinical-stage; no approved product yet. Most recent disclosed financing is a $50 million tranche of equity private placement (closed April 2026). - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not explicitly listed in provided data; investors likely include those from private placements and institutional holders (details not available). - **Growth Signals**: - Clinical progress with Ronde-Cel in solid tumors - State-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bothell, WA, approved for clinical and commercial production - Active pipeline across hematologic and solid tumor indications - Establishment of three West Coast hubs (South San Francisco HQ, Seattle, Bothell) ## Competitive Advantages - **Proprietary T-cell biology**: Pioneering approaches to prevent T-cell exhaustion, enabling longer‑lived and more potent cancer killing. - **End‑to‑end control**: Own and operate a dedicated manufacturing facility, ensuring supply chain control and product quality. - **Founding by cell‑therapy pioneers**: Founders (Klausner, Mackall, Riddell) are leaders in the field, providing deep scientific expertise. ## Strategic Focus - **Pipeline advancement**: Progress next‑generation CAR T candidates through clinical trials, aiming to improve outcomes over first‑generation CAR T therapies. - **Solid tumor expansion**: Aggressively develop therapies for solid tumors where current cell therapies have limited efficacy. - **Manufacturing scale‑up**: Leverage internal manufacturing to accelerate development and eventual commercialization. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Described as “grounded in science, infused with courage, and powered by respect and collaboration.” Employees report feeling welcomed and able to contribute, with diverse perspectives valued. - **Work model**: Hybrid – in‑office collaboration days and weekly lunches; offices in South San Francisco, Seattle (South Lake Union), and Bothell. - **Benefits**: - Comprehensive medical, dental, vision (up to 100% premium for employees, 85% for dependents) - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with 15% discount - 401(k) matching - FSA/HSA options - Company‑sponsored life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability - Paid vacation and sick time - Commuter benefit - Wellness program (mental health, physical fitness, financial wellness) ## Sources 1. [Lyell.com – Company Overview](https://www.lyell.com/) 2. [Lyell.com – Careers](https://www.lyell.com/careers/) 3. [Lyell.com – Job Openings](https://www.lyell.com/careers/job-openings/) 4. [Lyell.com – Investor Relations](https://ir.lyell.com/investor-relations) 5. 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