---
title: 'VP, Human Resources at Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/vp-human-resources-kiniksa-pharmaceuticals-lexington-nqh1qtm5thc2'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# VP, Human Resources at Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals

- **Company:** Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals
- **Location:** Lexington, MA
- **Compensation:** $310k–$345k
- **Posted:** 2026-04-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kiniksapharmaceuticals/jobs/4230404009

## 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.

Reporting directly to the COO, the Vice President of Human Resources will be a driving force behind Kiniksa’s global HR vision. As a pivotal member of the HR Leadership Team, this executive will partner closely with senior leaders across the organization to shape and execute enterprise-wide initiatives that fuel innovation, strengthen organizational agility, and elevate a high‑performance culture.

This leader will inspire and develop a team of HR Business Partners while collaborating seamlessly with HR Operations and Talent teams to deliver integrated, scalable people solutions that power Kiniksa’s continued growth and impact.

This role is based in our Lexington office and requires an onsite presence five days per week to support our commitment to seamless partnership, timely decision-making, and high-impact execution.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

- Lead the execution of a comprehensive HR strategy across the global organization, aligned with enterprise goals and culture
- Serve as a strategic partner to Kiniksa’s senior leadership, advising on organizational design, talent planning, and leadership development
- Build and manage a high-performing HR Business Partner team to deliver coordinated support across functions
- Drive organizational effectiveness through change management, performance enablement, and leadership capability building
- Build strong, influential relationships with key stakeholders, removing barriers to enable operational transformation across the business
- Facilitate regular leadership team meetings and drive continuous improvement in leadership capability and organizational effectiveness
- Establish a continuous improvement strategy grounded in business priorities to ensure organizational readiness for future growth and expansion.
- Partner with Talent Acquisition to attract and retain top talent in a competitive, high-growth environment
- Oversee employee relations and performance management strategies to foster accountability, and fast action in recognition and performance outcomes
- Collaborate with HR Operations to ensure compensation and benefits programs are implemented in a way that supports talent retention and motivation
- Champion and reinforce a culture that is aligned with enterprise-wide values and the strategic priorities of Kiniksa

Qualifications and Experience:

- 15+ years of Human Resources experience including HR leadership and people management
- Bachelor’s degree in business, HR, or related field required
- Experience working with senior leadership, with an established track record of delivering results
- Demonstrated success in a fast faced, innovative biotech/life sciences company
- Direct experience with executive and non-executive compensation, experience in incentive sales compensation a plus
- Executive presence and ability to lead and influence by example
- Flexible to adjust priorities based on overall business need
- Proven mindset of proactive continuous improvement
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong commitment to compliance and ethical standards
- Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.)
- Ability to travel up to 25%
- Salary is commensurate with experience

Compensation decisions are based on objective criteria including role responsibilities, experience/qualifications, internal equity, geographic location, and external market benchmarks.

Pay Range $310,000—$345,000 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. Director, Patient Access Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/assoc-director-patient-access-lead-kiniksa-pharmaceuticals-lexington-5rh0a2tpgs8v) — Lexington, MA
- [Associate Director/Director,  Pre-Clinical Program & Alliance Management](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-director-pre-clinical-program-alliance-management-kiniksa-tmgjgxr6c836) — Lexington, MA
- [Sr. Sales Director - Central](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-sales-director-central-kiniksa-pharmaceuticals-field-1vbk1v0d66st) — Field
- [Clinical Sales Specialist- Central](https://feeny.ai/job/clinical-sales-specialist-central-kiniksa-pharmaceuticals-field-a5r1bzmn3zsc) — Field
- [Clinical Sales Specialist- West](https://feeny.ai/job/clinical-sales-specialist-west-kiniksa-pharmaceuticals-field-fzg6x0jg6wg5) — Field
- [Clinical Sales Specialist- East](https://feeny.ai/job/clinical-sales-specialist-east-kiniksa-pharmaceuticals-field-yd26xq039jaw) — Field
- [Regional Sales Director - Central](https://feeny.ai/job/regional-sales-director-central-kiniksa-pharmaceuticals-field-d6nbsmr47mfk) — Field
- [Regional Sales Director - West](https://feeny.ai/job/regional-sales-director-west-kiniksa-pharmaceuticals-field-exgxd23p3kma) — Field