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.
Position Overview
Kyverna is seeking an experienced and strategic Associate Director, Medical Communications, to lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, publication-focused scientific communications strategy. This role is responsible for shaping and delivering high-impact scientific communications across peer-reviewed journals, medical congresses, and broader external channels.
The Associate Director will drive the end-to-end publication lifecycle, including publication planning, authorship strategy, content development, and execution excellence. This individual will serve as a key leader within Medical Affairs, translating complex clinical and scientific data into clear, credible narratives while ensuring full compliance with Good Publication Practice (GPP), ICMJE guidelines, and internal standards. This role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution, with responsibility for guiding cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure timely, high-quality, and compliant dissemination of data aligned with Kyverna’s scientific and Medical Affairs objectives.
Department: Medical Affairs
Location: Remote eligible
Reports To: Director, Medical Affairs
Travel: Willingness to travel up to approximately 20%
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and lifecycle management of the global, integrated publication strategy across Kyverna’s therapeutic pipeline, ensuring alignment with clinical milestones, regulatory timelines, and Medical Affairs priorities.
- Drive end-to-end execution of scientific publications, including manuscripts, abstracts, posters, oral presentations, and case reports, ensuring scientific rigor, clarity, and consistency across all deliverables.
- Serve as the primary owner of publication deliverables, accountable for timelines, quality, authorship strategy, and compliance across all outputs.
- Lead and facilitate cross-functional Publication Team meetings, partnering closely with Clinical Development, Biostatistics, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, and other stakeholders to ensure accurate interpretation and communication of clinical data.
- Translate complex clinical trial data into compelling, scientifically accurate narratives that support scientific exchange and external engagement.
- Independently write, edit, and critically review scientific and medical content, while providing strategic oversight of external medical writers and publication vendors.
- Manage relationships with external collaborators, including key opinion leaders (KOLs), authors, and agencies, ensuring efficient coordination and high-quality outputs.
- Oversee publication review processes, incorporating cross-functional feedback while maintaining scientific integrity and alignment with communication objectives.
- Ensure full compliance with GPP, ICMJE, and internal SOPs, including appropriate documentation, transparency, and authorship standards.
- Integrate publication planning with congress strategy, supporting abstracts, presentations, and related scientific communication activities aligned with key congress milestones.
- Develop and maintain deep expertise in disease areas, product data, and the competitive landscape to inform publication strategy and messaging.
- Identify and implement process improvements, tools, and best practices to enhance publication efficiency, quality, and scalability.
- Stay current with industry trends, innovations, and emerging practices in scientific communications and publications.
- Develop and support other medical communications deliverables, including slide decks, advisory boards, and symposia, as needed
- Attend key scientific congresses to support execution and gather insights on evolving science and competitive intelligence.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or equivalent) in a scientific or health-related field preferred; alternatively, a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with progressively relevant experience.
- 7+ years of experience in medical communications, publications, or scientific communications within biotech, pharmaceutical, or medical communications environments.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing global publication strategies, with a strong track record of delivering high-impact scientific publications.
- Deep understanding of clinical trial design, data interpretation, and scientific storytelling.
- Strong knowledge of GPP, ICMJE, and regulatory/compliance requirements governing industry-sponsored publications.
- Exceptional scientific writing, editing, and critical review skills, with high attention to detail and accuracy.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
- Experience managing external vendors, agencies, and medical writers.
- Highly organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple complex deliverables in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively across functions and levels.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically while also executing tactically.
- CMPP certification preferred.
The national salary range for this position is from $170,000 to $190,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay for this posted position, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation individual education, experience, tenure, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. This position is also eligible for bonus, benefits, and participation in Company’s stock plan.
