Vice President, Program Management

The posting, as Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. wrote it

At Kailera, we are bold, authentic and committed to our mission of developing therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health. Rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit and a team-oriented culture, we are working together to advance Kailera’s mission to advance novel therapies for obesity and related conditions.

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes collaboration, integrity, and excellence. As we expand, we seek the most talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to join our team.

What You’ll Do

The Vice President, Program Management is accountable for the operational execution of Kailera’s development programs, with a strong emphasis on late-stage development. Reporting to the Chief Business and Operating Officer, this leader will serve as the day-to-day engine of the program management function – ensuring that integrated plans are built, maintained, and executed with rigor. The Vice President will directly manage a team of thee Program Managers (plus additional contract Program Managers) and serve as the cross-functional connective tissue that keeps teams aligned, milestones on track, and risks visible.

This role demands a leader who is equally comfortable driving detailed execution and operating at the strategic level alongside functional heads and senior leadership. The ideal candidate brings deep Phase 3 experience, strong team development instincts, and the discipline to build and sustain operational infrastructure in a fast-moving organization.

Required location: Waltham, MA (hub-based, onsite 3-4 days per week)

Responsibilities

• Own integrated program management across Kailera's development portfolio across all programs, with primary accountability for Phase 3 programs
• Drive the evolution of Kailera’s program management capabilities toward a portfolio-based framework, providing enterprise-wide visibility into milestones, dependencies, resources, risks, and strategic priorities
• Build and maintain comprehensive integrated project plans, timelines, and cross-functional dependencies
• Track and communicate program status, key milestones, critical path activities, and risks with clarity and consistency
• Ensure cross-functional teams are aligned on priorities, deliverables, and decision points at all stages of development
• Proactively identify risks and interdependencies; drive issue resolution with urgency and accountability
• Participate in Quarterly Business Reviews, providing program updates, highlighting key milestones, risks, and strategic considerations across the portfolio
• Partner closely with Clinical, Regulatory, CMC, and Medical Affairs to ensure Phase 3 plans are fully integrated and execution-ready
• Manage program timelines from Phase 3 initiation through NDA submission readiness, coordinating across all workstreams
• Ensure submission-enabling activities – data management, regulatory

[…]
ocrinology, or similar) preferred; oncology-only backgrounds are less preferred

• History of succeeding in lean, fast-moving biotech environments – bringing structure and discipline without sacrificing speed
• Exceptional communication and facilitation skills; ability to distill complexity and drive clarity at all levels of the organization

Education

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent) preferred

Salary Range
$272,000 — $340,000 USD

For Full Time Roles: This range represents the company’s good-faith estimate of the salary at the time of posting. Actual pay may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, location, and internal equity. We also offer comprehensive health coverage, flexible time off, paid holidays, and a year-end shutdown. Enjoy a monthly wellness stipend, generous 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, disability and life insurance, plus annual bonus opportunities and equity grants—because your well-being and future matter to us.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, creed, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age (40 and over), sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, reproductive health decisions, domestic victim status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

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