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.
Title: Director, Marketing Promotions
Reports To: VP of Marketing
Location: Emeryville, CA (Hybrid: 2 days a week) or West Coast Remote
Travel: Approximately 25%
Position Overview
Kyverna Therapeutics is seeking a Director, Marketing Promotions to lead the strategic development, execution, and governance of promotional strategies and activities for miv-cel and future pipeline products. This role is responsible for building and scaling promotional capabilities in a manner that is patient-centric, scientifically grounded, and fully compliant with global regulatory and ethical standards.
The Director will partner closely with Sales, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Legal, Compliance, Market Access, and Commercial leadership to ensure that all promotional initiatives effectively communicate Kyverna’s value proposition and differentiation while maintaining the highest standards of scientific accuracy and integrity. This individual will play a critical leadership role in preparing Kyverna for launch and supporting lifecycle management as the organization transitions from development-stage to commercial operations.
Responsibilities
Provide strong leadership skills with an ability to set a vision, manage change and drive performance within a fast-moving, challenging, and dynamic commercial environment
Define and own the global promotional strategy for Kyverna’s assets, ensuring alignment with brand strategy, corporate objectives, and patient needs. This includes shaping core promotional narratives, messaging frameworks, and omnichannel engagement strategies that support launch readiness and long-term brand growth.
Responsible for budget oversight and management of agency of record and other key agency partnerships to ensure strategic alignment and delivery of promotional resources and materials supporting commercialization.
Development of peer to peer and patient programs, promotional materials across channels, including digital, field-based, congress, and non-personal promotion. Ensures that all materials are scientifically accurate, balanced, and clearly differentiated, while effectively translating complex science into compelling, compliant messaging for healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.
Develop the commercial launch Plan of Action (POA) for field sales teams; coordinate with Commercial Training and provide implementation guidance; provide strategic guidance to Commercial Operations on conference and sales meeting plans.
Close collaboration with Medical Affairs to ensure appropriate separation of promotional and non-promotional activities, and with Market Access and HEOR teams to align promotional messaging with payer value narratives. Also partner closely with Sales leadership as the face of the Brand Team, ensuring promotional materials and campaigns effectively support field execution.
Lead promotional readiness for first and subsequent product/indication launches, including message testing, omnichannel planning, conference and sponsorships planning, execution of strategic and tactical promotional plans. Post-launch, this role will partner with lifecycle management and evolve promotional strategies and approaches based on Kyverna’s market expansion strategy, market feedback, performance data, and evolving competitive dynamics.
Accountable for establishing and managing efficient Promotional Review Committee (PRC) review processes, ensuring timely approvals while maintaining strict adherence to regulatory, legal, and compliance requirements. This role serves as a senior escalation point for complex promotional issues and ensures alignment with internal policies and external regulations.
Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing marketing promotions team and agency partners. The role includes establishing best practices, processes, and capabilities that scale with Kyverna’s growth, while fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Partner cross functionally with Legal, Medical, Clinical, Regulatory, Patient Advocacy, and Corporate Affairs, leading cross-functional projects as needed
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree (MBA, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent) preferred.
10+ years’ experience in marketing, including digital and social media, promotional regulations, PRC processes, and compliance standards.
Demonstrated success leading promotional strategy for cell-therapy, specialty, rare disease, or complex scientific products, ideally including launch experience. Biotech sales experience is a plus.
Deep experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology marketing promotions, with a strong understanding of regulated promotional environments.
Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to influence and align senior stakeholders across the organization.
Executive presence, strategic judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, high-growth environment.
Exceptional communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to balance high-level strategy with hands-on leadership.
Demonstrated leadership skills with an ability to set a vision, to lead change, and to lead and mentor others.
Strategic Vision, Cross-functional Leadership, Project Management, Ability to influence with and without authority
Firm command of agency and financial management with an understanding of revenue forecasting and expense budget planning and tracking
Comfort navigating ambiguity and contributing at the executive leadership level is essential.
The national salary range for this position is $220K to $250K USD annually. This salary range is an estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay for this position, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors that may include but are not limited to quality and length of experience, education, geographic location and alignment with market data. This position is also eligible for bonus, benefits, and participation in the company’s stock plan.