Senior Brand Director, Obexelimab (Waltham)

Zenas is a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of transformative therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases. Our core business strategy combines our experienced leadership team with a disciplined product candidate acquisition approach to identify, acquire and develop product candidates globally that we believe can provide superior clinical benefits to patients living with autoimmune diseases. Zenas is advancing two late-stage, potential franchise molecules, obexelimab and orelabrutinib. Obexelimab, Zenas’ lead product candidate, is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb, which are broadly present across B cell lineage, to inhibit the activity of cells that are implicated in many autoimmune diseases without depleting them. We believe that obexelimab’s unique mechanism of action and self-administered, subcutaneous injection regimen may broadly and effectively address the pathogenic role of B cell lineage in chronic autoimmune disease. Orelabrutinib is a potentially best-in-class, highly selective CNS-penetrant, oral, small molecule Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor with the potential to address compartmentalized inflammation and disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Zenas’ earlier stage programs include ZB021, a clinical-stage, potentially best-in-class, oral, IL-17AA/AF inhibitor; ZB022, a preclinical, potentially best-in-class, oral, brain-penetrant, TYK2 inhibitor; and ZB014, a preclinical half-life extended anti-CD-19 and FcγRIIb monoclonal antibody.We are seeking top talent who share our commitment to patients and have a track record of success in acquiring, developing and commercializing products across the globe. Our colleagues have an opportunity to engage in a fast-paced learning environment and experience individual and organizational success as we work towards becoming a global immunology and autoimmune disease leader, while living our values of Transparency, Relationships, Urgency, Excellence and Innovation – TRUE Innovation!Position Summary:Zenas is seeking a seasoned, dynamic commercial marketing leader with deep US market understanding and experience in immunology, inflammation and/or rare disease to serve as the marketing lead for obexelimab’s first anticipated commercial indication in IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD), setting the strategic direction for brand positioning, messaging, customer segmentation across all audiences, market development, launch readiness and commercial execution.Reporting to the VP, Head of Marketing, the Senior Brand Director for obexelimab in IgG4-RD will actively participate across the brand’s key workstreams and serve as the marketing voice on the Integrated Brand & Launch Team. The role requires a senior marketer with strong executional acumen, the credibility to represent marketing’s perspective across functions, and the ability to translate insight into compelling messages and high-quality launch assets.Key Responsibilities:Brand Strategy & Launch ReadinessParticipate as the Marketing lead in the brand strategy for obexelimab in IgG4-RD across all customer audiences, including product positioning, messaging, market differentiation and core strategic choices — bringing the marketing perspective and ensuring marketing activities are aligned with brand strategy.Represent the Marketing team on the Obexelimab Integrated Brand & Launch Team, collaborating in strategic alignment across brand, launch and cross-functional workstreams.Contribute to launch-readiness planning by owning marketing milestones, driving execution of marketing activities, and ensuring alignment with brand strategy and commercial investment priorities.Translate market research, advisory board feedback, competitive intelligence and field insights into actionable brand strategies and tactical plans across customer segments.Brand Messaging, Market Development & Customer EngagementEstablish core brand messaging for the full customer base, including key specialists, KOLs, account-based stakeholders and patient/caregiver audiences, ensuring a consistent and compelling brand voice across all segments and across all channels (personal promotion and non-personal promotion)Lead development of disease education and promotional materials for all customer audiences from concept through review and approval, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and regulatory requirements.Contribute to market development strategy and drive execution of marketing activities across congress, speaker bureau and customer engagement initiatives for HCP, patient and community audiences in partnership with Strategic Engagement and Medical Affairs.Partner with Sales and Training to ensure field teams are equipped with clear messages, useful tools and practical customer engagement resources.Customer Segmentation, Channel Strategy & InsightsLead customer segmentation and targeting efforts across HCP, patient and payer audiences to optimize outreach, precision and impact across channels.Define the integrated channel strategy for all customer audiences in partnership with digital, analytics and agency partners, including modular content, channel planning and connected customer touchpoints.Use data and analytics to guide investment choices, refine customer strategy and optimize budget allocation across tactics and segments.Identify opportunities to strengthen HCP understanding of IgG4-RD and obexelimab's potential role through credible, compliant and customer-centered education.Cross-Functional Leadership, Budget & Agency ManagementEnsure strong collaboration across Marketing, Sales, Access & Trade, Strategic Engagement, Analytics, Medical Affairs, Compliance, Legal, Regulatory and Patient Support Services.Lead agency partners to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget, with clear briefs, roles, timelines and expectations.Prioritize investment opportunities and secure budget alignment from senior leadership for strategic brand and commercial marketing initiatives.Champion cross-functional teamwork, urgency, continuous learning and high standards of execution consistent with Zenas' TRUE Innovation values.Qualifications:RequiredBachelor's degree required; advanced degree in business, marketing or life sciences preferred.12+ years of pharmaceutical or biotechnology marketing experience, including meaningful brand ownership across multiple customer audiences, strategic leadership and launch experience at the Director level or above.Deep understanding of US market dynamics, specialty pharmaceutical commercialization and cross-functional launch planning.Demonstrated success developing customer-centric marketing strategy, positioning, messaging and promotional/disease education assets.Experience leading customer segmentation and targeting across HCP, patient and/or payer audiences, integrated channel planning and insight-driven resource allocation.Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority workstreams and meet tight deadlines.Executive-level communication, analytical and influencing skills, with a demonstrated track record of shaping commercial strategy and building alignment at senior levels across functions.Experience navigating MLR review processes and working closely with Legal, Regulatory, Compliance and Medical Affairs partnersAbility to travel up to approximately 30%, including national medical congresses, customer engagements, agency meetings and internal team meetings.PreferredImmunology, inflammation and/or rare disease experience.Experience with rheumatology, gastroenterology, systemic autoimmune disease or B-cell mediated conditions.Brand, HCP, patient and/or account marketing experience across multiple customer audiences, brands or indications.Familiarity with modular content strategy, Veeva Vault PromoMats or equivalent platforms.Field experience or close partnership with customer-facing teams.The position is eligible for a competitive compensation and benefits package.Zenas is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base salary pay range for this role is $217,600 to $272,000. Actual compensation packages will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to depth of experience, education, skillset, overall performance and/or location.Zenas believes in providing a competitive compensation and benefits package to all employees. Our base salary is just one component of Zenas’ competitive total rewards strategy that also includes annual performance bonus, equity, full range of benefits and other incentive compensation plans.Zenas BioPharma is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an environment where diversity is valued. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit, qualifications and the needs of the business.