Sr. Director, Corporate Communications

About the role

Kyverna Therapeutics is a patient-focused biopharmaceutical company at the clinical stage, working on cell therapies for people living with autoimmune diseases. The company is driven by a set of core values centered on purpose, collaboration, clarity, innovation, and accountability, and is aiming to change the standard of care in autoimmune treatment.

This position is for a Senior Director of Corporate Communications based in Emeryville, CA, with a hybrid setup or remote eligibility. The role reports to the SVP, Head of Corporate Affairs and functions as a broad corporate affairs partner, working closely with business leaders to strengthen the company’s reputation in the autoimmune CAR T space while also supporting employee engagement and business outcomes.

The person in this role will lead company-wide corporate and pipeline communications, with special focus on the lead program in stiff person syndrome. The role also owns the social media approach, helps build Kyverna’s external profile, and drives internal communications programs that keep employees informed and engaged.

Corporate and pipeline communications

• Design and deliver external communication plans that advance business priorities, including focused and proactive media outreach.
• Create a communications plan for the pipeline and coordinate related activity around important company data milestones.
• Lead pre-launch communications for stiff person syndrome in coordination with the corporate communications team.
• Define and run the company’s social and digital media strategy, including oversight of corporate channels such as the website and social platforms, along with a content calendar to sustain stakeholder engagement.
• Draft press releases, Q&As, key messages, and other media-ready materials, while keeping the corporate news calendar current.
• Help shape a core company narrative that can be adapted across internal and external channels.
• Keep key communication assets up to date, including the corporate deck, advertisements, style rules, and branding materials.
• Support issue response and crisis communications as required.
• Develop close working ties with Investor Relations and subject matter experts across pipeline programs.
• Oversee external agency partners.

Internal communications

• Plan and implement internal communications initiatives that improve employee understanding of the business strategy and strengthen engagement.
• Write internal messages, announcements, and change-management communications.
• Work with functional leaders to understand their strategies and translate them into effective internal messaging.
• Partner closely with Human Resources on employee engagement initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, liberal arts, or a related area is preferred.
• More than 12 years of experience in corporate communications, internal communications, content creation, digital communications, and product or pipeline communications, ideally within life sciences or pharma.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills, both for internal and external audiences, backed by a history of effective interpersonal communication.
• Hands-on experience managing digital and social channels such as LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
• Background in media relations and crisis communications.
• Working knowledge of communications rules and expectations for a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, including partnership with Investor Relations.
• Ability to understand complex science and explain it clearly.
• Experience advising and coaching senior executives on communications.
• Strong team orientation and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.
• Curious mindset with the ability to learn quickly.
• Comfort operating in a fast-moving, highly innovative environment and delivering results.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and capable of managing multiple priorities, timelines, and budgets at the same time.

Compensation and benefits

The expected annual base pay range for this position is $240,000 to $270,000 USD. Actual pay may vary depending on education, experience, tenure, skills, abilities, internal equity, and market alignment. In addition to salary, the role is eligible for a bonus, benefits, and participation in the company stock plan.

Additional information

Location: Emeryville, CA (hybrid) or remote eligible.

Reports to: SVP, Head of Corporate Affairs.

The position is full-time.