Vice President, Program Management

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.

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 three 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)

• 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 work streams
• Ensure submission‑enabling activities – data management, regulatory strategy, CMC milestones – are tracked as integrated components of the program plan
• Support the COO in shaping late‑stage development strategy by providing operational perspective and risk intelligence
• Directly manage, mentor, and develop a team of three Program Managers and additional contractors, supporting cross‑functional program teams
• Build a high‑performing, accountable team culture with clear expectations, strong communication norms, and a commitment to continuous improvement
• Serve as a model for cross‑functional collaboration and operational excellence across the organization
• Support the professional growth of each PM through coaching, feedback, and expanding scope of responsibility over time
• Emulate Kailera’s culture and reinforce Operating Principles, ensuring that both program outcomes and the behaviors used to achieve them reflect the company’s commitment to collaboration, accountability, transparency, and operational excellence
• Design and maintain program governance frameworks, review cadences, and reporting structures in alignment with the COO
• Build a world‑class program management office capability – develop and standardize templates, dashboards, and tools that drive efficiency and visibility…