Director or Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Role Summary

Director or Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications develops and executes an integrated investor communications strategy to clearly convey Lyell's scientific and clinical progress to investors, analysts, media, and the financial community. The role translates complex technical data into investment-driving narratives, collaborates with executives and product teams on external communications, and oversees press materials, the corporate website, quarterly earnings filings, investor events, and milestone communications while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the C-suite and product teams to develop and execute a communications strategy to share the importance of Lyell with investors via quarterly filings, conference calls, investor conferences, and roadshows
• Ensure effective and consistent execution on the corporate communications strategy to optimize outreach to investors and analysts and keep Lyell’s strategy and progress top of mind
• Lead, develop and execute a comprehensive, strategic communications strategy and tactical plan to achieve key investor relations objectives; evolve as needed
• Partner with Finance and Legal to ensure investor-facing communications are robust, timely and accurate, and provide compelling messaging and information
• Develop written materials, such as key messages, FAQs and talking points to effectively communicate the company’s positioning, decisions, or program updates for conference calls and other investor/analyst events
• Train, advise, and develop spokespeople for media interviews, press conferences, and industry presentations; prepare talking points and briefing documents, as needed
• Leverage existing networks and build strong relationships with analysts, investors, members of the press, influencers, and partners, including serving as an on-record spokesperson per the external communications strategy
• Partner with media, a PR agency, and external partners as needed to develop campaigns, outreach programs, and monitor brand activity
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the corporate strategy and the importance of each stakeholder segment to the corporate and scientific portfolio and messaging
• Manage daily proactive and responsive communications for the company, including devising a crisis communications strategy and rapid response efforts
• Keep track of developments and public announcements by competitors and peer companies

Qualifications

• Required: Minimum 8 years’ experience in public relations (preferably investor relations), corporate communications, or media with a strong understanding of business needs and competitive challenges in the life science industry
• Required: Minimum 5 years’ experience in management and leadership roles in mid to large size organizations
• Preferred: Experience in the biotech industry in investor relations and corporate communications or as sell-side analyst
• Preferred: Effective track record in managing investor relations strategy and supporting significant initiatives such as financing, conference participation, and product launches
• Preferred: Proven written and verbal communication strength with the ability to tailor messages to a diverse set of audiences and define the various voices of Lyell (internal, external, etc.)
• Preferred: Strong, proven executive leadership experience with business/corporate development or operations familiarity

Skills

• Cross-functional experience leading through complexity, with the ability to influence and collaborate with multiple stakeholders at all levels across functions
• Strong executive presence with the ability to lead executive discussions, focus on detail and think strategically
• Collaborative leadership style
• Track record of prioritizing and executing competing priorities in a fast-moving environment
• Willingness to “roll up your sleeves” managing a diverse set of objectives, shifting from strategy to execution in a startup environment
• Agile and creative thinker in external communications; uses sound judgement

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Scientific discipline preferred; Communications, Marketing, or related field considered with significant biotech industry experience
• Master’s Degree a plus