Director, Publications Lead

About KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

KalVista is a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to delivering life-changing oral therapies for individuals affected by rare diseases with significant unmet needs. The KalVista team discovered and developed EKTERLY®—the first and only oral on-demand treatment for hereditary angioedema (HAE)—and continues to work closely with the global HAE community to improve treatment and care for this disease around the world.

For more information about KalVista, please visit www.kalvista.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Publications Lead is a critical role within the broader Scientific Communications Team, which is made up of Publications, Medical Communications, Medical Congresses & Training, and Medical Information Teams. This role will report to the Head of Scientific Communications and is responsible for the development and execution of publication strategy and tactics across pipeline and marketed assets and for leading the Publications Team. This role requires working collaboratively with Evidence Generation, HEOR, Clinical Development, R&D, Regulatory, and Regional and Global Medical and Commercial Teams to ensure high-quality, strategically aligned, and impactful scientific communication. The ideal candidate is an experienced publications professional, effective writer, strategic and forward-thinking scientific leader who has deep knowledge of good publications practices with substantial experience supporting both marketed and pipeline assets. This individual must excel at medical writing, publication processes, cross-functional alignment, communication skills, and team management.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Core Responsibilities 

• Develop an impactful Publication Plan for pipeline and marketed assets 

• Plan, coordinate, and execute all aspects of the Publication Plan with internal and external stakeholders 

• Pull through communication objectives beyond publications by collaborating with the broader Scientific Communications Team 

• Lead the Publications Team to ensure timely delivery of high‑quality publications 

Expanded Responsibilities 

• Lead the development and successful execution of the annual Publication Plan, translating strategic priorities and action‑oriented objectives into publication deliverables 

• Establish and maintain strategic alignment across cross‑functional partners, ensuring harmonized and compliant publication planning aligned with SOPs, GPP, and ICMJE guidelines 

• Drive cross‑functional publication planning meetings, including the annual Publication Strategy Workshop and monthly Publication Strategy & Planning Meetings 

• Integrate emerging clinical data, trial milestones, regulatory updates, and scientific insights to adjust publication priorities in real time 

• Identify opportunities to enhance scientific impact through digital, omnichannel, and innovative communication strategies 

• Write, review, and approve publications in accordance with Publication SOPs 

• Oversee execution of Publication Plan to ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance 

• Cultivate strong relationships with key opinion leaders (academic institutions, professional societies, patient advocacy groups) to support scientific exchange 

• Provide presenting‑author training for congress deliverables 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing Publications Team 

• Oversee publication‑related vendor partnerships, budget, and contracts 

• Support publication‑related training for the broader Medical Affairs organization 

• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to publication timelines, quality, compliance, stakeholder satisfaction, and scientific impact 

• Contribute to the broader Scientific Communication Plan 

• Maintain expertise in industry trends, best practices, and emerging innovations in scientific publications

 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree required: MD, PharmD, PhD, or equivalent 

• 10+ years of experience in medical writing, publication planning, or medical communications within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agency, or academic environments 

• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in Medical Affairs

 

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong understanding of EMA, FDA, OIG, GPP, ICMJE and medical publication and communication compliance standards 

• Experience using publication and content management systems (e.g., Pubstrat, Veeva) and biomedical databases (PubMed, Ovid) 

• Strong publication record in peer‑reviewed journals and experience presenting scientific data at major conferences 

• Experience in immunology and rare diseases 

• Expertise in developing and executing global publication strategy 

• Experience supporting both pipeline and marketed assets, including launch and lifecycle planning 

• Proven success leading cross‑disciplinary scientific collaborations and managing publication initiatives 

 

EXPECTATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Role Expectations 

• Deliver high‑quality, timely, compliant publications aligned with organizational priorities 

• Collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams including Evidence Generation, HEOR, Clinical Development, R&D, and Regulatory 

• Maintain strong external engagement with key opinion leaders and scientific stakeholders 

• Ensure effective training for authors and internal teams involved in publications 

Competencies 

• Exceptional scientific writing, storytelling, and communication abilities 

• Ability to translate complex scientific data into clear, compelling messages 

• Demonstrated intellectual agility and strong problem‑solving capability 

• Strategic and analytical thinker with solid business acumen 

• Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high‑performing teams 

• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation, and influencing skills 

• Excellent organizational and project‑management skills; able to manage multiple priorities independently 

• Commitment to patient‑centricity, innovation, and high ethical standards 

 

 

OUR VISION

We Deliver Novel Therapies That Empower People To Live Better Lives.

 

Our OPERATING PRINCIPLES, referenced below, guide our behaviors and decisions:

Define Success – And Then Deliver
Act with outcomes in mind. Have high expectations. Details Matter.

Be Data Driven And Openly Debate – But Be Decisive
Time is valuable. Say the thing you can’t say. Understand timelines and meet them.

Have An Ownership Mentality
This is your company; treat it that way. Protect our resources, reputation, and results.

Be Internally Collaborative And Externally Competitive
We go further, faster, together. Have a bias for action, but bring others along. Offer solutions, not just problems.

Good People = Great Company
Act with integrity. Assume positive intent. Be Kind.

 

Important Notice to Third-Party Recruiters & Staffing Agencies:

The current job openings advertised on this website are for the sole purpose of candidates to apply directly. Unsolicited and anonymous CVs submitted in any manner to KalVista employees, including to employee personal e-mail accounts, are considered to be the property of KalVista and will not qualify for a fee to be paid. Referral fees will only be payable where KalVista has agreed with an agency to work on a specific appointment, and then only in conjunction with a fully-executed contract for service.

If any Agency representative contacts a KalVista Hiring Manager or company employee, other than a member of the KalVista Talent Acquisition team, to solicit an appointment to engage on a job opening, that Agency will not be considered for that specific job opening or future opportunities with KalVista.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.