Senior Director, US EMPAVELI Brand Lead – Nephrology & Hematology
Apellis Pharmaceuticals
August 08, 2026
Remote friendly (Waltham, MA)
United States
Marketing
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Oversee marketing for the EMPAVELI franchise (PNH, C3G, IC-MPGN); manage and mentor a high-performing US Marketing Team (manager of managers, feedback, goal setting).
- Lead ongoing launch of EMPAVELI into nephrology (C3G & IC-MPGN) with cross-functional leadership; provide updates on launch progress.
- Develop brand strategy with cross-functional leadership; ensure execution.
- Build collaboration/accountability across home office and field leadership; drive a portfolio mindset.
- Define brand KPIs across indications; monitor performance and drive success in a competitive market.
- Lead quarterly business reviews and monthly updates for North America Leadership with Business Intelligence.
- Participate in short- and long-term forecasting and brand goal development.
- Ensure cross-functional alignment and life-cycle management, including LCM and evidence generation advocacy.
- Represent US commercial on Labeling, EMPAVELI Program, and Comms.
- Lead annual US strategy and oversee US brand planning; partner with Alliance Management (Sobi).
- Ensure compliance/legal/regulatory infrastructure supports US marketing execution.
- Drive patient-focus/customer-centricity and steward the marketing team budget with P&L support.
Education & Qualifications:
- BS/BA in life sciences; MBA preferred.
- 12+ years biotech/pharma experience, predominantly marketing; complementary commercial experience.
- Affiliate launches and rare disease experience preferred.
Skills/Abilities:
- Rare disease experience preferred (not required).
- Proven leadership, plan-building, accountability, urgency.
- Strong customer focus; integrity; ability to influence across functions.
- Ability to succeed in fast-paced, results-driven, ambiguous environments.
- Onsite at Cambridge 3x/week; travel up to 30% and attend events outside business hours.
Benefits:
- 401(k) match, family building benefits, flexible time off, paid family leave, disability and life insurance, plus other benefits.
- Oversee marketing for the EMPAVELI franchise (PNH, C3G, IC-MPGN); manage and mentor a high-performing US Marketing Team (manager of managers, feedback, goal setting).
- Lead ongoing launch of EMPAVELI into nephrology (C3G & IC-MPGN) with cross-functional leadership; provide updates on launch progress.
- Develop brand strategy with cross-functional leadership; ensure execution.
- Build collaboration/accountability across home office and field leadership; drive a portfolio mindset.
- Define brand KPIs across indications; monitor performance and drive success in a competitive market.
- Lead quarterly business reviews and monthly updates for North America Leadership with Business Intelligence.
- Participate in short- and long-term forecasting and brand goal development.
- Ensure cross-functional alignment and life-cycle management, including LCM and evidence generation advocacy.
- Represent US commercial on Labeling, EMPAVELI Program, and Comms.
- Lead annual US strategy and oversee US brand planning; partner with Alliance Management (Sobi).
- Ensure compliance/legal/regulatory infrastructure supports US marketing execution.
- Drive patient-focus/customer-centricity and steward the marketing team budget with P&L support.
Education & Qualifications:
- BS/BA in life sciences; MBA preferred.
- 12+ years biotech/pharma experience, predominantly marketing; complementary commercial experience.
- Affiliate launches and rare disease experience preferred.
Skills/Abilities:
- Rare disease experience preferred (not required).
- Proven leadership, plan-building, accountability, urgency.
- Strong customer focus; integrity; ability to influence across functions.
- Ability to succeed in fast-paced, results-driven, ambiguous environments.
- Onsite at Cambridge 3x/week; travel up to 30% and attend events outside business hours.
Benefits:
- 401(k) match, family building benefits, flexible time off, paid family leave, disability and life insurance, plus other benefits.