Vice President, Medical Affairs

Using living cells to treat – and sometimes even cure – cancer is one of the most dramatic advances in modern medicine. Patients with hematologic malignancies have been successfully treated with cell therapies. However, these profound results have not yet been achieved in patients with solid tumors, representing approximately 90% of all cancers. And for patients with hematologic malignancies, there is a need for next-generation cell therapies that can deliver increased response rates and longer duration of response.  We are a clinical-stage company advancing a pipeline of next-generation CAR T-cell therapies for patients with solid tumors or hematologic malignancies. Lyell’s product candidates are enhanced with novel technology designed to generate T cells that resist exhaustion and have qualities of durable stemness in order to drive durable tumor cytotoxicity and achieve consistent and long-lasting clinical response. We were founded by cell therapy pioneers whose decades of research elevated the broader understanding of T-cell biology and its interaction with cancer. In our quest to advance next-generation CAR T-cell therapies, we have built a fully integrated company capable of discovering new technologies, translating science into therapies, manufacturing cell therapy products, and clinically evaluating them in patients. Our culture is based on Science, Respect, Collaboration, and Courage and reflects who we are, the environment we create, and our mission's urgency.  This role is a hybrid role and is based out of our South San Francisco, California office.

Position Summary

In this role, the Vice President, Medical Affairs will serve as a senior leader within Medical Affairs, reporting directly to the SVP, Medical Affairs. This role is responsible for leading U.S. Medical Affairs strategy and execution, ensuring scientific and medical excellence, and establishing Lyell as a trusted partner with external stakeholders. The Vice President will play a critical role in preparing for Lyell’s first approval and commercial launch and in building and scaling a high-performing Medical Affairs team to support the current and future pipeline. 

Key Role And Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of U.S. Medical Affairs strategy in alignment with corporate and clinical objectives.
• Partner closely with the SVP, Medical Affairs to shape and evolve the overall vision for Medical Affairs. 
• Provide senior medical leadership and insight across Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, and Market Access functions. 

External Engagement

• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with KOLs, investigators, academic centers, and community practices in oncology/hematology.
• Represent Lyell at scientific congresses and professional societies (e.g., ASH, ASCO, EHA, ICML). 
• Facilitate scientific exchange and education initiatives to support awareness and understanding of Lyell’s programs. 

Medical Excellence

• Oversee the development of medical narratives, scientific platforms, publications strategy, and congress activities.
• Partner with Clinical Development to inform trial design, recruitment strategies, and evidence generation needs. 
• Ensure compliant, high-quality execution of field medical and medical communication initiatives. 

Team Building

• Recruit, mentor, and manage a high-performing Medical Affairs team. 
• Direct resource planning and budget oversight for Medical Affairs. 
• Foster a culture of integrity, collaboration, and patient focus. 

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure Medical Affairs activities comply with legal, regulatory, and corporate standards. 
• Contribute to the development and implementation of governance frameworks (e.g., MRC, authorship policies, steering committee charters). 

Preferred Education & Experience

• MD, DO, PharmD, or PhD required. Oncology/hematology specialty strongly preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience, with 7+ years in Medical Affairs leadership roles. 
• Extensive experience in oncology; prior experience in cell therapy, immuno-oncology, or hematologic malignancies highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale Medical Affairs functions in a high-growth environment. 
• Strong knowledge of U.S. compliance and regulatory requirements applicable to Medical Affairs. 
• Prior experience managing direct reports and accountability for internal and external deliverables. 

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Proven scientific expertise in oncology/hematology therapeutic areas. 
• Strong oral, written, and presentation skills; ability to engage both scientific and non-scientific audiences. 
• Excellent project management and organizational skills for overseeing multiple concurrent initiatives. 
• Ability to effectively collaborate with and influence cross-functional stakeholders at senior levels. 
• Experience applying external insights to inform Medical Affairs strategy. 
• Demonstrated success in mentoring, developing, and managing teams of skilled industry professionals. 

Lyell offers its employees a range of compensation and benefits. To assist you with your decision to apply for this role, the following decision to apply for this role, the following information and links to our site highlight our competitive market position and support to our employees and their dependents.   The salary range for this position is $275,000 to $350,000, annually, with the opportunity to earn an annual bonus. The salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on Lyell’s compensation practices and an applicant’s qualifications and experience. Employees are also eligible to participate in Lyell’s Equity Incentive Plan.   Our Employee Benefits program is extensive and includes subsidized medical, dental and vision plans from your first day of employment, FSA, Company provided Life and AD&D Insurance as well as STD and LTD Insurance, ESPP, a 401(k) Plan with Company match, mass transit commuter benefits, cell phone reimbursement and a range of supplemental benefits that you may choose to elect. Our paid time-off benefits currently include 18 days’ vacation, 9 day’s sick leave, 8 observed holidays as well as a floating holiday. We also have a summer and a winter office shutdown.   At Lyell, we believe that highest performing teams include people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences who respectfully challenge each other. We are committed to building an open, diverse and inclusive culture for all employees. Lyell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.   We’ve learned from experience that some of the best people don’t always match our requirements perfectly - if you’re interested and think you could fit, please don’t hesitate to apply.