Senior Director, Immunology

Company Summary:

Metaphore Biotechnologies, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company building the next generation of biological therapeutics. Inspired by nature, our mission is to transform patient lives by unlocking the power of biological therapeutics with a new mimic-discovery platform. 

Flagship Pioneering is a biotechnology company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $90 billion in aggregate value. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies, and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com. 

Position Summary

Metaphore Bio is seeking a talented and highly motivated Senior Director of Immunology to join the Preclinical Research and Development team. The ideal candidate will bring extensive expertise in immunology across autoimmune, inflammatory and/or metabolic diseases areas, established drug discovery experience and team leadership, and a proven track record of guiding successfully multidisciplinary teams from early discovery through IND and early clinical development. 

We’re looking for a resourceful problem solver and agile leader, someone who is not only scientifically rigorous and accountable for their and their team’s work, but also has a high EQ and is a motivating force within cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate brings a track record of building trust, driving results in a fast pace and demanding environment, and enabling others to do their best work, all while communicating with clarity and empathy.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing immunology-focused research group, setting the scientific strategy and vision in alignment with Metaphore’s platform capabilities and long-term goals.
• Lead exploratory biology efforts to identify novel therapeutic opportunities in autoimmune and inflammation disease areas that are aligned with Metaphore’s unique platform capabilities, clinical unmet needs and scientific innovation.
• Develop and lead research strategy with expertise in in vitro immune cell assays, designing and interpreting in vivo models of autoimmunity and inflammation, including murine disease models and humanized systems, biomarker discovery, and immunoassay development.
• Drive the advancement of therapeutic candidates from discovery through late-stage preclinical development, with full accountability for achieving high-quality, timely results.
• Provide strategic and scientific leadership across programs, demonstrating flexibility and sound judgment in the face of new data, shifting priorities, or resource constraints.
• Serve as a cross-functional program lead, guiding interdisciplinary teams of computational scientists, protein engineers, and translational scientists toward shared goals.
• Communicate program goals, progress, and key decisions clearly across audiences, from scientists to executives, tailoring messaging with clarity and intention.
• Build and manage budgets, thoughtfully allocating in-house and external resources to maximize impact while remaining cost-conscious and efficient.
• Serve as a trusted, people-first leader fostering a collaborative, psychologically safe team environment that supports the scientific and personal development of team members.
• Lead with authenticity and transparency, encouraging open dialogue, surfacing diverse perspectives, and engaging in courageous conversations when needed.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS in immunology, metabolic biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in industry, including leadership roles within immunology/metabolic disease-focused programs.
• Expertise in innate and adaptive immune pathways, with emphasis on mechanisms underlying autoimmune and inflammatory diseases along with strong grounding in immune cell biology, cytokine signaling, tolerance mechanisms, and immunopathology.
• Track record of developing biologics, therapeutic antibodies, or other protein-based therapeutics in the context of autoimmune, metabolic and inflammatory diseases.
• Demonstrated success as a team-oriented leader who motivates others and builds strong, trust-based relationships across functions.
• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional programs balancing scientific vision with disciplined execution and strategic resource management.
• Track record of intellectual agility and curiosity, with an ability to adapt quickly, think critically, and lead through ambiguity.
• Strong emotional intelligence, with demonstrated maturity in navigating interpersonal dynamics, providing feedback, and supporting the growth of PhD and non-PhD scientists.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with a consistent ability to convey complex ideas clearly and succinctly to diverse stakeholders.
• A people-first, enterprise-minded approach that uplifts others, builds cohesion, and drives a culture of collaboration and accountability.

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background. 

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.