Senior Brand Director, Obexelimab

Zenas is a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of transformative therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases. Our core business strategy combines our experienced leadership team with a disciplined product candidate acquisition approach to identify, acquire and develop product candidates globally that we believe can provide superior clinical benefits to patients living with autoimmune diseases. Zenas is advancing two late-stage, potential franchise molecules, obexelimab and orelabrutinib. Obexelimab, Zenas’ lead product candidate, is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb, which are broadly present across B cell lineage, to inhibit the activity of cells that are implicated in many autoimmune diseases without depleting them. We believe that obexelimab’s unique mechanism of action and self-administered, subcutaneous injection regimen may broadly and effectively address the pathogenic role of B cell lineage in chronic autoimmune disease. Orelabrutinib is a potentially best-in-class, highly selective CNS-penetrant, oral, small molecule Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor with the potential to address compartmentalized inflammation and disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Zenas’ earlier stage programs include ZB021, a clinical-stage, potentially best-in-class, oral, IL-17AA/AF inhibitor; ZB022, a preclinical, potentially best-in-class, oral, brain-penetrant, TYK2 inhibitor; and ZB014, a preclinical half-life extended anti-CD-19 and FcγRIIb monoclonal antibody.

We are seeking top talent who share our commitment to patients and have a track record of success in acquiring, developing and commercializing products across the globe. Our colleagues have an opportunity to engage in a fast-paced learning environment and experience individual and organizational success as we work towards becoming a global immunology and autoimmune disease leader, while living our values of Transparency, Relationships, Urgency, Excellence and Innovation – TRUE Innovation!

Position Summary:

Zenas is seeking a seasoned, dynamic commercial marketing leader with deep US market understanding and experience in immunology, inflammation and/or rare disease to own the obexelimab brand. Reporting to the VP, Head of Marketing, the Senior Brand Director, Obexelimab will serve as the brand lead for obexelimabs first anticipated commercial indication in IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD) — setting the strategic direction for brand positioning, messaging, customer segmentation across all audiences, market development, launch readiness and commercial execution.

As the brand owner for obexelimab in IgG4-RD, this leader will set the strategic vision for the brand and serve as the authoritative voice across the US Brand Team — driving alignment across all customer-facing functions including Marketing, Strategic Engagement, Sales, Market Access, Medical Affairs, Analytics, Patient Services, Legal, Regulatory and Compliance. The role demands a senior strategic marketer with the judgment to make and defend brand choices, the credibility to influence across functions, and the executional acumen to translate insight into focused plans, compelling messages and high-quality launch assets.

Key Responsibilities:

Brand Strategy & Launch Readiness

• Own the brand strategy for obexelimab in IgG4-RD across all customer audiences, including product positioning, messaging, market differentiation and core strategic choices — serving as the ultimate decision-maker and brand steward.


• Lead and represent Marketing on the Obexelimab US Brand Team, driving strategic alignment across brand, launch and all cross-functional workstreams and holding accountability for brand consistency and direction across audiences.


• Drive launch-readiness planning end-to-end, including milestone ownership, resource prioritization, launch governance and senior-leadership alignment on brand strategy and commercial investment.


• Translate market research, advisory board feedback, competitive intelligence and field insights into actionable brand strategies and tactical plans across customer segments.

Brand Messaging, Market Development & Customer Engagement

• Establish core brand messaging for the full customer base, including key specialists, KOLs, account-based stakeholders and patient/caregiver audiences, ensuring a consistent and compelling brand voice across all segments.


• Lead development of disease education and promotional materials for all customer audiences from concept through review and approval, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and regulatory requirements.


• Build the market development strategy, including congress, advisory board, speaker bureau and customer engagement priorities across HCP, patient and community audiences in partnership with Strategic Engagement and Medical Affairs.


• Partner with Sales and Training to ensure field teams are equipped with clear messages, useful tools and practical customer engagement resources.

Customer Segmentation, Channel Strategy & Insights

• Lead customer segmentation and targeting efforts across HCP, patient and payer audiences to optimize outreach, precision and impact across channels.


• Define the integrated channel strategy for all customer audiences in partnership with digital, analytics and agency partners, including modular content, channel planning and connected customer touchpoints.


• Use data and analytics to guide investment choices, refine customer strategy and optimize budget allocation across tactics and segments.


• Identify opportunities to strengthen HCP understanding of IgG4-RD and obexelimab's potential role through credible, compliant and customer-centered education.

Cross-Functional Leadership, Budget & Agency Management

• Ensure strong collaboration across Marketing, Sales, Access & Trade, Strategic Engagement, Analytics, Medical Affairs, Compliance, Legal, Regulatory and Patient Support Services.


• Lead agency partners to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget, with clear briefs, roles, timelines and expectations.


• Prioritize investment opportunities and secure budget alignment from senior leadership for strategic brand and commercial marketing initiatives.


• Champion cross-functional teamwork, urgency, continuous learning and high standards of execution consistent with Zenas' TRUE Innovation values.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in business, marketing or life sciences preferred.


• 12+ years of pharmaceutical or biotechnology marketing experience, including meaningful brand ownership across multiple customer audiences, strategic leadership and launch experience at the Director level or above.


• Deep understanding of US market dynamics, specialty pharmaceutical commercialization and cross-functional launch planning.


• Demonstrated success developing customer-centric marketing strategy, positioning, messaging and promotional/disease education assets.


• Experience leading customer segmentation and targeting across HCP, patient and/or payer audiences, integrated channel planning and insight-driven resource allocation.


• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority workstreams and meet tight deadlines.


• Executive-level communication, analytical and influencing skills, with a demonstrated track record of shaping commercial strategy and building alignment at senior levels across functions.


• Experience navigating MLR review processes and working closely with Legal, Regulatory, Compliance and Medical Affairs partners.


• Ability to travel up to approximately 30%, including national medical congresses, customer engagements, agency meetings and internal team meetings.

Preferred

• Immunology, inflammation and/or rare disease experience.


• Experience with rheumatology, gastroenterology, systemic autoimmune disease or B-cell mediated conditions.


• Brand, HCP, patient and/or account marketing experience across multiple customer audiences, brands or indications.


• Familiarity with modular content strategy, Veeva Vault PromoMats or equivalent platforms.


• Field experience or close partnership with customer-facing teams.

The position is eligible for a competitive compensation and benefits package.

Zenas is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base salary pay range for this role is $217,600 to $272,000.  Actual compensation packages will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to depth of experience, education, skillset, overall performance and/or location.

Zenas believes in providing a competitive compensation and benefits package to all employees. Our base salary is just one component of Zenas’ competitive total rewards strategy that also includes annual performance bonus, equity, full range of benefits and other incentive compensation plans.

Zenas BioPharma is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an environment where diversity is valued.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit, qualifications and the needs of the business.