Vice President, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

Orchard Therapeutics

Orchard Therapeutics

Marketing & Communications
Boston, MA, USA
Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Location: Boston, US

Reporting to: President & Chief Operating Officer

Job Summary

Orchard Therapeutics seeks a creative and highly motivated Vice President of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations to work with the executive team, as a key cross-functional leader in the organization. This person will serve as the team lead on high-priority internal and external communications, public relations, media relations and investor relations initiatives. The successful candidate will have an excellent track-record of successful engagement with high-profile biotech, industry, scientific and financial media as well as key stakeholders on Wall Street (e.g. investment bankers, research analysts, investors, etc.). He/she should possess strong writing skills with the ability to convey highly scientific/technical information for various audiences. Working knowledge of biotech industry, financial and scientific communications and hands-on media and investor relations experience is required. He/she should be savvy in leading the details and logistics of communication initiatives involving executive team members and media. He/she is an energetic, detail-oriented team player with excellent organization skills and a can-do attitude who has a demonstrated ability and comfort level performing within a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. The position is based in Boston, Mass. and will report to the President & Chief Operating Officer.

Key elements and responsibilities

  • Own the “Orchard brand” and corporate reputation for all stakeholders, establishing our key messaging and building advocacy, both internal and external in support of our mission/vision.
  • Develop and execute cohesive and proactive media and investor relations strategy to raise visibility of the company, its science and products and key leadership, working closely with other members of the IR and Corporate Affairs leadership.
  • Manage the overall department responsible for internal and external messaging. Oversee the messaging and ensure an efficient review process for all news announcements and internal/external communications, managing consistency of messages and disclosure.
  • Create an investor relations program that positions our scientific and technology platform as an industry leader.
  • Along with the Director of Corporate Communications, lead coordination of media interactions, ensuring spokespeople are carefully prepared and equipped with appropriate messaging and understanding of disclosure strategy.
  • Raise the visibility of Orchard within the investment community, ensuring corporate milestones and value creation opportunities are well understood by investors, analysts and other investment community audiences.
  • Manage efforts to update and refresh corporate messaging; Regularly revisit and, as necessary, refine key messages, corporate presentations, Q&A materials to ensure accuracy and reflect corporate messaging.
  • Manage an active thought leadership calendar, including investor conferences, non-deal roadshows, advocacy conferences and industry events; ensure executive presentations, stakeholder events and related activities are aligned with Orchard’s overall messaging platform.
  • Ensure the corporate website and other corporate properties/channels are kept current and responsive to stakeholder needs.
  • Liaise with marketing, medical and commercial colleagues to drive disease awareness and product PR initiatives; serve as main point of contact with commercial, marketing and medical affairs on message alignment activities.
  • Manage internal (employees) and external (agencies and consultants) to support our communications strategy and ensure pull through of messaging.
  • Work with human resources to execute internal communications that reinforce our corporate values.

Required knowledge

  • Extensive communications experience, including managing a department, with demonstrated success in leading media and investor outreach campaigns.
  • Global experience working with teams in various countries to adapt our messaging to local markets.
  • Demonstrated deep understanding of and engagement with biotech, scientific and financial media and investors, including relationships with relevant health and business reporters and the investment community.
  • Experience at expertly managing sensitive situations, crisis communications and issues impacting reputation.
  • Excellent business judgment when making decisions; always considers the relevance/impact of each decision on the business; excellent budget management and organization skills essential.
  • Strong executive presence and outstanding interpersonal skills; ability to successfully influence without authority and effectively work across functions.
  • Public biotech company and rare disease experience strongly preferred.
  • Travel up to 25%.

Skills and Abilities

  • Excellent leadership and management skills; strives to achieve excellence and continuous improvement and ongoing learning and professional development of the team.
  • Superior written and oral presentation skills and adept at meeting facilitation.
  • Excellent project management abilities, follow-through, attention to detail and high sense of urgency.
  • Flexible and able to successfully navigate ambiguity and succeed in a rapidly changing, fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with multiple priorities
  • Ability to work well under pressure and enjoys a fast-paced, often unpredictable environment.
  • High energy, motivated and aggressive about getting results and growing our company every day.

Education

  • BA/BS in Communications (or relevant field)

Orchard is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize and celebrate the diverse culture of our workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our employees. We fully support the principle of Equality and Diversity in employment and oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination. We assess all applications on basis of job requirements and individual qualifications.

We work within the requirements of all current legislation and we implement the provisions of regulatory codes of practice in employment.

Notice to All Applicants: Orchard Therapeutics participates in E-Verify