Senior Vice President, Immunology Waltham, MAXilio Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing tumor-activated immuno-oncology therapies with the goal of significantly improving outcomes for people living with cancer without the systemic side effects of current I-O treatments. The company is using its proprietary platform to advance a pipeline of novel, tumor-activated clinical and preclinical I-O molecules that are designed to optimize the therapeutic index by localizing anti-tumor activity within the tumor microenvironment. The Senior Vice President, Immunology will lead the strategy and execution of immunology and immuno-oncology research at Xilio, working collaboratively with colleagues across the company and with outside partners to advance the company's pipeline of tumor-activated I-O molecules and to extend the platform's reach into adjacent immunology applications. The role spans target identification and validation, candidate profiling in complex immunology assays and translational immunology — from early discovery through IND-enabling activities and into clinical development support. This is a highly visible role with important leadership responsibilities extending beyond management of the immunology function, including oversight of external collaboration programs, business development and KOL engagement. The high performing professional who fills this position must bring deep scientific expertise in immunology, a track record of leading drug discovery programs to the clinic, and the judgment to set scientific priorities in a fast-paced, resource-disciplined environment. The role requires someone who can immediately contribute to ongoing programs while also shaping where the immunology function and the platform go next. The Senior Vice President must engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company and do so as an effective communicator, collaborator, and developer of scientific talent. The position will report to Xilio's Chief Scientific Officer and join a talented and experienced research and development organization. He/She/They will work closely with colleagues across research, translational science, clinical development, CMC, and regulatory, as well as with an extended network of external academic collaborators, key opinion leaders, consultants, and CROs. Additionally, the Senior Vice President, Immunology will be responsible for hiring and developing additional immunology talent as the function grows.
Job Responsibilities
I-O/Immunology Research Strategy:
Leads the I-O/immunology research strategy across the Xilio portfolio, ensuring that program priorities, target selection, and experimental approaches align with company strategy and the differentiated potential of the tumor-activated platform. Brings forward novel scientific approaches, target hypotheses, and program concepts, including opportunities to extend the platform into adjacent immunology applications where conditional-activation may create therapeutic window advantages. Monitors and anticipates scientific and competitive trends in immunology and oncology to inform program strategy and identify emerging opportunities in a timely manner. Ensures stakeholders are apprised of scientific developments that may impact program success, exercising sound judgment and communicating in a professional and timely manner. Anticipates and manages scientific risk.
Discovery, Preclinical, and Translational Science:
Oversees target identification and validation, development and execution of complex immunology assays, as well as translational immunology, ensuring scientific rigor and best practices across the discovery portfolio. Partners closely with Biologics, Drug Discovery, Translational Sciences and Non-Clinical Development to facilitate efficient progression of programs from discovery to development candidate selection and IND.Leveraging their immunology expertise, provides guidance on the design and interpretation of preclinical pharmacology, including target engagement, mechanism, and functional biomarker strategies that inform candidate selection, dose, and clinical translation. Collaborates effectively with translational science and clinical development to develop translational plans for discovery-stage programs, including biomarker strategies, patient selection hypotheses, and indication prioritization. Ensures timely and high-quality scientific contributions to IND-enabling packages and regulatory filings, working closely with CMC, non-clinical development, and regulatory functions.
Portfolio Contribution and Program Planning:
As part of the Research Leadership Team, contributes scientific input to Xilio's integrated research portfolio view, including go/no-go recommendations, stage-gate tradeoffs, resource considerations, and the articulation of opportunity cost across programs. Authors and stewards robust project plans for new and ongoing immunology programs, including target rationale, technical requirements, resource plans, and operational expectations to facilitate efficient program starts and stage-gate transitions. Partners with research leadership to shape portfolio decisions, including prioritization and allocation of internal and external resources across discovery and preclinical programs.
External Innovation and Partnerships:
Serves as a senior scientific representative of the company with current and prospective partners, supporting the scientific execution of research collaborations and licensing agreements. Identifies, evaluates, and contributes to the diligence of in-licensing, acquisition, collaboration, and academic partnership opportunities that strengthen Xilio's pipeline and platform. Builds and maintains an effective external network of key opinion leaders, academic collaborators, and CRO and service partners to extend the reach and capabilities of the internal team. Represents Xilio's science externally at scientific meetings, advisory boards, investor events, and partner interactions as appropriate.
Team Leadership and People Development:
Builds, leads, and develops a high-performing immunology team consisting of a blend of internal scientists and external resources, hiring against current and anticipated program needs.
Sets clear scientific direction, decision rights, and performance expectations; coaches and mentors team members and creates growth opportunities for high-potential scientists.
Partners across the research organization to enable effective matrix execution with drug discovery, biologics, translational science, and CMC colleagues.
Role models respect, allyship, and inclusion, creating a culture that fosters innovation and upholds Xilio values.
Function Leadership and Budget:
Manages the immunology function's budget within financial goals; reviews and approves invoices against approved budget.
Aligns functional growth (e.g., hiring, outsourcing, capabilities) with company growth and changes consistent with guidance from Xilio leadership.
Communicates progress, risks, and key decisions clearly and proactively to the Chief Scientific Officer, research leadership, and the broader executive team.
Key Competencies:
Immunology and Immuno-oncology Scientific DepthDeep, academically rooted expertise in immunology, spanning innate and adaptive immunity, T cell biology, and immune regulation in disease.
Substantive industry experience in both immunology and immuno-oncology drug discovery and development.
Ability to translate immunology principles into immuno-oncology mechanism, target selection, and translational strategy.
Biologics Drug Discovery:
General familiarity with the biologics drug discovery workflow, from target identification through development candidate selection and IND.Understanding of IND-enabling documentation and the operational requirements of regulatory filings. Knowledge of the oncology and immunology biologics competitive landscape, or evidence of rapidly generating that proficiency in a prior setting.
Leadership:
Situational leadership — demonstrated capacity to adapt style and level of detail to the audience, from bench scientists to the executive leadership team and board of directors.
Track record of building and developing high-performing, cross-functional research teams, including recruiting at senior levels.
Effective operator in a matrix environment, capable of driving execution across functional boundaries and earning credibility through contribution.
Passion for innovation and mission-driven science.
Executive Presence:- Clear, composed communicator, able to present effectively to executive leadership, current and prospective partners, key opinion leaders, and investors.
- Capacity to balance technical excellence against a resource-constrained environment, ideally with awareness of both small biotechnology and large pharmaceutical operating models.
- Sound judgment on portfolio-level tradeoffs and opportunity cost, with the ability to frame decisions clearly for executive audiences.
- Credible external face for Xilio science with the scientific, partner, and investment communities.
- Skills, Qualifications, and Requirements:
- PhD or MD/PhD in immunology, with post-graduate training at leading institutions.
- At least 15 years of experience in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry post-PhD, with a distinguished record of progressive scientific leadership. Experience at the Vice President level or above is required.
- Experience spanning both small biotechnology and large pharmaceutical operating environments is preferred.
- Demonstrated track record of leading drug discovery programs from target identification through IND, with multiple molecules advanced into clinical development as a scientific or program leader.
