Senior Director of Metabolic and Inflammatory Diseases

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 actively seeking a talented and highly motivated senior leader to join the Preclinical Research and Development team. The successful candidate will be instrumental in defining and developing therapeutics leveraging Metaphore's platform, as well as leading programs from discovery through late preclinical development. This role requires deep scientific and strategic experience in metabolic/obesity and inflammatory diseases, with a strong preference for expertise in GPCR biology and biologic therapeutics.

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, and enabling others to do their best work, all while communicating with clarity and empathy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a high-performing metabolic and inflammatory-focused research group, setting the scientific strategy and vision in alignment with Metaphore's platform capabilities and long-term goals.
• Serve as a trusted, people-first leader-fostering a collaborative, psychologically safe team environment that supports the scientific and personal development of team members.
• 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.
• Actively contribute to portfolio shaping-identifying novel therapeutic opportunities by integrating clinical need, platform strength, and scientific innovation.
• 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.
• Lead with authenticity and transparency, encouraging open dialogue, surfacing diverse perspectives, and engaging in courageous conversations when needed.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS in metabolic biology, biochemistry, immunology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in industry, including leadership roles within metabolic disease-focused programs.
• Demonstrated success as a team-oriented leader who motivates others and builds strong, trust-based relationships across functions.
• Expertise in the discovery and development of large molecule/biologic therapeutics, ideally in the context of metabolic or inflammatory disorders.
• Working knowledge of GPCR biology required; experience applying this in the context of biologics is preferred, though relevant small molecule experience is also valued.
• 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.