Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

Overview

Work at ROCKET PHARMA and help cure rare diseases!

 

Rocket Pharma is a fully integrated, clinical-stage company advancing gene therapies with curative potential for multiple rare childhood diseases. Rocket places enormous value on people and considers team member progress and well-being to be as important as the progress of its pipeline. We are looking for hands-on team players who enjoy collaborating with colleagues. We share a passion for seeking gene therapy cures for devastating diseases and making a difference for patients. This is an opportunity to become an integral part of a small, highly productive team and to help grow an entrepreneurial, scientifically driven organization that is increasingly recognized as a leading biotechnology innovator. In addition to a competitive compensation package featuring a generous 401K match and stock options, the position includes excellent health benefits.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be responsible for developing and overseeing the execution of a strategic investor relations and communications strategy to convey the company’s progress and position to the general public, including the investment community. The candidate will leverage a strong understanding of the investment community, including buy-side and sell-side areas of focus and methods for assessing company value, and they will collaborate with executive leadership to advance engagement with the sell-side. Reporting directly to the CFO, this person will be responsible for driving transparent and effective communication with shareholders, analysts, and the broader financial community. They will also lead efforts to ensure consistent and compelling messaging across all external-facing channels.

Responsibilities

Investor Relations:

• Lead and develop a best-in-class investor relations function that aligns with company strategy.
• Establish relationships on Buyside and Sellside, as well as proactively leading efforts to maintain a high level of visibility for the company through Non- deal Roadshows as well as investor relation led efforts.
• Oversee development of all strategic communications directed to the investment community related to corporate and product milestones, quarterly financial results, annual reports, and other disclosures, including press releases, teleconference scripts, slides, and Q&As.
• Develop and maintain the corporate presentation, concisely synthesizing business strategy and progress in alignment with company goals.
• Manage interactions and communications with existing and potential shareholders as well as sell-side analysts; be intuitive and responsive to investor and analyst information needs in compliance with company policies and securities regulations.
• Routinely track and analyze sell-side models, with routine engagement and input from the finance team; assess implications for communication and engagement.
• Track and analyze shareholder ownership positions, with routine engagement and input from the NASDAQ service team; assess implications for communication and engagement.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to advance engagement with sell-side analysts to achieve coverage that recognizes portfolio value and sophistication and aligns with the corporate growth trajectory.
• Conduct targeted outreach to the financial community through planning and organizing conferences, non-deal roadshows, quarterly updates, and Analyst Day.
• Collaborate closely with corporate communications and other cross-functional partners to maintain consistent external messaging.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to synthesize business intelligence, including real-time insights and analysis of analyst research, investor sentiment, competitor activity, and effectively prepare executive leadership and other internal stakeholders for investor interactions.
• Work with senior cross-functional leaders across the organization to share market intelligence and investor perceptions of the company’s performance.
• Partner with the legal team to develop securities filings and other disclosures and help ensure compliance with company policies and securities regulations, including Reg FD, across corporate communications and investor and analyst interactions.
• Support the development and execution of the company’s financing strategy; oversee the routine analysis of the shareholder base, refinement of investor targeting strategy and insights reporting to executive leadership.
• Supervise external investor relations firm and deliverables.

Corporate Communications:

• Oversee development of the global corporate media relations and thought leadership strategy and standards tied to all pillars of reputation
• Lead the development of a comprehensive corporate communications strategy that aligns with the company's brand and business objectives.
• Serve as a company spokesperson, ensuring consistent and compelling messaging across all external channels, including press releases, social media, website, and other communications materials.
• Proactively identify and manage potential reputational risks and develop crisis communication strategies when needed.
• Oversee creation of value and access communications strategies as Rocket develops late-stage assets and plans its transition to commercial stage.
• Cultivate relationships with key media contacts, both within the biotech and healthcare sectors, as well as broader business and financial press to identify placement opportunities for Rocket and ultimately advance corporate reputation.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of press releases, media kits, and other materials to ensure accurate representation of the company in the media.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree is preferred; 12-15 years of experience in investor relations or equity research experience within or covering biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies is required.
• 5-10 years of experience in Corporate Communications
• Experience working in commercial-stage companies preferred
• Ability to digest, communicate, and respond to questions about complex scientific and clinical data from sophisticated investment community stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional partners to develop impactful communications and meaningfully advance corporate and program strategy.
• Existing healthcare/financial media relationships and deep understanding of the healthcare space required
• Successful track record implementing strategic media plans and placing stories in key media outlets required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate a clear and compelling narrative.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis communication and issues management.
• Leadership experience, including managing a team and working collaboratively with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of regulatory compliance and reporting requirements for publicly traded companies.

Compensation

Salary range fof New York hires - $274,000 to $330,000. At Rocket, our compensation philosophy and ranges are built upon data and insights collected from validated world-class providers. We are committed to compensating employees equitably based on several factors, including responsibilities and level of the position, depth and types of the employee’s experience, location of the position and availability of similar talent in a competitive market.

EEO Statement

A diverse workforce fosters innovation and strengthens Rocket’s business. We ensure equal opportunity without discrimination or harassment in the workplace on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, citizenship, status as a protected veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws.