Executive Director, Talent Management and HR Strategy

Overview

Opportunity awaits those up to the challenge of developing transformative therapies across a broad range of debilitating diseases. Apellis is seeking an experienced and enterprise-minded Executive Director, Talent Management & HR Strategy to serve as the architect of the company's integrated people strategy.

• Lead the creation and implementation of the enterprise HR and Talent Management strategy, aligned to business growth and workforce needs.
• Design and operationalize Apellis' Talent philosophy, including performance management, succession, and talent assessment frameworks.
• Own enterprise leadership development strategy and programs for Directors, Executive Directors, and the Senior Leadership Team, ensuring clear capability building tied to business priorities.
• Establish and govern talent processes that build clarity, transparency, and accountability across HR Business Partners and COEs.
• Partner with HR Business Partners to identify and develop critical capabilities and leadership strengths across business functions, using insights and data to guide decisions.
• Develop and maintain tools, templates, and guidance that enable HRBPs to drive strategic execution—not one-off solutions.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and People Experience to shape the enterprise onboarding experience strategy, ensuring clarity of purpose and leadership expectations.
• Lead Talent Management reporting and insights to drive workforce decisions, promotion governance, and succession depth conversations with Executive Leadership.
• Evaluate and manage strategic external partners and leadership development vendors.
• Serve as a culture advocate, reinforcing leadership accountability, performance expectations, and engagement standards across functions.
• Operate with an enterprise-first mindset, prioritizing what is best for the business and HR as a whole—not only their specialization.
• Build a symbiotic partnership with HR Business Partners, ensuring COE strategies are informed by the "voice of the business" and fully executable.
• Equip HRBPs with tools, frameworks, and governance that enable consistent and scalable execution.
• Demonstrate transparency, follow-through, and proactive communication to ensure alignment and trust across HR.

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred (HR, Organizational Psychology, Business, Leadership Development or related field).

• 15+ years progressive Talent Management and/or HR leadership experience.
• Experience leading Talent, Succession, Leadership Development, or HR Strategy functions in biotech, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, or a highly regulated science-driven organization.
• Demonstrated experience designing and deploying enterprise talent frameworks, governance structures, and leadership programs for Director-level and above.
• Proven ability to influence and partner with executive teams, translate business needs into strategy, and lead through data-driven insights.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to drive actionable alignment between HR strategy and business priorities.

• Strategic enterprise leader and systems thinker
• Proven architect of Talent and Leadership frameworks
• Exceptional communication, influence, and facilitation
• Assessment and succession planning expertise
• Leadership development design and vendor management
• Data-driven decision-making and governance discipline
• Drives culture, inclusion, and performance accountability

• Office based work environment
• 10% travel
• Hybrid work arrangement

Base salary for this role will consider multiple factors, including but not limited to, candidate qualifications, relevant expertise, specialized skills, and industry experience in complement-targeted therapies. The targeted base salary range for this position is $249,500-$374,200. This range represents the base salary only and reflects Apellis' commitment to competitive compensation within the biopharmaceutical industry. The final salary offered may vary based on individual qualifications, business needs, and current market conditions.

Apellis offers a…