Chief of Staff to Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

Who We Are

Vial is a hyper-scalable biotech company advancing programs into the clinic by leveraging dramatically cheaper trials and computationally designed therapeutics.

Our mission is to reimagine drug development in order to cure all human diseases. We have assembled a talented team of clinical operators, chemists, and innovative thinkers to achieve this vision.

Vial is based in San Francisco, California, and was founded by Simon Burns in October 2020. Since our founding, we have grown rapidly to a team of 100+ employees with over $100 million in funding from leading investors including General Catalyst, Box Group, and Byers Capital.

Vial is rebuilding the infrastructure to advance research. By deploying technology at every step, we are creating a more efficient future for drug discovery.

Position Overview

The Chief of Staff will provide critical support for Vial’s overarching effort to advance policy changes that accelerate lower-cost drug discovery and cures, ensuring Vial remains at the forefront of a more efficient, equitable, and globally competitive U.S. drug development ecosystem. Placed within the growing Corporate Affairs team and reporting to senior leadership, you will conduct policy research, track relevant legislative and regulatory developments, and help develop materials that articulate Vial’s positions in a fast-paced startup environment.

This role is designed to be cross-functional and rotational — with an emphasis on growing you into being able to execute at a senior level across one or more of the Corporate Affairs functions.

What You’ll Bring

Research & Analysis - Monitor legislative, regulatory, and industry trends related to affordable drug development. - Synthesize data to guide internal discussions on how to protect Vial’s interests and support more equitable, competitive U.S. drug development.

Policy Development & Documentation - Draft policy briefs, position statements, and other materials that clearly communicate Vial’s stance on core issues. - Contribute to stakeholder-facing resources that showcase Vial’s commitment to lowering drug discovery costs and accelerating cures.

Cross-Functional Collaboration - Coordinate with Federal Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, and External Affairs teams on shared policy priorities and projects. - Facilitate alignment between policy insights and corporate initiatives, ensuring consistency and impact.

Stakeholder Engagement Support - Assist in preparing materials for meetings with policymakers, advocacy groups, and industry associations. - Help organize events and roundtables that advance Vial’s vision for a more cost-effective and timely drug development process.

Administrative & Project Assistance - Manage timelines, deliverables, and logistics for policy-related projects. - Maintain databases of key contacts and communications, ensuring all policy initiatives are well-documented.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in policy research, government affairs, consulting, or any field you believe to be applicable or transferrable.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to condense complex information into accessible formats.
• Interest in healthcare policy, especially as it relates to lowering drug costs and speeding up the development of cures.
• Excellent organizational and communication abilities; comfortable working in a rapidly changing environment.

Why You’ll Love Working At Vial

Innate curiosity.

At our core, we embody an insatiable curiosity. Our journey into the realm of clinical trials was ignited by a firsthand understanding of the challenges involved. This innate curiosity drives us to constantly innovate, seek fresh ideas, and bring our vision of reimagining clinical trials to life.

Fostering autonomy.

Autonomy is our guiding principle. We firmly believe that when team members are entrusted with autonomy, they unleash their true potential. Our culture fosters an environment where each individual takes ownership of their domain, empowering them to make a profound impact.

The pursuit of mastery.

We are dedicated to cultivating mastery. We understand the value of honing expertise in a craft. The pursuit of mastery, coupled with a deep sense of pride in one's workmanship, fuels our unwavering commitment to tackle intricate challenges. At Vial, we foster a culture of highly autonomous professionals, each an expert in their field, collaborating on an immensely demanding endeavor together.

Move fast, stay humble.

Our strength lies in agility and humility. We firmly believe that intellectual honesty and a nimble mindset are the pillars of success. By staying adaptable and open-minded to all solutions, we tackle obstacles head-on, remaining humble in the face of adversity. This enables us to surmount the hurdles that confront us at every twist and turn.

Benefits

• Competitive Equity Compensation
• Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Retirement Savings Plan with Company Matching after 90 Days of Employment
• One time, Remote Office Setup Stipend
• Paid Parental Leave
• Remote-First, Flexible Work Schedule
• Observed US & Canada Holidays
• Unlimited Vacation

We prioritize candidate safety. Please be aware that official communication will only be sent from '@vial.com' or '@tryvial.careers' addresses. Vial is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.