About Stoke:
Stoke Therapeutics (Nasdaq: STOK) is a biotechnology company dedicated to restoring protein expression by harnessing the body’s potential with RNA medicine. Using Stoke’s proprietary approach, the company is developing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to selectively restore naturally occurring protein levels. Stoke’s first medicine in development, zorevunersen, has demonstrated the potential for disease modification in patients with Dravet syndrome and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 study. Stoke entered into a strategic collaboration with Biogen in 2025 to develop and commercialize zorevunersen for Dravet syndrome. Under the collaboration, Stoke retains exclusive rights for zorevunersen in the United States, Canada, and Mexico; Biogen receives exclusive rest of world commercialization rights
STK-002 is Stoke’s proprietary antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) in clinical development for the treatment of autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA), the most common inherited optic nerve disorder. STK-002 has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA. A Phase 1 study (OSPREY) of STK-002 in people with ADOA is now underway. The company is also conducting early research in Syngap1, a severe and rare neurodevelopmental disorder, in collaboration with Acadia Pharmaceuticals.
Stoke’s initial focus is on diseases of the central nervous system and the eye that are caused by a loss of ~50% of normal protein levels (haploinsufficiency). Proof of concept has been demonstrated in other organs, tissues, and systems, supporting broad potential for the Company’s proprietary approach.
Position Purpose:
The Director (or Senior Director), Human Resources will serve as the strategic HR business partner to Stoke’s growing
Commercial and
Medical Affairs organizations as the company builds toward launch readiness and future market expansion. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this role will provide leadership, strategic partnership, and hands-on support across all aspects of the people agenda for these functions, including Sales, Marketing, Market Access, Field Operations, and Medical Affairs.
This leader will partner closely with senior leaders across the organization—
including the Chief Patient Officer, SVP of Medical Affairs, and other members of the executive and functional leadership teams—to shape and implement the people strategy that enables Stoke’s success in transforming the lives of people with genetic diseases. The Director/Senior Director will play a pivotal role in building organizational capability, evolving field-based compensation and rewards practices, strengthening talent pipelines, and fostering a culture of accountability, agility, and collaboration. While the primary focus will be on the North America-based Commercial and Medical Affairs organizations, this role will also serve as the key
HR liaison to Stoke’s external partners supporting ex-U.S. regions and may flex to support other functions as business needs evolve.
The ideal candidate brings deep HRBP experience in biotech commercial and medical organizations, strong business acumen, exceptional project management skills,
excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to develop clear, compelling PowerPoint materials for leadership discussions, and a track record of building from the ground up in high-growth, mission-driven organizations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as strategic HR business partner to the U.S. Commercial and Medical Affairs leadership teams, providing counsel on organization design, leadership development, workforce planning, and capability build as Stoke prepares for launch.
- Partner with senior leaders to define and implement people strategies that accelerate commercial and medical readiness, ensure launch excellence, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration.
- Contribute to design and ongoing management of field-based compensation frameworks (led by comm ops), collaborating with Total Rewards, Finance, and Commercial Operations to ensure competitive, compliant, and performance-driving practices.
- Provide coaching and counsel to leaders at all levels on leadership effectiveness, organizational dynamics, and change management.
- Act as a project leader for key HR initiatives—applying strong project management discipline to design, lead, and implement scalable people practices (e.g., performance management, succession, leadership development, and talent planning).
- Leverage data and analytics to identify trends, anticipate business needs, and provide insights that drive decision-making related to talent, engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
- Build strong partnerships with HR team members to deliver integrated and impactful people solutions and programs aligned with business priorities.
- Serve as the HR liaison to Stoke’s global and ex-U.S. partners, ensuring alignment and collaboration on talent-related processes, practices, and communications.
- Champion progressive and innovative HR practices that enable Stoke’s culture of learning, transparency, and shared momentum.
- Lead and contribute to company-wide initiatives, ensuring alignment and connection across functions.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and role model, exemplifying Stoke’s values and leadership expectations.
Required Skills & Experience:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field.
- 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with significant HR Business Partner leadership supporting Commercial (Sales/Marketing/Access) and/or Medical Affairs functions in biotech or life sciences.
- Proven success supporting commercial and medical builds in the U.S., including design and implementation of field-based compensation structures.
- Experience leading organizational design, talent management, change management, and leadership development efforts in a high-growth or launch-phase environment.
- Exceptional business acumen and ability to build trust, credibility and influence with senior leaders.
- Demonstrated strength in project management—able to scope, plan, and execute cross-functional initiatives with precision and follow-through.
- Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office tools; able to translate complex ideas and data into executive-ready presentations and visual materials.
- Strong analytical mindset and comfort using data to drive insights and decisions.
- Manage complex employee relations issues ensuring compliance with State and Federal laws and company policies; Conduct effective, thorough, and objective investigations, as needed.
- Collaborative team player who embodies Stoke’s culture of partnership, tenacity, and shared momentum.
- Progressive, creative, and open-minded approach to people practices, with a drive for learning and high-performance.
Location(s):
Stoke is located in Bedford, MA, and will be moving to a new location in Waltham, MA by the end of 2026. This position is a hybrid position currently based in Bedford and will later be based in Waltham.
Travel:
This position will require approximately 5% travel.
Compensation & Benefits:
At Stoke Therapeutics, we are committed to offering a comprehensive, competitive and thoughtfully designed total rewards program.
The anticipated salary range for this role at the Director level is $208,000 - $242,00 and at the Senior Director level is $254,000 - $289,000. The final offer will be determined based on a variety of factors, including role scope, experience and qualifications, education, market benchmarks, internal equity, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, Stoke offers an annual bonus and equity participation.
Our benefits package includes medical, dental and vision insurance; life, long- and short-term disability insurance; paid parental leave; a 401K plan with company match, unlimited vacation time, tuition assistance and participation in our Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
Culture & Values:
At Stoke, we believe that innovation, the ability to successfully advance our ground-breaking science and having fun as a team are enhanced by being together in person, at least periodically. We allow for flexibility in work arrangements that balance individual’s needs and preferences with the needs of our business and our desire to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Our values guide our work to deliver meaningful medicines for people who need them. We are committed to being true to ourselves, to our colleagues, and to the people with severe diseases who are counting on us. We embrace diversity within a unique culture that is defined by our values. Our employee-led Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Committee underscores the importance of DIB to who we are and what we do.
Interested candidates: Please visit Stoke’s website to learn more and apply directly to the position listed on our Career Center:
https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/careers/
For more information, visit https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/.
All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, physical or mental disability or protected veteran status.
Stoke participates in E-Verify.
