About Us 

This position is based in Chicago and dedicated to supporting Prolaio a wholly owned subsidiary of Kardigan. 

Prolaio is a patient-centered clinical intelligence company dedicated to advancing today’s cardiology research and care with real-world patient data and insights. The company was created by cardiologists and cardiovascular scientists specifically to address the world’s number one cause of death cardiovascular disease. Its FDA-cleared software integrates real-world clinical data and proprietary algorithms to deliver outcome-driven insights to empower patients researchers physicians and product leaders. By combining scientific rigor with cutting-edge technology Prolaio aims to expedite clinical trials and improve patient outcomes across cardiology therapeutic areas. 

Job Overview 

The Prolaio Senior Director Marketing Communications will build and lead communications for a fast-growing business at the intersection of healthcare and technology. This role is responsible for shaping and executing an integrated communications strategy that increases awareness of Kardigan’s Prolaio platform supports business growth and brings clarity to how we tell our story - externally and internally - as we scale.

This leader will own external communications including proactive media relations that drive accurate credible coverage and internal communications that engage connect and “re-recruit” employees during a period of rapid growth and change. With a deep understanding of Prolaio’s platform technology business strategy and the MedTech ecosystem the Senior Director will partner closely with cross-functional leaders influence decisions beyond communications and help define how Prolaio shows up in the market. 

Based in our Chicago office this role reports to Kardigan’s Chief Communications Officer with a dotted line to the Prolaio General Manager. The Senior Director will work hands-on with Prolaio’s marketing engineering and product teams and across Kardigan’s communications organization to deliver clear consistent and compelling messaging across all channels and stakeholders. 

Core Responsibilities 

• Portfolio Strategy & Roadmap 
  • Lead future product/platform launch communications strategy developing and executing an integrated plan that leverages PR/earned media scientific publications conferences/congress programming and thought leadership to extend the reach and impact of the product story
  • Translate product roadmap + clinical evidence into clear credible storylines and external “moments” that support adoption and partnership growth.
  • Create and maintain an always-current portfolio messaging architecture (claims proof use cases differentiation FAQs) in coordination with product/clinical. 

• Scientific Communications & Congress Strategy
  • Lead communications planning to amplify clinical presentations data publications and conference presence (pre-briefs press angles onsite events speaker preparation booth/partner support post-congress follow-through embargo coordination where applicable)
  • Create a Prolaio communications roadmap grounded in landscape analysis to define where the company should be visible what it should be saying which audiences to target and how best to reach them. 

• Business Development Enablement
  • Enhance BD enablement efforts with the creation of durable communications tools (partner decks one-pagers proof-point summaries case studies “why Prolaio” narratives).
  • Partner with Marketing and Prolaio General Manager/Business Development to support priority partner motions (joint announcements co-marketing plans partner comms toolkits). 

• Earned Media / PR
  • Manage external agency (H+C) ensuring strategy timelines and deliverables align to portfolio priorities (vs. broad comms outputs).
  • Drive proactive earned media aligned to evo2/portfolio milestones (data releases partnerships platform advances).
  • Maintain media targets across clinical research digital health/MedTech and business press—with clear POVs and proof points. 

• Internal Communications
  • Define and execute internal communications cadence for Prolaio: leadership updates company meetings change comms culture engagement and “re-recruitment”.
  • Build internal narratives that reinforce priorities and reduce confusion during rapid shifts.

• Measurement & Operating Rhythm
  • Establish KPI framework tied to communications roadmap outcomes (share of voice in target outlets congress outputs publication amplification BD asset adoption partner enablement velocity).

• Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Partner closely with product engineering marketing and business teams to gather inputs align messaging and ensure technical accuracy.
  • Serve as a trusted communications advisor to senior leadership to support change communications company milestones and business updates.
  • Influence cross-functional peers and provide communications counsel on decisions beyond the function.
  • Support Kardigan Investor Relations with Prolaio-specific business updates and content as needed.
  • Contribute to broader Kardigan corporate communications initiatives and enterprise-level storytelling. 

• Leadership & Operations 
  • Manage external agencies and vendors to extend team capacity and execution. 
  • Build processes playbooks and measurement frameworks to scale communications effectively.
  • Hire and develop team members as the business and communications need grow. 
  • Consistently model Kardigan leadership culture and core values. 

Qualifications and Preferred Skills 

• 10-15 years of experience in corporate communications PR or strategic communications ideally in healthcare MedTech digital health or high-growth tech. 
• Proven track record building and scaling communications programs in fast-moving ambiguous environments. 
• Demonstrated experience supporting B2B growth and business development enablement (partner decks proof-point narratives co-marketing/partner announcements). 
• Strong media relations expertise with experience managing complex technical or data-driven narratives. 
• Ability to translate sophisticated technology and strategy into clear compelling stories. 
• Experience leading internal communications through growth and change with a focus on engagement and culture. 
• Highly collaborative operator with experience partnering across product engineering marketing and business teams. 
• Strategic thinker with hands-on execution skills - you can set the direction and do the work - and sound executive judgment. 
• Experience managing agencies; people leadership experience is a plus. 
• Bachelor’s degree required; specific to public relations journalism communications a plus.