Senior Director, Project Management Group Lead - Foster City, CA

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.
 

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.
 

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description
 

At Gilead our pursuit of a healthier world for all people has yielded a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary improvements in HIV treatment and prevention as well as advancements in therapies for viral and inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.

We set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world’s most devastating diseases, united in our commitment to confronting the largest public health challenges of our day and improving the lives of patients for generations to come. As a Senior Director, Project Management Group Lead, at Gilead you will ...

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Executive Director of Product & Project Management, the Senior Director, Project Management Group Lead, operates within the Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing (PDM) organization and leads a team of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) project management professionals. This team partners closely with PDM Product Strategy Leads to advance a diverse portfolio of small molecules and biologics across all phases of product development and commercialization with respect to CMC activities.

This role requires deep expertise across end-to-end drug development, with strength in CMC project management. The Senior Director serves as a subject matter expert across lifecycle stages and enables seamless program transitions from early development through commercialization.

In addition to product-facing responsibilities, this role entails managing key non-product initiatives, as well as overseeing Director-level PMs leading such non-product work.

FOCUS AREAS

• Provide leadership and oversight for CMC project management across the entire product lifecycle, including development, early-phase, late-phase and commercialization, and commercial manufacturing

• Align CMC strategies and timelines with clinical, regulatory, and commercial objectives

• Drive risk identification, mitigation, and operational readiness for manufacturing and supply

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of project managers supporting Product Strategy Leads and cross-functional teams

• Support key non-product projects as a project manager and oversee Director-level team members working on such initiatives

• Partner with Product Strategy Leads to develop, align, and execute integrated product strategies

• Support implementation and continuous improvement of Planisware and standardized planning tools

• Use and provide feedback on a set of templated tools and processes for the PDM Team System

• Partner with Product Teams and Finance on budget planning and tracking

• Integrating emerging AI and digital technologies into project management practices

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

BS/BA with 14+ Years of experience

OR

MS/MA or MBA with 12+ Years of experience

OR

PhD/PharmD with 12+ Years of experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant experience in CMC project management, including manufacturing, scale-up, validation, and tech transfer across product lifecycles

• Strong understanding of drug development, commercialization, and lifecycle management

• Expertise in project management fundamentals: scope, timelines, risk, and resource management

• Familiarity with portfolio planning tools (e.g., Planisware) and budgeting

• Proficiency in applying AI tools and digital platforms to project management methodologies

• Ability to translate insights into actionable strategies and operational improvements

• Exceptional people leadership and team development skills

• Strong influencing and stakeholder management in a matrixed environment

• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills

• Ability to synthesize complex scientific and business information

• Executive presence and strategic mindset

• Ability to lead without authority and influence across functions

• Collaborative, results-oriented, and accountable

• Commitment to building and developing high-performing teams

People Leader Accountabilities:

•Create Inclusion - knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the

way they manage their teams.

•Develop Talent - understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current

performance and future potential. They ensure employees are receiving the feedback and insight needed to grow, develop and

realize their purpose.

•Empower Teams - connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizational objectives, and holding

them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem.

 

The salary range for this position is: $243,100.00 - $314,600.00. Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

For jobs in the United States:

Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Gilead Sciences will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the  legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.
 

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.

Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.