Director, Corporate Operational Excellence

Were here for one reason and one reason only to cure cancer. Every moment is dedicated to developing treatments and every action moves us one step closer to our goal. Weve made incredible scientific breakthroughs and our pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies have changed the paradigm. But were not finished yet.

Join Kite as we make even bigger advances in cancer therapies and help shape where our business and medical science goes next.

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 Kite and help create more tomorrows.

We are seeking a strategic enterprise-minded leader to serve as Director Corporate Operational Excellence. This role is responsible for proactively identifying shaping and leading enterprise-wide initiatives that improve operational efficiency effectiveness and organizational performance.

The Director will partner closely with senior leadership including the CEO Staff Corporate Strategy and Enterprise Planning to translate strategic priorities into scalable high-impact programs that strengthen Kites core business and accelerate innovation.

This individual will operate at both a strategic and executional level leading complex cross-functional initiatives driving large-scale transformation and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the organization. The role requires a strong ability to anticipate business needs diagnose root causes and mobilize the organization around data-driven solutions.

This position is based at Kites global headquarters in either Foster City CA or Santa Monica CA and reports to the Head of Corporate Operational Excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategy & Operational Excellence

• Proactively identify enterprise-wide opportunities to improve operational efficiency effectiveness and scalability leveraging data benchmarking and deep business insight
• Translate corporate strategic priorities into actionable cross-functional programs and initiatives that drive measurable business outcomes
• Serve as a thought partner to senior leadership to shape prioritize and sequence initiatives aligned to Kites strategic roadmap

Leadership of Cross-Functional Corporate Initiatives

• Lead and oversee large complex enterprise initiatives spanning Research Development Tech Ops Commercial and Corporate functions
• Drive alignment across senior stakeholders ensuring clarity in objectives roles governance and decision-making
• Influence without authority to mobilize cross-functional teams and deliver results at scale

Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and embed repeatable frameworks for continuous operational improvement including identification prioritization and execution of initiatives
• Diagnose organizational inefficiencies and performance gaps and design interventions that unlock productivity reduce cycle time and enhance quality
• Drive change management strategies to enable adoption and sustain impact

Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead end-to-end program delivery from problem framing and analytics through execution and value realization
• Ensure rigorous program governance including KPIs milestone tracking and risk management
• Drive accountability for outcomes and ensure initiatives deliver measurable and sustained impact

Data Insights & Decision Support

• Leverage data and analytics to identify opportunities inform decision-making and track performance
• Develop and monitor KPIs and executive dashboards to assess program effectiveness and organizational health
• Incorporate external benchmarking and best practices to continuously elevate Kites operating model

M&A Integration & Enterprise Programs

• Lead or support integration and separation efforts related to mergers and acquisitions including oversight of transition service agreements
• Ensure seamless execution of integration initiatives aligned with enterprise priorities and timelines

Basic Qualifications

• PhD with 10 years of relevant experience
• OR
• MS/MA with 12 years of relevant experience
• OR
• BS/BA with 14 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large-scale cross-functional corporate initiatives from strategy through execution
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and drive operational efficiency and effectiveness improvements at an enterprise level
• Deep understanding of biopharma operations including drug development and commercialization
• Strong executive presence with experience partnering with senior leadership and influencing decisions
• Track record of leading complex programs with measurable business impact
• Exceptional analytical problem-solving and structured thinking capabilities
• Strategic enterprise mindset with the ability to connect long-term vision to near-term execution
• Strong ability to navigate ambiguity prioritize effectively and drive outcomes in a fast-paced environment
• Outstanding stakeholder management and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization
• Experience establishing operational excellence frameworks governance models and performance systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience synthesizing complex topics for executive audiences
• Ability to lead through influence inspire teams and drive accountability without direct authority
• International and cross-market experience preferred

The salary range for this position is: $226185.00 - $292710.00. Kite 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:

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

Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune systems ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica CA. For more information on Kite please visit . Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at jobs in the United States:

Kite Pharma 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 disabilitygenetic 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 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 for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections please view theKnow Your Rights poster.

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

Kite Pharma 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.

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

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.