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Executive Director, Head of Translational Medicine, Cellular Therapy / Immuno-Oncology

Employer
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Location
Santa Monica, CA
Closing date
Nov 29, 2021
Executive Director, Head of Translational Medicine, Cellular Therapy / Immuno-Oncology
Kite is continuing to hire for all open roles. Our interview process may be conducted virtually and some roles will be asked to temporarily work from home. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be implementing a phased approach to bringing employees back to site to ensure the health and safety of our teams.

For Current Kite Pharma Employees and Contractors:
The Executive Director leads the translational medicine activities (both clinical pharmacology and bed-to-bench translational activities) across all cellular therapy programs (oncology and non-oncology indications) from early development through registration including post-approval commitments, executed in the US and internationally. The position will report into the Global Head of Research, Cell Therapy, and works closely with the management of cell therapy business including Research, Clinical Development, Technical Operations, Regulatory and Medical Affairs, to drive and support the development of the cell therapy portfolio.

Responsibilities
  • Managing an expanding team of translational scientists, director level managers, and technicians that work cross functionally to execute activities comprising pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, predictive and safety biomarkers research, in vitro diagnostics development, product immunogenicity and other activities required for development and approval of cell therapies
  • Lead activities that inform on the mechanisms of product and treatment failure, as well as the pathogenesis of treatment related toxicities, leading to approaches to enhance the benefit / risk profile of immune cell products
  • The team led by the translational head will be also responsible for rapidly reacting in case of serious adverse events or other clinical related findings, that warrant generation of a data package and recommendation to clinical development and regulatory affairs
  • Ultimately responsible for the translational strategy in the organization, member of the senior leadership team, and participates to product portfolio management, scientific review process, corporate development activities including due diligence, publication strategy and advisory board meetings
  • Expanding and managing a network of performant contract research organizations and strategic translational collaborations with top tier academic organizations, supporting the objectives of the cell therapy business
  • Partners with Human Resources, Finances and other functions to build and develop the talent pool and manage a multimillion-dollar budget
  • Represents the cell therapy and overall organization at major external scientific events, and drives the translational publication process

Basic Qualifications

Advanced scientific degree (i.e. MD, PharmD, PhD) and 12+ years of research experience

OR

Master's Degree and 14+ years of research experience

OR

Bachelor's Degree and 16+ years of research experience

Preferred Qualifications
  • Dual Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent in biomedical sciences with strong focus in immunology
  • 20 years industry experience including R&D leadership track in organizations developing cell therapies in the immuno-oncology space
  • Deep familiarity with all stages of research and development of immune-oncology products, including aspects related to efficacy and toxicities of genetically engineered T cell therapies
  • Direct experience leading translational activities of genetically-engineered immune cell products (including immunopharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, biomarkers, in vitro diagnostics, immunogenicity, genotoxicity) across blood cancers and solid tumors, from early to late stage development including in GCP environment
  • Experience with successful design, qualification, validation of translational methods, and execution of required analysis for development as well as registration of immune cell therapy products
  • Experience with supporting post-marketing studies and life cycle management of immune cell based products, from translational standpoint
  • Experience with oversight of CROs and strong academic collaborations supporting translational programs, in vitro diagnostics, and product or assay technology transfer or in-licensing
  • Knowledgeable about state of the art bioanalytical methods including single cell analysis platforms evaluating immune cells, proteomic and genomic aspects of T cells and tumor microenvironment, major platform technologies utilized in immune-oncology including flow cytometry, ddPCR, multiplex ELISA, and a wide range of bioassays, non-clinical and preclinical models in immune-oncology space
  • Proven leadership background in dynamic matrix-based organizations that manage or support multiple immunotherapy programs, with track record in building highly functional teams and managing multimillion dollar budgets. Experience with managing through organizational growth and change (mergers acquisitions, IPOs). Previous C-level experience in immune-oncology companies (e.g. CSO, CMO or CTO).
  • Strategic leadership experience including product portfolio management, corporate development activities, partnerships, collaborations, scientific and management boards
  • Extensive relevant publication record including T cell therapy related (> 100 peer reviewed publications, abstracts, oral presentations, book chapters, monographs), issued patents and patent applications
  • Recognized profile nationally and internationally, with leadership and chairmanship activities in major organizations in the immune-oncology field (e.g. SITC, AACR, ASH, ASCO)


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 system's ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica, CA. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com . Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kitepharma .

For jobs in the United States:
As an equal opportunity employer, Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to a diverse workforce. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, 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 careers@gilead.com for assistance.

Following extensive monitoring, research, consideration of business implications and advice from internal and external experts, Kite has made the decision to require all U.S. employees and contractors to receive the COVID-19 vaccines as a condition of employment. "Full vaccination" is defined as two weeks after both doses of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks since a single-dose vaccine has been administered. Anyone unable to be vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or disability that prevents them from being vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'EEO is the Law' poster.

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 Kite Pharma Employees and Contractors:
Everyone at Kite is grounded by one common goal - curing cancer. Every day, we aim to establish a direct line between that purpose and our day-to-day work.

We are creating Kite together, with the recognition that the best teams are built by the best people. We maintain an attitude of curiosity, and creativity with each challenge as we develop a new market for cancer therapies. We appreciate and respect one another, and most importantly, we don't take success for granted.

While we've come a long way to make what others viewed as impossible, possible, we know one thing is certain. Today is just the beginning.

Following extensive monitoring, research, consideration of business implications and advice from internal and external experts, Kite has made the decision to require all U.S. employees and contractors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. The health of our employees, contractors, their loved ones, our partners and the communities and people we serve is a top priority. Vaccination is the most effective way currently available to deliver on that priority.

The purpose of the vaccination requirement is to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace and support the health and safety of our communities. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine has been administered. Anyone unable to be vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or disability that prevents them from being vaccinated, can request an accommodation.
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