Director, Quality Compliance and Audits

Biopharma Careers; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 191,000 - 272,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilead Sciences is seeking a Director, Quality Compliance and Audits to lead the global GMP/GDP audit program and develop a high-performing team across manufacturing and external partners. You will set strategy, oversee the annual audit plan, and ensure audits are independent, thorough, and compliant.

You will partner with cross-functional stakeholders to address risks, drive continuous improvement, and implement digital solutions to boost audit efficiency across the supply chain.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven GMP/GDP auditor with team leadership experience.
• Experience engaging with Health Authorities during inspections is desirable.
• Expert knowledge of GMP/GDP regulations and global regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop an auditing team with planning, performance reviews, and coaching.
• Define strategy and contribute to the Quality Compliance & Audits Leadership Team.
• Establish a risk-based annual audit plan and monitor regulatory trends.
• Perform and oversee GMP and GDP audits across multiple sites and partners.
• Ensure consistency in audit observations, findings, and documentation.
• Elevate compliance risks and drive timely resolutions with management.
• Evaluate AI tools and digital solutions to enhance the audit program.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to close gaps and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Biotech/pharma experience

GMP/GDP auditing

Regulatory engagement

Leadership & people management

Regulatory knowledge & interpretation

Education

BS/BA in Biology/Sciences

MS/MA in Biology/Sciences

Job description

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

The Director, Quality Compliance and Audits (QCA) reports to the Executive Director, Quality Compliance & Audits and provides strategic leadership and governance for Gilead’s global GMP and GDP audit program. This role leads and develops a team of auditors and ensures consistent, high‑quality audit execution across Gilead’s global manufacturing and supply network, including internal manufacturing facilities, external contract manufacturers, laboratories, suppliers, distributors, and other third‑party partners. The Director is accountable for oversight of the end‑to‑end audit lifecycle, including development and execution of the annual audit plan, and ensures audits are performed as systematic, independent, and objective assessments of compliance with global regulatory requirements, internal quality policies, and industry standards. The role partners closely with cross‑functional stakeholders to ensure compliance risks and systemic issues identified through audits are appropriately documented, escalated, trended, and resolved, while driving consistency, continuous improvement, and sustained quality oversight across Gilead’s global supply chain.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage and develop an auditing team, including work planning and prioritization, performance monitoring, coaching, feedback, and formal performance reviews.
• Foster a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement within the audit program.
• Serve as a member of the Quality Compliance & Audits Leadership Team helping to define strategy, deliver on business goals, and collaborate with other cross-functional teams across Gilead and Kite
• Establish and execute a risk‑based annual audit plan.
• Monitor regulatory requirements, enforcement trends, and inspection intelligence; assess potential impacts to Gilead’s manufacturing and supply network; and proactively incorporate these insights into risk‑based audit planning and coverage.
• Promote awareness of current regulatory expectations across clinical and commercial manufacturing platforms and incorporate identified trends into audit program strategy and focus.
• Conduct and support global GMP and GDP audits of Gilead internal manufacturing sites and external partners, including contract manufacturers, laboratories, suppliers, distributors, and other third parties, spanning multiple modalities including small molecules, biologics, and medical devices/combination products.
• Drive consistency and quality in audit observation writing, finding classification, risk assessment, and documentation.
• Identify, assess, and appropriately elevate compliance risks and systemic issues to management to support timely evaluation and resolution.
• Evaluate, govern, and implement the appropriate use of AI enabled tools and digital solutions to enhance audit effectiveness, consistency, and efficiency across the global audit program.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional stakeholders to identify compliance gaps, emerging risks, and opportunities for proactive compliance or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide expert guidance on the interpretation and application of new and existing regulatory requirements and advise audit team, management, and functional areas on complex compliance matters.
• Support the evaluation, development, and implementation of processes, procedures, tools, templates, and systems necessary to maintain a robust global audit program that drives continuous improvement and proactive compliance across Gilead's global supply chain.
• Oversee systems and data used to manage the global audit program, including ensuring accuracy and integrity of information within Gilead's internal systems.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise direct reports.
• Supervision of contingent workforce and consultants
• Develops talent, including development planning, for both direct reports and indirect reports, through mentoring.

Experience/Knowledge/Skills

• Demonstrated experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry is required.
• Proven GMP/GDP auditor with experience conducting audits and leading, managing, and developing a team of auditors.
• Experience engaging with Health Authorities during regulatory inspections is desirable.
• Prior experience within a regulatory authority is desirable.
• Expert knowledge of GMP and GDP regulations, global regulatory expectations, and inspection practices.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across technical, operational, and executive audiences.
• Highly experienced in actively listening to and integrating diverse perspectives to develop well‑reasoned solutions and effectively advocate for a position.
• Demonstrated accountability for actions, a strong results orientation, and the ability to learn from experience and continuous feedback.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and logical, analytical thinking in collecting, evaluating, and synthesizing information to support independent and timely decision‑making.
• Effectively communicates, influences, and escalates issues and decisions, as appropriate, to support risk‑based and timely resolution.

Education/Experience

• BS/BA degree in Biology, Sciences, or related discipline and a minimum of 12 years or related experience; or
• MS/MA degree in Biology, Sciences, or related discipline and a minimum of 10 years of related experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Travel: 30% travel required

The salary range for this position is

• Bay Area: $210,375.00 - $272,250.00.
• Other US Locations: $191,250.00 - $247,500.00.

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.

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 [e-mail] 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 thelegal 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.