Exec Director, Viral Vector Process Development

Biopharma Careers; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 255,000 - 331,000; Full time

Job summary

Kite Pharma is seeking a senior leader to drive end-to-end viral vector development, from construct design through manufacturing support. You will influence cross‑functional teams across Research, Product and Operations to deliver scalable vector platforms for ex vivo and in vivo applications.

The role requires deep technical knowledge, strong executive presence, and the ability to navigate a highly matrixed environment while shaping regulatory strategy and portfolio decisions.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent with 15+ years' experience in viral vector development.
• Extensive experience in LVV and RVV systems.
• End-to-end development from early to commercial.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for technical strategy for viral vector platforms across clinical and commercial scale.
• Lead viral vector process development and tech transfer to manufacturing sites.
• Provide executive-level influence and build a high-performing organization.
• Ensure regulatory readiness and cGMP compliance.

Skills

Viral vector development

Leadership in matrixed teams

Regulatory understanding

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in Biochemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Virology, or related field

Job description

We’re 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. We’ve made incredible scientific breakthroughs and our pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies have changed the paradigm. But we're 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.

Job Description

This role is accountable for end-to-end viral vector development, from construct design through clinical and commercial manufacturing support, and serves as a key partner across Research, Product Teams, Technical Operations, and Analytical functions.

The leader will balance deep technical expertise with executive‑level influence, ensuring robust, scalable vector platforms while building a high‑performing organization capable of supporting both ex vivo and emerging in vivo applications.

Reporting & Location

Reports to: SVP, Global Head of Process Development

Location: Santa Monica, CA Or Oceanside, CA

On‑site presence required

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Scientific Leadership

• Accountable for technical strategy for viral vector platforms across clinical and commercial scale, including complex tech transfers, external manufacturing partnerships, and late‑stage manufacturing readiness.
• Provide deep expertise in lentiviral vector (LVV) design, including construct architecture, promoter selection, and transgene optimization.
• Lead viral vector process development, including: Upstream production systems (transient and stable).
• Downstream purification and recovery operations.
• Drive process scale‑up and technology transfer to clinical and commercial manufacturing sites (internal and external).
• Oversee LVV life cycle management and manufacturing support capabilities.
• Lead initiatives to improve viral vector productivity, robustness, and cost of goods.
• Advance next‑generation capabilities, including: In vivo viral vector development.
• Platform innovations and emerging delivery technologies.

Cross‑Functional & Product Development Leadership

• Ensure viral vector development decisions are optimized across the full cell therapy value chain, from transduction efficiency and cell performance to manufacturing robustness and CMC sustainability.
• Provide strategic leadership for viral vector on cross‑functional Product Teams.
• Partner closely with: Research to translate early concepts into developable and scalable vector designs.
• T cell process development to align vector performance with cellular outcomes.
• Analytical development to ensure appropriate characterization and control strategies.
• Contribute to integrated product development, ensuring vector design and process decisions align with clinical and commercial objectives.
• Drive alignment across functions in a matrixed environment, balancing competing priorities while maintaining product focus.

CMC & Regulatory Engagement

• Strong working knowledge of cGMP regulations and compliance systems related to viral vector development, including inspection readiness, audit support, and direct engagement with regulatory agencies.
• Contribute to LVV CMC strategies, including phase‑appropriate viral vector development and scale‑up approaches.
• Support regulatory filings and health authority interactions as a technical expert.
• Provide input into comparability strategies for process changes, site transfers, and lifecycle evolution of LVV.

Organizational Leadership & Talent Development

• Provide leadership oversight for viral vector development laboratories and GMP‑adjacent environments, ensuring facility readiness, compliance, and operational excellence in support of clinical and commercial programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading large organizations within a highly matrixed cell and gene therapy environment.
• Build, lead, and scale a high‑performing viral vector development organization.
• Recruit, develop, and retain top scientific and leadership talent.
• Coach and develop future leaders, ensuring depth and succession within the organization.
• Foster a culture of: Scientific rigor and accountability.
• Ownership and execution.
• Collaboration and transparency.
• Leadership, Communication & Executive Influence.

Leadership, Communication & Executive Influence

• Demonstrate strong executive presence, with the ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Influence decision-making at senior leadership and governance levels, providing clear, balanced perspectives on risks, trade‑offs, and options.
• Drive clarity in ambiguity, enabling teams to make timely and well‑informed decisions.
• Communicate effectively across: Technical teams.
• Cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Executive leadership.
• Build credibility as a trusted partner and advisor, both internally and externally.
• Represent the organization in external collaborations, partnerships, and industry forums.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Virology, or related field with 15+ years of experience (or MS with 18+ years).
• Extensive experience in viral vector development and manufacturing support for cell and/or gene therapy.
• Demonstrated expertise in LVV and/or RVV systems.
• End‑to‑end experience from early development through commercialization.
• Strong understanding of: Viral vector development across phases.
• Analytical characterization strategies.
• Manufacturing and tech transfer considerations for viral vector.
• Experience leading cell therapy programs (e.g., CAR‑T).
• Proven ability to lead in a highly matrixed, cross‑functional environment.
• Track record of influencing portfolio and strategic decisions for successful drug development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to in vivo gene delivery platforms.
• Sound knowledge in RVV development and CMC aspects.

Leadership Attributes

• Enterprise mindset, prioritizes product and patient impact over functional optimization.
• Technical depth with judgment, knows when to go deep and when to elevate.
• Clarity and decisiveness, simplifies complexity into actionable direction.
• Talent builder, develops leaders, not just teams.
• Strong influencing skills across matrixed environments.
• Ability to integrate strategy with execution.

The salary range for this position is: $255,425.00 - $330,550.00. 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*.

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

For additional benefits information, visit: https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

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.

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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 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 Section503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and TitleI of the Americans with Disabilities Act of1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may [e-mail] for assistance. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

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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.