Sr Director, Data Scientist at Gilead Sciences Foster, CA

Comunidade Metodista; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 243,000 - 315,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilead Sciences Inc. is seeking a Senior Director to lead the Data & Digital Team within Technical Development, guiding the digital strategy, roadmap, and cross-functional execution.

You will oversee in silico tools, AI initiatives, and data-driven processes across R&D and technical operations. The role requires 14+ years in relevant fields or 12+ with advanced degrees, strong leadership, and collaboration with IT, manufacturing and regulatory partners.

Qualifications

• BA/BS and 14+ years of relevant experience; OR MA/MS or PhD/PharmD and 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience leading digital transformation initiatives in R&D or technical operations.
• Proven experience integrating data and digital tools into R&D workflows (PAT, lab informatics, AI/ML for process optimization or predictive quality).
• Strong AI fluency with experience deploying AI and digital solutions in a technical environment.
• Excellent collaboration with scientists, engineers, IT, manufacturing and others.
• Visionary leader with the ability to define and execute a data strategy for technical development.

Responsibilities

• Refine a Technical Development Digital Enablement roadmap aligned to priorities and platforms.
• Lead business case development and ROI analysis for new digital investments.
• Drive digital pilots and implementations in partnership with IT and stakeholders.
• Lead change management and upskilling initiatives across Technical Development.
• Collaborate with IT, CMC RA and external vendors to advance digital solutions.
• Build and mentor a high-performing, multidisciplinary data science team.

Skills

AI fluency

Enterprise mindset

Leadership

Data governance

Change management

Collaboration

Data science

Education

BA/BS and 14+ years of relevant experience

MA/MS or PhD/PharmD and 12+ years of relevant experience

Job description

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.

Head of Technical Development Data & Digital Team (Senior Director)

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join the Technical Development Strategy and Operations team as Senior Director of Data & Digital Team. The successful candidate will lead the digital strategy, implementation roadmap, and cross-functional coordination to transform processes through innovative digital solutions. Candidate will also lead the team that supports existing in silico tools, will oversee implementation of emerging technologies (including AI), and champion data-driven, digitally empowered ways of working. The Head of The Data & Digital team will report to the Executive Director of Technical Development Strategy and Operations and partner closely with Technical Development leadership, IT, Manufacturing, CMC Regulatory and the broader Gilead digital ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy and Roadmap Development

• Continuously refine a Technical Development Digital Enablement roadmap aligned to organizational priorities and enterprise platforms.

• Translate Technical Development-specific digital needs into business cases for enterprise-level investments.

• Lead the business case development and ROI analysis for new digital investments, effectively communicating trade-offs between speed, cost, and scope to leadership.

Program Delivery and Vendor Coordination

• In partnership with IT, identify, evaluate, and create strategic partnerships with established and emerging technology providers to bring cutting-edge solutions and expertise into the organization

• In partnership with key stakeholders, drive digital pilots and implementations

• Foster relationships with internal partners (e.g., IT, CMC RA) and external vendors

Innovation, Change Leadership, and Continuous Improvement

• Articulate a compelling vision for digital transformation within Technical Development

• Leverage data science AI models to transform the ways of working and accelerate development

• Drive strategic data-centric solutions to enable drug development

• Scan the digital landscape for emerging tools applicable to small molecule and biologics development.

• Lead change management, including upskilling, communication planning, and user adoption.

• Partner with broader Technical Development community to identify areas where digital can remove friction or enable leapfrog innovation.

Collaboration and Influence

• Serve as a bridge between Technical Development and PDM digital governance groups. Represent Technical Development in PDM digital steering committees and structured content working groups.

• Align efforts with data governance, structured data initiatives, and broader PDM digital programs.

Leadership & People Development :

• Create a collaborative and inclusive work environment, promoting teamwork and effective communication

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of data scientists

Basic Qualifications:

• BA/BS and 14+ years of relevant experience; OR

• MA/MS or PhD/PharmD and 12+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional training or certification in data science, informatics or digital transformation preferred.

• At least 5 years in leadership role managing teams across informatics, data science, or digital technologies applied to R&D or technical operation

• Proven experience integrating data and digital tools into R&D workflows (for example PAT, lab informatics, digital twins, AI/ML for process optimization or predictive quality)

Technical & Strategic Skills:

• Demonstrated enterprise mindset with ability to align Technical Development needs to enterprise platforms and solutions, ensuring scalability, interoperability, and long-term business value.

• Proven success leading digital initiatives from strategy through implementation.

• Established data acumen, understanding of advanced analytics, data architecture, and data engineering

• Strong AI fluency with experience deploying both everyday AI tools for general use and custom AI and digital solutions in a technical environment

• Knowledge of data governance principles, systems integrations, and metadata management is a plus.

Leadership & Soft Skills:

• Visionary leader who can define and execute a digital and data strategy for technical development

• Excellent collaborator with scientists, engineers, IT, manufacturing and others

• Change agent with the ability to inspire adoption and build digital fluency across teams

• Track record of building and managing high-performing, multidisciplinary 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:

* 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 [e-mail] for assistance.

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

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.