Strategic PPM Leader for Biotech Operations

Kite Pharma; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 178,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Kite Pharma in the United States seeks an Associate Director, Project & Portfolio Management to lead the creation and expansion of a PPM Center of Excellence across Tech Ops, defining standards, tools, templates, training and adoption strategies.

This role blends strategic leadership with practical design, aiming to improve portfolio visibility, decision making, and cross-functional collaboration while guiding stakeholders through change without direct people management authority.

Qualifications

• PhD/Doctorate with 2+ years of relevant experience OR
• Master's Degree with 8+ years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor's Degree with 10+ years of relevant experience OR
• High School Diploma/GED with 14+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of project and portfolio management methodology, standards, and operating practices across Tech Ops.
• Build and scale a PPM Center of Excellence by creating practical tools, templates, playbooks, training, and guidance that teams can adopt and use effectively.
• Assess current PPM maturity across functions and identify the highest-value improvements to strengthen planning quality, execution discipline, portfolio visibility, and decision-making.
• Design future-state ways of working that create consistency while allowing flexibility for different initiative types, team needs, and business priorities.
• Drive adoption of new PPM practices through stakeholder engagement, change management, training, coaching, and practical implementation support.
• Influence and align a dotted-line network of PPM representatives and cross-functional partners in a matrixed environment, without direct people management authority.
• Partner with leaders and teams to translate complex PPM frameworks into clear, actionable guidance that supports business-relevant execution.
• Define and monitor portfolio metrics that measure process effectiveness, identify risks and trends, and highlight opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Foster a collaborative culture of accountability, learning, continuous improvement, and capability-building across Tech Ops.

Skills

Project management

Portfolio management

PMO

PPM Center of Excellence

Operating model design

Education

PhD/Doctorate with 2+ years

Master's Degree with 8+ years

Bachelor's Degree with 10+ years

High School Diploma/GED with 14+ years

Job description

Kite Pharma in the United States seeks an Associate Director, Project & Portfolio Management to lead the creation and expansion of a PPM Center of Excellence across Tech Ops, defining standards, tools, templates, training and adoption strategies.

This role blends strategic leadership with practical design, aiming to improve portfolio visibility, decision making, and cross-functional collaboration while guiding stakeholders through change without direct people management authority.