Director, Vendor Performance Management (Development Operations) (United States - California - Foster City)

This job is with Gilead Sciences Inc., an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

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.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Vendor Performance Management within Development Operations. This role is accountable for portfolio-level vendor performance across the clinical development lifecycle, including performance analytics, issue trending, escalation management, and performance improvement strategies for assigned vendors. The Director partners closely with internal development teams and external vendor leadership to drive performance transparency, continuous improvement, enabling data-driven decision-making across a complex outsourced ecosystem. This role will sit in Foster City, CA.

Core Responsibilities

The Director, Vendor Relationship and Performance Management is accountable for providing strategic oversight and leadership of vendor performance management across Development Operations. Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide portfolio-level leadership and accountability for vendor performance management across multiple outsourced service areas within Development Operations, ensuring alignment with development strategy, delivery expectations, and business objectives.

• Define, own, and govern vendor performance management frameworks for the assigned vendor portfolio, including performance metrics, issue management, escalation pathways, and performance improvement strategies across functional teams.

• Oversee the development, maintenance, and ongoing optimization of departmental performance management tools and systems, including the KPI dashboard and the Vendor Issue Management System, ensuring data integrity, relevance, and usability.

• Lead performance analytics and reporting strategy for the assigned vendor base, ensuring consistent interpretation and effective use of performance data to generate actionable insights, inform governance discussions, and drive continuous improvement.

• Partner with cross‑functional development leaders to proactively identify vendor performance risks, gaps, and trends; assess business impact; and define and oversee execution of performance improvement plans.

• Lead and facilitate vendor performance governance and escalation processes, representing Development Operations at operational and leadership-level forums, and driving timely resolution of complex portfolio-level issues in collaboration with internal and vendor executive stakeholders.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders and vendor partners, translating complex performance data into clear, decision‑ready insights and recommendations for portfolio and vendor governance meetings.

• Contribute to the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of vendor performance management processes, standards, and ways of working across the Development organization.

• Build organizational capability in vendor performance management by leading or enabling training, knowledge sharing, and adoption of best practices across teams.

• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives related to vendor performance and governance, engaging and influencing a broad range of stakeholders across Development Operations and partner functions.

• Champion innovation and advanced analytics, including the use of AI-enabled tools, to enhance predictive vendor performance insights, automate manual analysis where appropriate, and strengthen proactive, data-driven governance.

Core Competencies & Behavioral Attributes

Demonstrates Boldness in Aspiration & Agility in Execution

• Operates with a strategic, enterprise mindset, setting ambitious goals for vendor performance and governance while driving practical, timely execution across a complex outsourced landscape.

• Anticipates trends, risks, and opportunities within clinical development outsourcing and adapts strategies, priorities, and governance models to meet evolving business needs.

Cares and Makes Time for People

• Builds an inclusive, respectful, and high‑performing environment by investing in relationships with internal teams and external vendor partners.

• Leads with empathy and respect, balancing performance expectations with partnership, accountability, and trust across stakeholders.

Listens, Speaks Openly, and Explains the Why

• Demonstrates strong executive communication and presence, clearly articulating performance insights, risks, and recommendations to senior leaders and vendor executives.

• Actively listens to diverse perspectives, synthesizing complex inputs into clear, data‑driven narratives that enable informed decision‑making and alignment.

Trusts Others and Empowers Sound Decision Making

• Influences effectively without direct authority, empowering cross‑functional teams and vendor partners to take ownership of performance outcomes.

• Creates clarity in roles, expectations, and decision rights, fostering accountability and confidence across governance and escalation forums.

Owns the Impact of Decisions and Outcomes

• Takes full accountability for portfolio‑level vendor performance outcomes, including the effectiveness, timeliness, and business impact of decisions made within governance and escalation forums.

• Demonstrates sound judgement in navigating complex, high‑impact situations, balancing development objectives, operational risk, and strategic partnerships.

• Ensures clear ownership, follow‑through, and resolution of issues by driving decisions to closure and reinforcing accountability across internal and vendor stakeholders.

Leads Through Insight, Innovation, and Continuous Improvement

• Brings strong analytical and systems-thinking capabilities, leveraging performance data, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies to generate actionable insights and predictive intelligence.

• Champions continuous improvement and innovation, driving enhancements in vendor performance frameworks, tools, and ways of working to deliver sustainable value.

Core Skills

• Strategic Thinking: Aligns vendor performance and governance improvements with broader Development and enterprise objectives.

• Collaboration & Influence: Builds strong relationships and drives alignment across internal stakeholders and vendor leadership.

• Analytical & Problem‑Solving Skills: Applies critical thinking and data‑driven analysis to identify risks, trends, and improvement opportunities.

• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast‑paced, complex environment with shifting priorities.

• Accountability & Decision‑Making: Takes ownership of outcomes, drives timely decisions, and ensures high‑quality outcomes.

• Communication: Demonstrates clear, persuasive oral, written, and verbal communication, including change leadership.

• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Proactively identifies and drives opportunities to enhance processes and ways of working.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BA/BS in life sciences or related field, with 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in vendor performance and relationship management within the biotech or pharmaceutical industries

• Demonstrated experience leading portfolio‑level vendor performance governance across multiple vendor service categories within clinical development.

• Strong background in KPI (key performance indicator) development and analytics, performance issue escalation, and performance improvement planning.

• Proven experience partnering with vendors and cross‑functional stakeholders, including engagement with senior and executive‑level leaders.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Copilot, and SharePoint.

• Preferred experience using advanced analytics and AI‑enabled tools to support performance management and decision‑making.

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