Sr Director, Analytical Development (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.

Job Description

 

Job Summary

The Sr. Director of Analytical Development (AD) provides strategic and technical leadership for analytical development across the pipeline, from discovery through marketing approval and product lifecycle management. The leader drives the development and execution of end‑to‑end, phase‑appropriate analytical control, method development, and transfer strategies-from raw materials through drug product-ensuring product characterization is fit for regulatory submissions. Recognized for scientific expertise and leadership, the leader builds and develops high‑performing teams, manages budgets and resources, and partners closely with Technical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Manufacturing, and external partners and contract laboratories to advance the pipeline.

 

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop an organization, from Directors to Research Associates, accountable for designing and executing science‑based, phase‑appropriate analytical strategies spanning raw materials through drug product to advance pipeline programs in alignment with clinical development plans, business objectives, and regulatory expectations.
• Lead strategic efforts to develop and continuously enhance analytical methods and technologies, translating innovation into robust, scalable commercial testing platforms.
• Provide leadership in analytical method transfer strategies to internal stakeholders, including Quality Control, as well as external CDMOs or CTLs.
• Provide strategic leadership for characterization of raw material, intermediate, drug substance, and drug product, partnering closely with the Advanced Characterization subfunction to select and apply fit‑for‑purpose technologies that enable robust assignment of critical quality attributes.
• Partner with the Advanced Analytical Technology subfunction to define and execute the AD technology roadmap and drive phase‑appropriate deployment of innovative technologies that modernize control strategies, accelerate development, improve quality, and enable next‑generation manufacturing and analytical testing.
• Manage Module 3 analytical content and data packages in collaboration with CMC Regulatory Affairs for IND/CTA, NDA/MAA/BLA and lifecycle submissions, including responses to health authority questions.

• Establish and maintain project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource/capacity plans; manage headcount assignments by program and proactively identify/escalate delivery risks.
• Provide technical leadership aligned with industry standards and global regulatory guidance; make critical scientific decisions to meet changing business needs.
• Lead and develop a diverse organization of scientists and leaders through hiring, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and talent development.
• Represent the function in cross-functional governance and leadership forums; build strong alliances with Drug Substance, Drug Product, Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing, and external partners/CMOs/CTLs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable corporate policies, procedures, and quality systems, including cGMP expectations.
• Foster an innovative, inclusive, and execution-focused environment while maintaining high scientific standards and a strong quality mindset.
• Lead cross-functional teams and influence peers and senior management; effectively lead both with and without formal authority.
• Engage with regulatory agencies/country authorities as an analytical subject-matter expert when required.
• Build external networks (vendors, consortia, academic/corporate partners) to stay ahead of evolving technical and regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline; 12+ years with a graduate degree (either MS or PhD) or 14+ years with a BA/BS. Expertise in pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical analytical development/product characterization.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience leading highly technical organizations, with a track record of delivering through others.
• Deep expertise in phase-appropriate control strategy development and analytical method development and transfer to Quality organizations.
• Working knowledge of cGMP, data integrity expectations, and global regulatory requirements, with experience supporting successful US and international regulatory filings.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to distill complex technical content for diverse audiences.
• Small molecule analytical development across the lifecycle (discovery through commercial), including chromatography (HPLC/UPLC), mass spectrometry, impurity methods, stability, comparability, method validation, and test transfer.
• Proven ability to craft technical and innovation strategies and implement new methodologies to improve capability, robustness, and productivity.
• Demonstrated capability to solve complex quality, regulatory, and scientific problems under aggressive timelines.

 

 

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*.

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

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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 View email address on apply.placed-app.com for assistance. <]]> <