Director, Digital Transformation & AI Strategy - Technical Operations

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

We are seeking a dynamic leader to shape Kite's future by integrating advanced analytics, AI, and new digital technologies into Technical Operations. This high-impact, high-visibility role will drive enterprise-wide transformation programs, enabling data-driven decision-making, digital solutions, and operational excellence. This position is responsible for translating a strategic vision into integrated, value-creating roadmaps that guide our portfolio of AI, Data Science, and Digital efforts. This position requires creativity, strong business acumen, and the ability to influence and partner across the enterprise.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of achieving mid- to long-range strategic objectives through collaboration, influence, and leadership. The role is located in Foster City, CA and reports into the Executive Director and Head of Tech Ops Strategy.

Locations: Foster City, CA or Santa Monica, CA

Key Responsibilities:

• Digital & AI Strategy Leadership : Define and execute a cohesive AI and digital roadmap aligned with Kite'sand Tech Ops'strategicobjectives. Drive adoption of scalable AI solutions across the value chain to enhance productivity, insight generation, and decision-making.

• Data Governance & Analytics : Partner with IT and business stakeholders to capture desired outcomes, define use cases, and ensure robust data management practices for integrity and compliance. Champion platformapproaches fordata science, infrastructure, and visualization.

• Transformation Program Delivery : Orchestrate prioritization acrossinitiatives ('Every DayAI','Productivity Boosters','Leap Forwards') to achieve measurable outcomes. Define KPIs for AI adoption and digitalmaturity;track and report progress to senior leadership.

• Enterprise Collaboration & Influence : Represent Technical Operations on the Kite Data Science Council to support enterprise capability buildout. Facilitate workshops and sessions to integrate disparate strategies into cohesive roadmaps. Build relationships and lead by influence across Gilead and Kite organizations.

• Innovation & Future Vision : Stay informed on emerging technologies and translate insights into actionable strategies. Author future-focused roadmaps that enable scalability and competitive advantage.

• Change Leadership :Lead and support transformation initiatives through their lifecycle. Serve as a catalyst for cultural change, embedding continuous improvement and innovation across global teams. Evaluate operating models and talent requirements to support transformation goals.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree and Twelve Years' Experience

OR

Masters' Degree and Ten Years' Experience

OR

PhD and Eight Years' Experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in biopharma product commercialization and lifecycle management.

• Proven experience leading digital transformation initiatives in a regulated environment.Expertise inAI/ML platforms, data architecture, and advanced analytics tools.

• Robust analytical capabilities and experience supporting high-impact analyses.

• Strong strategic and business analysis skills withabilityto evaluate risks and opportunities.

• Proven leadership in managing multiple projects and workshops of varying scope; excellent facilitation and project management skills.

• Track recordof influencing and collaborating across enterprise functions to deliver measurable outcomes.

• Excellent facilitation and project management skills; ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.Expertise inchange management.

• Robust analytical capabilities and experience supporting high-impact analyses.

Key Behaviors:

• Strong strategic and business analysis withabilityto evaluate risks and opportunities.

• Agile and adaptable in shifting priorities whilemaintainingalignment with strategic roadmaps.

• Enterprise and cross-functional mindset to support Kite's portfolio holistically.

• Neutralto competingpriorities;facilitatesresolution and forward movement.

• Buildsrelationships, leads by influence, and acts as a trusted partner.

• Ensurescollaboration and decision quality by engaging key stakeholders.

• Accelerates decisions that drive product launches and lifecycle changes whilemaintainingtransparency and execution discipline.

• Staysclosely connectedto business priorities anddemonstratesproactive, forward-thinking planning.

• Acts as a visionary and catalyst for change, inspiring teams to embrace innovation.

The salary range for this position is:

Bay Area: $226,185.00 - $292,710.00.

Other US Locations: $205,615.00 - $266,090.00.

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*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

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

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 . Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at .

For jobs in the United States:

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 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 click.appcast.io for assistance.

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

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT (

YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

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.

For Current Kite Pharma Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.

Change The World With Us

Everyone at Kite is grounded by one common goal - curing cancer. Every day, we aim to establish a direct line between that purpose and our day-to-day work.

We are creating Kite together, with the recognition that the best teams are built by the best people. We maintain an attitude of curiosity, and creativity with each challenge as we develop a new market for cancer therapies. We appreciate and respect one another, and most importantly, we don't take success for granted.

While we've come a long way to make what others viewed as impossible, possible, we know one thing is certain. Today is just the beginning.