Manager, Project Management – Business Strategy and Operations

Job Description

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

Everyone at Kite is grounded by one common goal – curing cancer. Every single day, we seek to establish a direct line between that purpose and our day-to-day work. Would you like to join us in this mission?

We are seeking a highly motivated individual for the role of Project Manager to work in the exciting area of cancer immunotherapy to support the development, management and execution of site projects. In this role you will report to the Sr. Manager, Project Management, at our commercial manufacturing facility located in Frederick, MD.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Initial focus will be on anito-cel life cycle management, and accountabilities will include areas such as:

  • Provide structure, organization, and strategic support for anito-cel life cycle management (LCM) at the TCF05 Frederick, Maryland manufacturing facility.

  • Work directly with site (TCF05) MSAT and PD to manage updates to the clinical and commercial anito-cel processes.

  • Manage anito-cel technical transfer projects (TTs) at TCF05 from PD (or other sending units).

  • Interface directly with global manufacturing leadership and PD/AD leadership in support of LCM for anito-cel.

  • Identify risks related to anito-cel TTs and LCM and share with appropriate stakeholders.

  • Lead and oversee a portfolio of complex, strategic manufacturing projects, including lifecycle management (LCM), technical transfers, and process improvements.

• Partner with MSAT, PD, Manufacturing, Quality, and global stakeholders to align project priorities with site and network manufacturing objectives.

• Establish and maintain robust project governance including project charters, integrated timelines, resource planning, and financial tracking.

• Drive execution of highly complex projects, ensuring alignment to scope, schedule, cost, and quality requirements within a GxP environment.

• Identify, assess, and proactively manage risks associated with manufacturing processes, technical transfers, and operational changes.

• Provide clear and concise project status reporting to site leadership and portfolio governance forums.

• Lead cross-functional teams to define project goals, success metrics, and business cases supporting manufacturing initiatives.

• Ensure effective stakeholder engagement across site and global functions to manage interdependencies and drive decision-making.

• Facilitate governance meetings, ensuring documentation of decisions, actions, and escalations.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including process optimization, new technology integration, and operational efficiency enhancements.

• Build strong relationships across the site to foster trust, collaboration, and alignment with manufacturing priorities.

• Mentor and develop project managers and team members, strengthening project management capabilities across the organization.

Basic Qualifications
Master's and 4 years of relevant experience

OR

Bachelor’s and 6 years of relevant experience

OR

Associate’s and 8 years of relevant experience

OR

High School Diploma/GED and 10 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, engineering, or related discipline with significant project management experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Extensive experience leading complex projects in a manufacturing or GxP-regulated environment.

• Demonstrated success managing cross-functional and global project teams supporting manufacturing operations.

• Strong leadership capabilities with experience influencing stakeholders at all levels, including site and global leadership.

• Expertise in project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management methodologies.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present effectively to senior leadership.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills within complex operational environments.

• Proficiency in project management tools and systems (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet) and Microsoft Office applications.

• PMP certification and/or Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.

• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations, lifecycle management, and technical transfer processes.

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly regulated manufacturing environment.

• Strong organizational and time management skills across multiple concurrent initiatives.

• Collaborative leadership style with focus on building trust and alignment across functions.

• Continuous improvement mindset with focus on operational excellence and innovation.

The salary range for this position is: $143,225.00 - $185,350.00. 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:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

• 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.

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.