Exec Director, Viral Vector Process Development

About this role

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

This role is accountable for end-to-end viral vector development, from construct design through clinical and commercial manufacturing support, and serves as a key partner across Research, Product Teams, Technical Operations, and Analytical functions. The leader will balance deep technical expertise with executive-level influence, ensuring robust, scalable vector platforms while building a high-performing organization capable of supporting both ex vivo and emerging in vivo applications.

Reporting & Location • Reports to: SVP, Global Head of Process Development • Location: Santa Monica, CA Or Oceanside, CA • On-site presence required

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Scientific Leadership • Accountable for technical strategy for viral vector platforms across clinical and commercial scale, including complex tech transfers, external manufacturing partnerships, and late‑stage manufacturing readiness. • Provide deep expertise in lentiviral vector (LVV) design, including construct architecture, promoter selection, and transgene optimization • Lead viral vector process development, including: • Upstream production systems (transient and stable) • Downstream purification and recovery operations

• Drive process scale-up and technology transfer to clinical and commercial manufacturing sites (internal and external) • Oversee LVV life cycle management and  manufacturing support capabilities • Lead initiatives to improve viral vector productivity, robustness, and cost of goods • Advance next-generation capabilities, including: • In vivo viral vector development • Platform innovations and emerging delivery technologies

Cross-Functional & Product Development Leadership • Ensure viral vector development decisions are optimized across the full cell therapy value chain, from transduction efficiency and cell performance to manufacturing robustness and CMC sustainability. • Provide strategic leadership for viral vector on cross-functional Product Teams • Partner closely with: • Research to translate early concepts into developable and scalable vector designs • T cell process development to align vector performance with cellular outcomes • Analytical development to ensure appropriate characterization and control strategies

• Contribute to integrated product development, ensuring vector design and process decisions align with clinical and commercial objectives • Drive alignment across functions in a matrixed environment, balancing competing priorities while maintaining product focus

CMC & Regulatory Engagement • Strong working knowledge of cGMP regulations and compliance systems related to viral vector development, including inspection readiness, audit support, and direct engagement with regulatory agencies. • Contribute to LVV CMC strategies, including phase-appropriate viral vector development and scale-up approaches • Support regulatory filings and health authority interactions as a technical expert • Provide input into comparability strategies for process changes, site transfers, and lifecycle evolution of LVV

Organizational Leadership & Talent Development • Provide leadership oversight for viral vector development laboratories and GMP‑adjacent environments, ensuring facility readiness, compliance, and operational excellence in support of clinical and commercial programs. • Demonstrated experience leading large organizations within a highly matrixed cell and gene therapy environment. • • Build, lead, and scale a high-performing viral vector development organization • Recruit, develop, and retain top scientific and leadership talent • Coach and develop future leaders, ensuring depth and succession within the organization • Foster a culture of: • Scientific rigor and accountability • Ownership and execution • Collaboration and transparency

  Leadership, Communication & Executive Influence • Demonstrate strong executive presence, with the ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences • Influence decision-making at senior leadership and governance levels, providing clear, balanced perspectives on risks, trade-offs, and options • Drive clarity in ambiguity, enabling teams to make timely and well-informed decisions • Communicate effectively across: • Technical teams • Cross-functional stakeholders • Executive leadership

• Build credibility as a trusted partner and advisor, both internally and externally • Represent the organization in external collaborations, partnerships, and industry forums

Basic Qualifications • PhD in Biochemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Virology, or related field with 15+ years of experience (or MS with 18+ years) • Extensive experience in viral vector development and manufacturing support for cell and/or gene therapy • Demonstrated expertise in LVV and/or RVV systems • End-to-end experience from early development through commercialization • Strong understanding of: • Viral vector development across phases • Analytical characterization strategies • Manufacturing and tech transfer considerations for viral vector

• Experience leading cell therapy programs (e.g., CAR-T) • Proven ability to lead in a highl

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