New · posted Oct 14
Exelixis · Biotechnology
Associate QA Systems and Process QMS Director
- Alameda, CA
- On-site
- Full-time
- Director
Open until filled
The role
SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE
The Associate QA Systems and Process QMS Director is the QA lead accountable for providing organizational guidance, support and act as business owner for Quality Management Systems (QMS), to ensure a fit-for-purpose, compliant and timely execution of complex Quality Events (Change Requests, Change Actions, Deviations, CAPAs, Effectiveness Checks, Issue Escalations, etc.). This role owns continuous QMS improvement by leading process enhancements, delivering training, reporting metrics, and serving as the system Business Owner.
The Associate QA Systems and Process QMS Director partners closely with QA and cross-functional teams (Pharmaceutical Supply Chain (PSC), Clinical Development/Operations, Information technology (IT), Regulatory Affairs (RA), Global Patient Safety, etc.) to identify, escalate, and effectively mitigate issues and risks.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Champion and Partner QA support for QMS (Deviations, Change Control, CAPA, CAPA Actions, Effectiveness checks, etc.).
- Owns business process for eQMS.
- Provide guidance on QMS use, process requirements, best practices and record completeness.
- Provide QA oversight of Veeva periodic enhancements.
- As a Change Control Process owner and QMS Business owner, drive cross-functional compliance, provide QMS guidance, ensure complete, thorough and timely completion of quality records.
- Own governing procedures and drive continuous improvement to ensure fit-for-purpose, risk based QMS processes.
- Track and trend QMS, provide metrics for Quality Systems Management Review (QSMR).
- Provide monthly Veeva Quality event status reports to QA and functional areas, proactively driving timely record closure.
- Develop and chamption a risk-based strategy across the GxP landscape to identify, manage, and mitigate risks; address potential blind spots; escalate issues; propose solutions; drive continuous improvement; and ensure alignment with key stakeholders and global regulatory standards.
- Own continuous improvements of the eQMS platform and Computer System Validation (CSV) processes to enhance efficiency, compliance, and overall system effectiveness.
- Resolve quality issues, identify and mitigate risk, propose options and solutions, and escalate as needed.
- Serve as the SME for health authority inspections and audits, while fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely documentation, escalation, and resolution of quality issues.
- Manage conflict by actively engaging teams to address issues, seeking diverse views and facilitate identification of options to achieve an equitable solution.
- Drive results and influence others outside of direct authority.
- Manage objective setting and balance commitments to prioritize and complete activities within established timelines.
- Serve as backup to other QMS QA leads and support CSV and Data Integrity (DI) QA activities as needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Complies with all policies and standards
What you need
Two ways to qualify
Bachelor’s
+ 11 years of experience
BS/BA degree in Biology, Computer Science, Education, Learning & Development, Sciences, or related discipline and 11 years of related experience; or
- or
Master’s
+ 9 years of experience
MS/MA degree in Biology, Computer Science, Education, Learning & Development, Sciences, or related discipline and 9 years of related experience; or
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS & ABILITIES Education
- Equivalent combination of education and applicable experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
- Apply wide range of knowledge of biotechnology/pharmaceutical sector to perform complex work, provides input beyond the QA function and proposes solutions to highly complex issues.
- Understands technical information related to equipment, processes, and regulatory expectations.
- Demonstrate strong time-management and organizational ability to analyze and improve processes and consistently produce high quality work.
- Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills, able to translate and communicate complex concepts across all levels of the organization.
- Proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities, evaluate data to detect weak signals, and escalate cumulative risks.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through change by engaging others, assessing unforeseen situations, continuously learning to achieve goals and drive results.
Experience
- Experience in pharmaceutical or biotech industries, and Quality Systems is preferred.
- Experience in development of business strategies, metrics, and continuous improvements is preferred.
- Proven indirect organizational and management skills, ability to manage complex issues, sound decision making and strategic skills.
- Demonstrated knowledge of cGMPs, Health Authority Regulations, Quality Systems and manufacturing processes.
- International/global regulatory requirements experience preferred.
- Experience with participation in regulatory inspections and audits, presenting or defending functions.
Travel Requirements
- 10% This position requires up to 10% travel.
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The base pay range for this position is $176,000 - $251,000 annually. The base pay range may take into account the candidate’s geographic region, which will adjust the pay depending on the specific work location. The base pay offered will take into account the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors.In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan. Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the recruiting process, please email us at: [email protected].
What you'll do
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- No supervisory responsibilities.
Pay and benefits
$176,000 – $251,000 a year
Employer provided401k with company contributions
Medical, dental and vision coverage
Life and disability insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Discretionary annual bonus
Employee stock purchase and long-term incentives
Where you'll work
Alameda, CAOn-siteOpen in Maps (opens in a new tab)
More jobs in Alameda, CAWorking conditions
Our office is a modern space that fosters collaboration and creativity. Teams work closely together, sharing ideas and solutions in a supportive atmosphere. We provide all necessary equipment, including dual monitors and ergonomic chairs, to ensure a comfortable workspace.
Equal opportunity, accessibility and legal noticesExelixis's statements, word for word
DISCLAIMER
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
Job intelligence
The context around this role
Live data · October 14, 2026
Salary intelligence
How the pay compares
This role's midpoint is 1% above the US median for Quality Assurance roles at this level.
This roleEmployer provided
Director roles in California16 roles publishing pay
Director roles in the US65 roles publishing pay
| Annual base pay | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| This role | $176,000 | — | $251,000 |
| California (middle half) | $205,750 | $212,250 | $222,500 |
| All US (middle half) | $186,000 | $211,000 | $231,500 |
This role: Exelixis's own published range. Comparisons: the base pay employers published on open Quality Assurance roles at the same level on Regulatory Jobs, October 14, 2026. Nothing is estimated.
Career trajectory
Where this role sits in Quality Assurance
The general path across 598 open Quality Assurance roles on Regulatory Jobs, with the titles they carry most. Not Exelixis's own promotion track.
Career resources on Quality Assurance
Skills DNA
What this role leans on
How many of the posting's 38 duty, requirement and summary lines touch each area. The posting's emphasis, not a proficiency score.
- Quality systems and risk12
- Collaboration and leadership8
- GMP and compliance6
- Data and digital systems6
- Documentation and SOPs5
- Investigations and CAPA2
- Regulatory submissions2
- Validation and qualification1
Regulatory intelligence
The rules behind this role
Frameworks and standards this posting's work falls under, matched from its own words, each linked to the official source.
From Regulatory News
Manufacturing and quality coverage for this professionCompany hiring pulse
Exelixis on Regulatory Jobs
- 5
- Open roles
- 5
- Distinct roles
- 1
- Locations
By discipline
- Regulatory3 60%
- Quality2 40%
By level
- Director4 80%
- VP & Executive1 20%
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Associate QA Systems and Process QMS Director at Exelixis
Open until filled. $176K–$251K a year, employer provided.