New · posted Nov 1
Gilead Sciences · Pharmaceuticals
Director, Clinical Operations
- Foster City, CA +1 more
- On-site
- Full-time
- Director
The role
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
What you need
Minimum Education & Experience
BA / BS / RN with 12 or more years’ relevant clinical or related experience in life sciences. Or, MA / MS / PharmD / PhD with 10 or more years’ relevant clinical or related experience in life sciences.
Prior oncology clinical trials/operations experience in company-sponsored clinical trials
Multiple years’ experience leading high-complexity programs and/or cross-functional initiatives in clinical operations, including short- and long-range strategic planning, governance and oversight.
Experience developing RFPs and selection and management of CROs or other vendors.
Prior line management experience with proven effectiveness and success in hiring, managing and developing diverse top talent. Preferably multiple years’ experience managing other people leaders (with indirect reports).
Demonstrated ability to enable on-time, on-budget and high-quality portfolio delivery from CROs through effective expectation setting, oversight and partnership.
Demonstrated ability to build credibility and trust with senior leaders and cross-functional partners by adapting communication and influencing style to the audience and context, and by exercising sound judgement in escalation, conflict resolution and stakeholder engagement.
Knowledge & Other Requirements
Extensive experience in the delivery of registration-intent oncology clinical trial programs including understanding of oncology endpoints and approaches to ensure endpoint integrity.
Thorough understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory requirements and impact on development and execution of clinical trials, including knowledge of Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA), International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) governing the conduct of clinical studies.
Proven ability and experience to effectively execute clinical trials within designated program budgets and timelines. Strong financial acumen necessary for the development and management of clinical trial budgets.
Critical and creative thinker with demonstrated ability to operate effectively and independently in ambiguous and changing environments, balancing timely decision-making with appropriate evidence, reflection and stakeholder input.
Strong leadership presence and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated ability to build credibility and trust with senior leaders and cross-functional partners, adapt communication and influencing style to the audience and context, lead without authority, resolve conflict constructively, and exercise sound judgement in escalation and stakeholder engagement.
Strong interpersonal skills and understanding of team dynamics.
Demonstrable abilities to effectively communicate project direction and status to varying organizational levels, including leadership teams, executives and steering committees.
Strong coaching capabilities to mentor and develop staff.
Demonstrated effectiveness in proactively managing change.
Strong track record in effectively conceiving and leading large-scale, complex change initiatives.
When needed, ability to travel nationally and internationally.
The salary range for this position is: $210,375.00 - $272,250.00. 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*.
What you'll do
Provide Clinical Operations leadership and effective oversight of assigned Oncology personnel and programs, including tracking and managing deliverables and working cross-functionally with key stakeholders to optimize study-related processes and streamline timelines without compromising the quality of study deliverables.
Act as the Clinical Operations representative on Global Development Teams (GDTs)/Clinical Science Teams (CSTs), providing strategic operational input into Clinical Development Plans that significantly influences the direction and outcomes of product development strategies.
Establish and maintain strong collaboration and partnership with cross-functional colleagues globally to ensure timely, high-quality and within-budget delivery of programs. Keep stakeholders appropriately advised on project status and emerging issues.
Proactively identify emerging risks, issues and opportunities across programs before they become critical, applying robust analytical judgement to create clarity, frame options and translate insights into practical, outcome-oriented actions.
Demonstrate broad ownership beyond defined responsibilities by constructively challenging the status quo, taking initiative to address misalignment or emerging delivery risks, and acting with accountability for decisions, actions, and outcomes.
Apply an end-to-end understanding of study design, patient journey, operational delivery, vendor inputs, data collection and statistical considerations to identify and mitigate risks to endpoint quality and evaluability.
Provide effective CRO oversight by setting clear expectations, building productive partnerships that empower vendor expertise, addressing performance issues early and supporting on-time, on-budget, high-quality delivery.
Provide input into strategic and operational short- and long-range therapeutic area / functional area plans as appropriate, including supporting alignment and communications to other team members upon implementation.
Serve as a member of the Clinical Operations Oncology Senior Leaders Forum, providing key input into the leadership and management of the Clinical Operations Oncology team and driving department goals and initiatives to desired outcomes.
Lead and manage a team of direct and indirect reports. Hire, develop and retain diverse top talent on the team. Set clear goals for the team and individual direct reports. Coach direct reports on their performance, development and career interests. Play a lead role in developing other people leaders.
Lead development of resource plans for assigned programs to ensure optimal deployment and allocation of resources.
Ensure team’s work complies with established practices, policies and processes, and any regulatory or other requirements.
Initiate continuous improvement efforts, including identifying and applying best practices and driving standardization across teams and programs.
Play a lead role in Clinical Operations and cross-functional organizational initiatives to drive ongoing efficiencies and operational excellence.
May also serve as the Clinical Operations representative on vendor governance committees, corporate partnerships, due diligence and/or acquisition teams, providing critical input into and review of partnership agreements and documentation.
May lead development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other procedures or documentation within Clinical Operations and/or cross-functionally.
Pay
$210,375 – $272,250 a year
Employer providedFor additional benefits information, visit:
* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.
Where you'll work
Foster City, CA +1 moreOn-siteOpen in Maps (opens in a new tab)
Also posted for: Parsippany, NJ
More jobs in Foster City, CA +1 moreWorking conditions
For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors
Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.
Equal opportunity, accessibility and legal noticesGilead Sciences's statements, word for word
For jobs in the United States
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 [email protected] 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
Gilead Sciences 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.
Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.
Job intelligence
The context around this role
Live data · November 1, 2026
Salary intelligence
How the pay compares
This role's midpoint is 4% above the US median for Clinical Operations roles at this level.
This roleEmployer provided
Director roles in California8 roles publishing pay
Director roles in the US35 roles publishing pay
| Annual base pay | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| This role | $210,375 | — | $272,250 |
| California (middle half) | $239,000 | $242,500 | $253,625 |
| All US (middle half) | $202,500 | $233,000 | $243,000 |
This role: Gilead Sciences's own published range. Comparisons: the base pay employers published on open Clinical Operations roles at the same level on Regulatory Jobs, November 1, 2026. Nothing is estimated.
Career trajectory
Where this role sits in Clinical Operations
The general path across 93 open Clinical Operations roles on Regulatory Jobs, with the titles they carry most. Not Gilead's own promotion track.
Career resources on Clinical Operations
Skills DNA
What this role leans on
How many of the posting's 39 duty, requirement and summary lines touch each area. The posting's emphasis, not a proficiency score.
- Collaboration and leadership24
- Clinical trial conduct8
- Documentation and SOPs5
- GMP and compliance1
- Lab testing and methods1
- Regulatory submissions1
- Quality systems and risk1
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.
Company hiring pulse
Gilead on Regulatory Jobs
- 85
- Open roles
- 66
- Distinct roles
- 8
- Locations
By discipline
- Quality43 51%
- Clinical25 29%
- Regulatory17 20%
By level
- Director50 59%
- Manager18 21%
- Senior & Principal12 14%
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Director, Clinical Operations at Gilead
Open until filled. $210K–$272K a year, employer provided.