Sr. Manager, Change Management & Site Integration Governance

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

The Sr. Manager, Change Management & Site Integration Governance will lead the planning, coordination, and execution of enterprise change initiatives associated with the integration of corporate functions into a commercial manufacturing site.  They are responsible for establishing governance frameworks, ensuring cross-functional alignment, and minimizing disruption to ongoing GMP manufacturing operations.

The individual will serve as a central point of coordination across multiple functions, driving visibility, sequencing, and prioritization of activities while influencing senior leaders across the organization.

This role is based in El Segundo, CA and reports to the Director, Business Strategy and Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Change Management & Organizational Readiness

• Lead change management strategies as well as specific projects to support the transition of corporate teams into a commercial manufacturing environment

• Assess organizational readiness and identify risks to adoption, compliance, and operational continuity

• Develop and execute communication and engagement plans tailored to cross-functional stakeholders

Governance & Operational Integration

• Establish and lead a site integration governance model, including:

  • Intake and prioritization of new activities

  • Cross-functional coordination forums

  • Executive-level reporting and decision-making processes

• Implement structured processes to track:

  • Employee onboarding and presence on site in partnership with F&E

  • Team events and cross-functional activities in partnership with PCC and ERGs

  • Critical milestones and site-impacting initiatives

• Ensure all activities are aligned with operational constraints and site priorities

Cross-functional Coordination

• Serve as the primary integration lead across existing site and corporate functions.

• Identify and proactively mitigate scheduling conflicts or operational risks

• Facilitate alignment on priorities, sequencing, and resource utilization

Risk Management & Escalation

• Identify risks related to overlapping activities or potential disruption to commercial operations

• Establish clear escalation pathways and drive timely resolution

Executive Stakeholder Management

• Partner with leadership, VPs, and Senior Directors to ensure alignment and commitment

• Influence without authority to drive adherence to governance processes

• Provide clear, concise updates on progress, risks, and key decisions

Project Management Support as Needed

• May support various projects related to the manufacturing side of the business at the site

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and Eight years’ experience 

OR 

• Masters' Degree and Six years’ experience 

OR 

• PhD and 2 years relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Eight+ years of experience in change management, operations, or large-scale transformation programs

• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated manufacturing environments (GMP preferred)

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives involving multiple senior stakeholders

• Strong program management and governance design experience

• Demonstrated ability to influence VP- and Senior Director-level leaders

• 8+ years of relevant experience and a BS in science or; 6+ years of relevant experience and a MS or MBA

• Experience should include participation in cross-functional project management activities.

• 2+ years of relevant experience and a PhD in a scientific field or a PharmD, DVM or MD degree.

Core Competencies

• Executive communication and presence

• Change management expertise

• Strong conflict resolution and influencing skills

• Ability to balance strategic oversight with operational detail

• High level of organization, rigor, and accountability

 

The salary range for this position is: $153,935.00 - $199,210.00. 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. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com. Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kitepharma.
 

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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 [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

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.