Job Description

We are seeking an Associate Director, Business Strategy & Operations, for the Global Analytics & Commercial Operations (GACO) team at Kite, reporting to the Vice President of Global Analytics & Commercial Operations. This opportunity is based at Kite’s HQ in Santa Monica, CA but a remote arrangement may be considered, and include travel to HQ (2-3X per quarter).

In this role, you will serve as a key business partner to the VP and be immersed in strategic and operational elements as well as take a lead role in driving key functional projects and supporting the development and execution of strategic planning. This role is critical in anticipating issues, formulating solutions, and ensuring key projects and initiatives are progressed quickly and to a high standard.

As a member of the GACO leadership team, you will work together with the VP of GACO to drive continuous improvement in team collaboration, communication, and organizational maturity. You will also drive strong internal and cross-functional relationships and alignment with senior-level stakeholders; champion data-driven decision making; and ensure colleagues and stakeholders are informed, engaged, and energized.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as chief project and business manager for Global Analytics & Commercial Operations (GACO) activities, including planning and leading all aspects of our business planning and functional review processes. Specific activities include but are not limited to:

• Targeted focus on driving business results and strategic initiatives through operational rigor, collaboration, and cross functional/leadership alignment

• Lead initiatives and continuous improvement related to business operations, including establishing best practices and assessing key performance metrics

• Identify areas within the business to drive performance and efficiency improvements to unlock productivity and accelerate execution, supporting project management of these initiatives

• Drive the development of Commercial and department goals and manage/track deliverables and performance aligned to those goals

• Support the development and execution of the Monthly and Quarterly Business Review cycles

• Partner with Finance in building business cases, budget planning and financial management

• Develop and maintain detailed work plans on key initiatives which include identification of project tasks, clear milestones, and assignments of work project responsibilities, schedules, plans, resources, budget, and status reports

• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time, including international travel

Basic Qualifications

• Advanced scientific degree (i.e., MD, PharmD, PhD) and 2+ years of experience OR

• Master’s degree and 8 years of experience OR

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of experience OR

• High school degree and 14 years of experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology markets; prior oncology or rare disease experience preferred

• Demonstrated experience in Project Management, and familiarity with fundamental project management principles

• Prior management consulting experience strongly preferred

• Dynamic individual with a strong track record of strategic work experience across a variety of settings and topics in the pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry

• Proven ability to effectively manage sophisticated and ambiguous projects, influence stakeholders without authority, effectively network across the organization, and partner with leaders in a fast-paced environment

• Flexible and able to adapt to the changing needs of the organization

• Highly resourceful and strategic thinker with strong emotional intelligence, operational rigor, and project management capabilities

• Advanced Microsoft Excel/Smartsheet’s and PowerPoint capabilities

• Strong leadership and communication skills across functions and leadership teams. Comfort in business and technical discussions.

• Experience driving large initiatives, including framing the problem and conducting research / analysis to build and drive the business and operational plans through successful execution

• Ability to handle confidential and proprietary information using excellent discretion and judgment

• Self-starter who thrives in a forward-thinking, collaborative, and innovative high-growth environment

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