
Director, Quality Control- Stability and Reference Materials
United States - California - La Verne, United States - California - Foster CityQualityRegularJob Description
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
At Gilead our pursuit of a healthier world for all people has yielded a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary improvements in HIV treatment and prevention as well as advancements in therapies for viral and inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.
We set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world’s most devastating diseases, united in our commitment to confronting the largest public health challenges of our day and improving the lives of patients for generations to come.
As a Director, Quality Control , at Gilead you will be accountable for the global strategy, governance, and long-term performance of Stability Program Management and Reference Standards & Analytical Controls across Gilead’s development and commercial portfolio.
Scope of Responsibilities
1. Global Process Ownership, Design & Governance
Define and own the enterprise-wide strategy, vision, and multi‑year roadmap for Stability Program Management and Reference Standards & Analytical Controls, aligned with Gilead’s Quality and business strategies.
Design, own, and maintain global policies, standards, procedures, governance models, and decision frameworks that ensure consistent, compliant execution across development and commercial networks.
Serve as the final global authority for interpretation, application, and risk-based decision-making related to Stability and Reference Materials processes.
Establish and maintain clear global governance, RACI, and decision rights, resolving cross-site and cross-functional complexity.
Ensure alignment and integration with upstream and downstream Quality and Technical processes through close collaboration with other Global BPOs.
2. Implementation, Enablement & Adherence
Oversee and direct global implementation strategies for new or revised processes, ensuring scalable, sustainable adoption.
Sponsor development of training frameworks, role-based enablement, certification expectations, and change management approaches in partnership with Quality Learning and OCM.
Provide expert-level guidance on complex or ambiguous process application, including escalation and resolution of systemic adherence issues.
Drive global harmonization and simplification, including alignment across internal sites and external/contract testing laboratories.
3. Process Performance, Monitoring & Risk Management
Define, monitor, and govern enterprise-level KPIs and performance indicators for Stability and Reference Materials.
Provide portfolio-level oversight of process health by integrating data from audits, inspections, deviations, investigations, complaints, stability trends, and reference standard performance.
Identify, assess, and communicate systemic quality and compliance risks with potential regulatory or supply impact.
Translate technical risk signals into business-relevant insights to support senior leadership decision-making.
4. Inspection Readiness & Regulatory Engagement
Act as the global process authority during regulatory inspections and health authority interactions related to Stability and Reference Materials.
Lead and coordinate inspection strategy, messaging, and responses for assigned process areas.
Proactively monitor and interpret evolving global regulatory expectations and industry trends, advising leadership on strategic implications and required actions.
Represent Gilead externally in regulatory, industry, or benchmarking forums, as appropriate.
5. Continuous Improvement, Innovation & Transformation
Set the enterprise continuous improvement and transformation agenda for Stability and Reference Materials.
Lead continuous improvement and change management, applying Lean principles to process design and execution.
Actively seek and incorporate feedback from users and stakeholders; facilitate the sharing and adoption of best practices and lessons learned across the global network.
Create and direct improvement strategies, initiatives, and roadmaps that enhance compliance, efficiency, and effectiveness, including adoption of new and emerging technologies to automate, error-proof, or enable disruptive improvements.
Lead or sponsor global projects and programs in support of Quality transformation and enterprise Quality strategy.
6. Cross-Functional Leadership & Network Management
Lead and sustain a global, matrixed network of senior SMEs and functional leaders, influencing without direct authority.
Act as a trusted advisor to Quality, Technical Operations, Regulatory, and R&D leadership on Stability- and reference-related strategy and risk.
Provide coaching and strategic guidance to stakeholders, shaping consistent, high-quality execution and organizational capability.
Resolve complex, cross-functional issues through enterprise-level influence and alignment.
7. Digital Enablement & Quality Systems Oversight
Partner with IT system owners to manage business requirements and BAU processes for supporting Quality IT systems (e.g., LIMS, QMS, data trending platforms).
Ensure supporting Quality IT systems meet GxP and regulatory requirements.
Approve IT system changes and the release of new or revised functionality into the production environment, ensuring validated and compliant deployment.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor’s degree in a Life Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field and 12+ years experience in Quality Control, Analytical Development, Stability, or Quality Systems within regulated environments.
OR Masters' Degree in a Life Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field and 10 + Years' Experience in Quality Control, Analytical Development, Stability, or Quality Systems within regulated environments.
OR PhD in a Life Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field and 8 + Years' Experience in Quality Control, Analytical Development, Stability, or Quality Systems within regulated environments
Demonstrated success operating at a strategic, enterprise level with global accountability.
Recognized expertise in ICH stability expectations and reference standard governance.
Proven experience advising senior leadership and representing processes during regulatory inspections.
Preferred
Prior experience as a Global Business Process Owner, enterprise Quality lead, or equivalent director-level role.
Experience leading enterprise transformation or digital Quality initiatives.
Experience with global digital quality systems (LIMS, QMS, statistical trending platforms).
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence strategy across functions and levels.
Key Competencies
End-to-End Process Ownership & Systems Thinking
Global Leadership & Influence
Quality, Compliance & Risk-Based Decision Making
Data-Driven Performance Management
Change Leadership, Communication & Continuous Improvement
Travel Requirements
~10–20% travel for audits, inspections, workshops, site harmonization activities, and process deployment.
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.
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