Associate Director, External Research Program

$173,910 - $225,060/Yr

1110 Kite Pharma, Inc. - Santa Monica, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Santa Monica, CA

About the position

The position oversees Kite's External Research Program (ERP), focusing on advancing the enterprise portfolio through external innovation and data generation. The role involves managing investigator-sponsored and collaborative studies, ensuring operational best practices, and fostering relationships with strategic alliance partners to enhance cancer therapy development.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day administration and operations for ISRs and collaborative studies from concept approval to study closure.
• Lead global, regional, and local Medical Affairs teams, Translational Medicine, and Safety to review protocols and research plans.
• Work with Kite & Gilead partners to carry out budget analyses, regulatory submission support, and contract negotiations.
• Ensure clinical demand accuracy, clinical logistics preparation, and Tech Ops readiness efforts by tracking institutional start-up activities and ensuring timely progress.
• Monitor study milestones and process monthly invoicing to support financial forecast accuracy.
• Communicate frequently with external institutions to assure compliance with research activities and provide direction regarding research, contractual, and milestone compliance.
• Act as Relationship Manager with key strategic collaboration partners to align on strategic objectives and support partner-of-choice delivery.
• Contribute process improvements and new project management approaches, methods, resources, and capabilities.
• Ensure data compliance and adherence to ERP processes, business conduct policies, and SOPs.
• Ensure effective, accurate, and timely communication to meet the needs of internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• Doctorate and 5+ years of project management experience OR Master's and 8+ years of project management experience OR Bachelor's and 10+ years of project management experience OR Associate and 12+ years of project management experience OR High School Diploma/GED and 14+ years of project management experience.
• 7+ years of relevant biopharmaceutical experience, including experience working on strategic initiatives, project planning, and/or project management.
• Strong understanding/experience in clinical and/or pre-clinical research, or experience in Clinical Research/Development, Medical Affairs.
• Demonstrated skills and success in relationship building, negotiation, and influencing.
• Proficient at synthesizing information to support leadership presentations and stakeholder communications.
• Excellent communication, project management, problem solving, and organizational skills, including management of multiple priorities and resources while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and resourceful - able to cultivate path forward in ambiguous circumstances and know when to ask for support or escalation.
• Experience of working in an international environment and distributed workforce.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge and skill with Smartsheet, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other reporting and tracking tools.

Benefits

• Company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
• Discretionary annual bonus.
• Discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role).
• Paid time off.