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
POSITION OVERVIEW:
As Associate Director/Director of Clinical Development at Kite Japan, you will play a pivotal leadership role in advancing clinical development efforts for innovative cell therapies, including CAR-T. You will be responsible for shaping and executing clinical and regulatory strategies in Japan, including leading the development of clinical development strategies and the planning and submission of the Japanese New Drug Application (JNDA). This role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams and global stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of clinical programs and regulatory milestones in Japan.
In this role, you will serve as the key clinical representative for Japan, working closely with cross-functional teams and global stakeholders to ensure alignment with global development plans while addressing local regulatory and medical needs. You will actively engage with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and investigators to inform clinical strategy, support study feasibility, and strengthen scientific and medical partnerships in Japan.
You will provide scientific and clinical leadership throughout the clinical development process—from strategic planning, study concept and protocol design, and trial execution, to data interpretation and regulatory submissions—ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of clinical milestones.
Key RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead the development and execution of clinical development strategies in Japan, ensuring alignment with global plans while addressing local regulatory and medical needs.
Serve as the clinical lead for Japan in cross-functional teams, providing strategic and scientific input across development stages.
Provide scientific and clinical guidance to cross-functional teams to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of clinical development milestones.
Develop and maintain the Target Product Profile (TPP) and Clinical Development Plan (CDP) for assigned products.
Design and review clinical trial protocols, clinical study reports, and responses to health authority inquiries, including the Clinical Trial Notification (CTN) submission in Japan.
Provide ongoing medical monitoring for clinical trials, including assessment of eligibility, toxicity management, and safety monitoring, with clinical oversight and data review to support patient safety and data integrity.
Collaborate with regulatory affairs to prepare for and participate in PMDA consultations and other regulatory interactions.
Lead the planning, coordination, and submission of the Japanese New Drug Application (JNDA), including preparation of regulatory documents and interactions with PMDA.
Analyze and interpret clinical data, and contribute to internal reviews, publications, and scientific presentations.
Represent Kite at scientific conferences and investigator meetings.
Ensure compliance with GCP, local regulatory requirements, and internal SOPs.
REQUIREMENTS:
We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. Please see the following for the qualifications and skills we seek for this role.
Minimum Education & Experience
MD, PharmD, or PhD in clinical research or a relevant scientific field, with 8+ years of scientific and/or drug development experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
MS with 10+ years, or BS/RN with 12+ years of relevant scientific and/or drug development experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
Experience in oncology, hematology, or cell therapy is highly preferred.
Significant experience working with and leading cross-functional project/program teams in life sciences, healthcare, or academia.
Experience taking the lead on study concept and protocol design, regulatory filings, clinical publications and presentations.
Demonstrated excellence in complex project management and in effectively managing multiple clinical project deliverables and priorities through matrix management and leadership.
Knowledge & Other Requirements
Has a thorough understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory requirements and their impact on development and execution of clinical trials in Japan.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Has core expertise in the assigned or related disease area, as evidenced by the ability to independently lead clinical development deliverables for one or more projects.
Strong communication and organizational skills. Demonstrable ability to effectively communicate project direction and status to varying organizational levels, including leadership teams.
Fluency in both Japanese and English.
Willingness to travel as needed.
For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:
Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.
Skills Required
- MD with 5+ years' drug development experience
- Experience in oncology, hematology, or cell therapy
- Significant experience leading cross-functional teams
- Experience in study concept and protocol design
- Demonstrated excellence in project management
- Thorough understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory requirements
- Fluency in both Japanese and English
Gilead Sciences Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Gilead Sciences and has not been reviewed or approved by Gilead Sciences.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive and fair relative to roles, frequently cited as a standout strength. Feedback suggests compensation compares well within biotech and is a notable reason employees feel valued.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Stock awards and an employee stock purchase program are consistently described as meaningful parts of total compensation. Equity components are seen as accessible and enhance long‑term wealth building.
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Retirement Support — A strong company 401(k) match with immediate vesting is often singled out as a differentiator. This support is perceived to significantly boost long‑term financial security.
Gilead Sciences Insights
What We Do
The way we see it, the impossible is not impossible. It’s simply what hasn’t been achieved yet. For more than 30 years, we’ve pursued it, chased it down, tackled it for answers and surrounded it for a way in. We have worked tirelessly to bring forward medicines for life-threatening diseases. Creating Possible drives everything we do. It’s evident in our mission and core values. This is how we built a culture of excellence that is fueled by a passion for improving lives of people around the world. For us, nothing is impossible – because of the people we work with, the communities we stand with and the partners we push forward with. Our ~12,000 employees band together through science, grit, compassion and courage to prove the impossible wrong. At Gilead, the tangible results of your contributions are evident. Where every individual matters. Where all employees can enhance their skills through ongoing development. And where we start every day with one question: “What’s next?” Social Media Guidelines: https://gilead.inc/3t1m7d5
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