Director, Biobanking and Sample Management

Gilead Sciences•Foster City, CA

About The Position

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. Gilead Research is seeking an experienced and exceptional scientist at the Director level to lead Biobanking and Sample Management (BSM). This role is responsible for enabling the effective transformation of human biospecimens and associated data into high‑quality assets that support drug discovery, translational research, and clinical development. The successful candidate will lead the BSM group in a highly collaborative, matrixed environment, supporting Biomarker Sciences, Discovery Research, Pathobiology, and clinical programs through expert biospecimen management, strong operational delivery, fit‑for‑purpose infrastructure, and effective vendor partnerships. The BSM group provides biospecimen support for samples derived from internal clinical trials as well as from external vendors and academic collaborations. As translational research continues to expand at Gilead, this role will also be responsible for building and scaling biobanking capabilities, infrastructure, and systems to meet evolving scientific and program needs.

Requirements

Demonstrated success in building, scaling, and modernizing scientific or operational capabilities
Deep expertise in human biospecimen biobanking and specimen lifecycle management
Strong understanding of translational research workflows, biomarker development, and clinical interfaces
Experience with biobanking informatics systems (LIMS, databases) and data‑driven operations
Proven people leadership in highly matrixed, cross-functional environments
Strong business acumen with the ability to balance scientific rigor, operational efficiency, and strategic investment
Excellent communication, influence, and stakeholder management skills
Bachelor's Degree and Twelve Years' Experience OR Masters' Degree and Ten Years' Experience OR PhD and Eight Years' Experience
PhD or MD with 10+ years, MS/BS with 15+ years of experience in a relevant scientific discipline, including significant experience in the biopharmaceutical industry
5+ years of people management experience with demonstrated leadership impact
Direct experience in human research biospecimen biobanking and/or clinical trial biospecimen management

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting translational research and discovery research preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the Biobanking and Sample Management group within Research.
Provide people management and organizational leadership for the team responsible for human biospecimen receipt, accessioning, processing, storage, distribution, disposition tracking, and vendor‑managed sample acquisition.
Develop, implement, and continuously improve efficient and compliant business processes to support current and future research and translational needs.
Build and scale biobanking capabilities and infrastructure (physical, operational, and digital) to support increasing volume, complexity, and translational use of biospecimens.
Oversee biospecimen management database systems to ensure data integrity, traceability, and regulatory compliance.
Ensure controlled document management, training curricula, and operational practices support GCP compliance within the Research organization.
Collaborate closely with Biomarker Sciences, Discovery Research, Pathobiology, Bioanalytical and Biomarker Operations, Clinical Data Management, and Regulatory/Compliance groups to understand needs, align priorities, and resolve issues.
Provide subject‑matter expertise and strategic input at biomarker and translational governance forums and sub‑team meetings.
Serve as a recognized internal expert in biobanking, biospecimen governance, informed consent requirements, sample management policies, and vendor sample acquisition.
Provide oversight of the Volunteer On‑Site Blood Donation Program.
Train and provide quality oversight for PBMC isolation laboratories supporting clinical trials.

Benefits

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.

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