Sr Manager, Congress Management

Gilead Sciences•Foster City, CA

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Global Congress Center of Excellence manages execution of congress operations across Gilead and Kite. The role supports the establishment and coordination of Core Congress Committees and Sub-Teams to create a standardized, consistent, and best-in-class congress planning process. It reports to the Director, Congress Orchestration, within the Global Congress Center of Excellence, part of Global Commercial Operations. The role drives planning and execution for global Tier 1 and Tier 2 congresses, coordinating across functions and therapeutic areas. Responsibilities include committee and sub-team leadership, association engagement, exhibit booth and onsite operations, project and budget management, congress communications and metrics, and partnership with Compliance, Legal, Regulatory, U.S. and affiliate teams, and Kite. Travel is up to 30%, including domestic and international meetings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and eight years of experience, or a master’s degree and six years of experience; an advanced degree (e.g., PharmD or PhD) is also listed as a basic qualification.
Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with demonstrated success influencing across a matrixed global organization.
Demonstrated ability to lead high-visibility strategic projects independently and translate strategies into actionable plans with defined resources, tactics, and measurable outcomes.
Experience engaging senior and executive leadership and presenting strategic plans clearly and concisely for endorsement.
Strong strategic and analytical mindset, including the ability to interpret complex issues and provide innovative cross-functional recommendations.
Demonstrated project management excellence, including managing multiple priorities and delivering quality results in fast-paced environments.
Expertise in global pharmaceutical planning, including developing and executing strategic and tactical plans and managing budgets.
Ability to champion inclusion, influence without authority, empower teams, drive collaboration, and demonstrate emotional intelligence and professional maturity.
U.S. experience is essential.
Willingness to travel up to 30%, including domestic and international meetings.

Nice To Haves

Relevant pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device industry experience in congress management, operations, and/or marketing.
Regional or global experience.

Responsibilities

Drive project execution and cross-functional coordination for global Tier 1 and Tier 2 congresses.
Partner with the Congress Orchestrator to develop congress strategies and recommendations aligned with therapeutic area objectives.
Maintain event timelines and ensure deliverables are met.
Oversee compliance reviews and VEM processes.
Support and lead Core Congress Committees and Sub-Teams, ensuring clear objectives and alignment with overall strategy.
Facilitate planning cadence for therapeutic area-specific meetings, exhibit booths, and symposia.
Serve as the primary point of contact for associations regarding timelines, sponsorships, and program details.
Manage exhibit booth execution and onsite operations, including agency coordination and run of show for internal meetings.
Own and maintain asset trackers, congress master decks, and pre- and post-conference materials.
Lead project management platforms such as ASANA and oversee budget management, financial reconciliation, and cross-charge processes.
Manage work order and purchase order processes for non-logistics vendors and congress sponsorships.
Assist in developing congress communication plans, including leadership updates, newsletters, and meeting agendas.
Establish and track metrics to inform future decision-making and advance the Global CoE toward best-in-class operations.
Partner with Compliance, Legal, and Regulatory to ensure activities and materials meet regulatory standards.
Coordinate with the Global Congress CoE, U.S. and affiliate teams, and Kite to ensure seamless planning and execution.
Travel up to 30%, including domestic and international meetings.
Model inclusive behaviors and embed diverse perspectives into collaboration and decision-making.
Build trust across functions, gain alignment, and deliver results without formal reporting lines.
Align teams with organizational priorities, remove barriers, and foster accountability and cross-functional collaboration.
Demonstrate adaptability, empathy, sound judgment, composure, and clear, respectful communication.
As a people leader, develop employee talent through feedback and coaching, and align team goals with organizational objectives.