Jonathan Walkup, MBA, Cpc
About Jonathan Walkup, MBA, Cpc
Jonathan Walkup, MBA, Cpc, is the Director of Process Development at Kite Pharma, where he oversees various operational teams. He has extensive experience in process development and organizational change, having previously held senior roles at Grant Thornton LLP, IBM, and PwC.
Current Role at Kite Pharma
Jonathan Walkup serves as the Director of Process Development at Kite Pharma since 2021. In this role, he leads the Business Operations team, focusing on enabling strategic objectives. His responsibilities include overseeing Process Development Project Management, Lab Operations, and Knowledge Management teams. His leadership is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and supporting the company's mission in the biopharmaceutical sector.
Previous Experience at Grant Thornton LLP
Jonathan Walkup worked at Grant Thornton LLP in various capacities. He served as Senior Manager for one year from 2017 to 2018 in the Greater New York City Area. Following this, he held the position of Director from 2018 to 2021 in Dallas, Texas, where he contributed to the firm's consulting services and operational improvements.
Career Background at IBM and Other Companies
Before his tenure at Grant Thornton, Jonathan Walkup was an Associate Partner at IBM from 2001 to 2017. He contributed to the commercialization of IBM's 'Smarter Enterprise' capability, developing strategies and operating models. His earlier career includes roles at iXL Studios as Vice President and at PwC as Managing Consultant, where he led significant change programs in various industries.
Educational Background and Certifications
Jonathan Walkup holds an MBA from Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business, where he studied Finance. He also studied Liberal Arts at the University of Iowa, earning a BS degree. Additionally, he studied Commerce Architecture and achieved the Certified eCommerce Architect designation from Southern Methodist University. He is currently pursuing an Executive Certificate in Organizational Change Strategy and Organizational Leadership at Harvard Business School Executive Education.
Notable Achievements in Change Management
Jonathan Walkup has developed and implemented comprehensive change programs in various organizations. Notably, he led a global SAP/IBM transformation initiative that standardized business processes, resulting in an annual benefit exceeding $90 million. He also directed a change program for a leading telecommunications company in Australia, focusing on procurement functions and supply chain transformation.