Wil Atherton, MBA
About Wil Atherton, MBA
Wil Atherton, MBA, serves as the Head of Corporate Operational Excellence at Kite Pharma, where he has worked since 2023. He has extensive experience in operational leadership roles at companies such as Genentech and Novartis, focusing on resource management and strategic initiatives.
Current Role at Kite Pharma
Wil Atherton serves as the Head of Corporate Operational Excellence at Kite Pharma, a position he has held since 2023. His role is based in Santa Monica, California, where he focuses on enhancing operational processes and ensuring alignment with corporate objectives. Atherton's responsibilities include overseeing operational strategies that drive efficiency and effectiveness within the organization.
Previous Experience at Genentech
Prior to his current role, Wil Atherton worked at Genentech from 2007 to 2018. He held various positions, including Chief of Staff and Head of Medical Business Operations for U.S. Medical Affairs, and Head of Global Resource and Capacity Management. His tenure at Genentech involved managing critical operations and strategic initiatives that contributed to the company's medical affairs.
Professional Background at Novartis
Wil Atherton worked at Novartis from 2018 to 2023 as the VP and Global Head of Medical Business Operations and Functional Excellence. His work included spearheading portfolio strategy management and project management. He implemented procedures to reduce redundancy, improve accuracy, and enhance efficiency within the organization. Atherton also focused on employee engagement and organizational complexity.
Educational Qualifications
Wil Atherton holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Saint Mary's College of California, where he studied Finance. He also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from San Jose State University. His educational background supports his expertise in operational excellence and strategic management.
Achievements in Operational Excellence
Throughout his career, Wil Atherton has achieved significant milestones in operational excellence. At Novartis, he reduced the volume of Standard Operating Procedures by 30% and increased employee engagement by 11%. He also contributed to headcount savings of 20% and improved decision-making speed by 50%. These achievements reflect his commitment to enhancing organizational performance.