Generous pay and supportive culture - Director Exelixis Employee Review

5.0
8 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Comp and benefits: Pay, bonus, equity (ESPP, RSU, PSU, LTIP) very generous. Work life balance: Beautiful new building on the bay, nice views and climate. Onsite gym and cafeteria. 5 days a week onsite with flexibility, both a summer shutdown and a winter shutdown. Commuter benefits such as vanpool and BART. Culture and values: colleagues feel like family. The value of the company is to help patients recover stronger and live longer, and that's huge if being part of a bigger cause is important to you. Diversity and inclusion - Differences are celebrated. Career opportunities - If you wait around for your manager to promote you then it will take a while to happen anywhere. There's plenty of career opportunities in Exelixis, and every time I've shown interest, I've been given new opportunities. Senior management: It's easy to know the leaders at Exelixis, they're very approachable. People here are smart and passionate people that are shaping the future of this company.

Cons

Not everyone is suited to work here, because the company hires and retains high achievers. If you're a high achiever then this is a pro instead of a con, as you will get to work with similar, driven people.

Explore other reviews about Exelixis

5.0
16 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Competitive Bay Area pay, great campus, excellent employee benefits, and accessible HQ in Alameda overlooking the water (close to OAK airport). In addition to a Winter Shutdown, they've added a Summer Shutdown, so it's a great time for employees to recharge. There are opportunities for growth and development if you are proactive and seek them out. In my time here, there have been changes and reorgs, but for good reasons and in line with the business's needs. I enjoy working here and have found a great community of colleagues. The company is also very heavily invested in community outreach and giving.

Cons

Exelixis is a 5-day onsite company, and for those wondering if it is enforced, yes, it is. That said, it's a modern, beautiful campus with a nice fitness center and a subsidized cafeteria. They offer commuter benefits and even carpooling programs among colleagues, in addition to a shuttle from the Peninsula.

1.0
21 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Being able to walk along the water at lunch while mentally preparing for interviews at other companies

Cons

So many. Too many to count. Start by naming practically everyone in the c-suite. Then go one level down and name about 75% of them. Another 50% at the next level. It’s a culture of backstabbing and cage fight competition, hidden behind words like “purpose,” “mission,” and “culture” as window dressing. They’ll be putting in entry/exit turnstiles in July ostensibly for “better security” but really to track time in office so that “leadership” can continue to show favoritism to the “rock stars” who only come in when they feel like it, or not at all, while the rest of their employees will receive feedback about their attendance problem. It’s a company that rewards performative exhibitions of power, escaping accountability for anything that goes wrong or isn’t going to be rewarded, and making sure things never improve through fear-based control and overly complicated layers of process upon process. Compensation under the VP level is below market for bio/pharma. Shareholders are 1000% more important than the worker bees toiling away in their thankless jobs, in a toxic environment.

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