great place to work, bureaocratic - Associate Director Genentech Employee Review

5.0
Mar 31, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

it is a great place to work. Good people, great company values and mission. Solving cancer and other unmet medical needs. growth opportunities & learning

Cons

overly complex management and bureaucracy senior management disconnected from reality of what it takes to get the work done. old white boys from Switzerland are in charge. all important stuff happens in Basel

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Genentech Response
3y
Thank you for your constructive feedback. We understand that being a part of a large and complex organization can sometimes lead to processes that seem systematic and linear. As part of Roche and a company that is regulated by the FDA, we must take into account a multitude of considerations that can impact both our timeline and creativity. We’re striving to streamline our process while maintaining the highest level of quality and safety. Your understanding and flexibility in remaining agile are greatly appreciated. Thanks again for your review.

Explore other reviews about Genentech

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great culture and work environment.

Cons

PhD is necessary oftentimes for advancement.

3.0
May 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Genentech's origin story and mission are genuinely inspiring — few companies can point to such a meaningful historical arc in medicine. Patient engagement is taken seriously and feels authentic, not performative. The campus is beautiful and the culture has real warmth.

Cons

DDA is operating with significant gaps. First, the foundational data infrastructure is not mature enough to support the ambitions being set for the team. Second, the measurement culture has gotten ahead of the methodology, and no one in a position of authority seems to be asking hard questions about whether the numbers actually mean what they're being presented as meaning. Third, some management feel disconnected from the work itself, lacking the knowledge, hands-on experience, or relevant credentials. Individually any one of these would be manageable. Together these create an environment where it's hard to do rigorous work, rather work is performative, and be recognized for it.

3
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