Overall good experience - Contract Manager Genentech Employee Review

4.0
Mar 7, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company has some serious resources and offers lot of perks to employees, e.g. excellent benefits, tasty and affordable on-campus dining, free shuttles from San Francisco. Most employees were pleasant and there was a comfortable and casual environment.

Cons

Some of the folks you have to interact with can be brusque and outright rude because they think this style will get results. While there's some logic to this, ultimately, it's very unpleasant to have to work with these people on a regular basis. There was lots of turnover in my group which meant that new employees were coming on board who needed to be trained. This was going on at the same that work was ramping up for the group. So you ended up with too much to do, co-workers who didn't always know what they were supposed to be doing, and had folks from other groups and divisions breathing down your neck as you worked away. This led to dissatisfaction which then led to more folks leaving. I think this group finally stabilized some time after I left, but I'm not sure of the dynamics now.

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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