Avoid at all costs unless you're about to be homeless or deported - Anonymous employee Exelixis Employee Review

1.0
1 Aug 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Decent pay and OK benefits

Cons

Extremely top-heavy (for example, team of 10 had 6 directors and 4 scientists). Cutting costs and reducing fringe benefits every year. Zero culture and the company doesn't try to encourage it either. Leaders take no responsibility for their mistakes and blame their direct reports instead. Projects go from 0 to 100 and 100 to 0 day to day. Science is stagnant because management are tone-deaf and do not listen to bench scientists. The only thing they prioritize is stock price; don't buy their BS about "patients first". Employees are expendable and will be laid off whenever leadership wants to cut costs to raise stock price. Extremely high turn over rate. Cabo makes a lot of money for now but I have zero expectations for the other candidates in the pipeline seeing how the company functions and treats their scientists. Employees are forced to be in the office 5 days a week.

Explore other reviews about Exelixis

5.0
29 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I I have learned a lot and grown during my time at Exelixis. I work hard every day with my team, and I am motivated to do so because of our mission. We give our patients more time with those they love. What’s better than that? I work alongside some great folks, and I am excited to see what the future holds for us. Our benefits and the benefits team are excellent. Good pay, a beautiful campus, and meaningful work. Are there issues? Sure, every organization has them, but I am happy here.

Cons

Internal support structures like a central communication hub are missing but are currently being developed.

4.0
30 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I read all the reviews before, during, and after the interview process, and after accepting my offer, and found that much of what people are complaining about isn't unique to Exelixis. On-site expectations aren't unique, constant change isn't unique, and leaders who aren't perfect aren't unique. What is unique is the genuinely kind and committed staff, significant investment in excellent benefits and perks, dogs allowed in non-lab environments, and people who spend their careers here. My advice for job seekers: don't be scared. Reach out to your network and ask them directly about their experiences. Bitter Glassdoor reviews didn't dissuade me, and I'm glad I didn't listen.

Cons

Some teams are extremely top-heavy with titles that don't exist in the industry, and some leaders are more interested in flexing their control than leading with empathy.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All