Just can't say enough bad things about this place - Anonymous employee Exelixis Employee Review

1.0
Sep 5, 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The dedicated people in King of Prussia and the supportive mid‑level personnel in Alameda.

Cons

Management at the Alameda site has created a toxic work environment where employees often feel unsafe making independent decisions due to fear of repercussions. KOP personnel were frequently dismissed or disregarded, despite the site being established, and staff hired specifically to leverage their expertise. This dynamic contributed to the eventual closure of the KOP site. I would caution any prospective employees to carefully evaluate the culture before accepting a role here.

Explore other reviews about Exelixis

5.0
Jun 16, 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
Jun 21, 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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