Sr Director, Public Affairs, External Affairs

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.
 

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.
 

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description
 

At Gilead our pursuit of a healthier world for all people has yielded a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary improvements in HIV treatment and prevention as well as advancements in therapies for viral and inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.

We set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world’s most devastating diseases, united in our commitment to

confronting the largest public health challenges of our day and improving the lives of patients for generations to come.

Gilead is looking for a Senior Director of Public Affairs, External Affairs to develop and deliver structure public affairs and stakeholder engagement plans which support U.S prioritized objectives. They will promote communications campaigns to promote an external environment that enables growth for Gilead’s U.S. business. They will lead the development and execution of clear, compelling communications that will create air cover and drive U.S. federal and state public policy priorities. This role blends strategic communications leadership with hands‑on content development, ensuring that complex policy topics are translated into accessible, persuasive campaigns and narratives that advance Gilead’s reputation and policy objectives. 

The successful candidate will oversee the full lifecycle of communications - everything from planning production to performance - while serving as a critical connector across Public Affairs, Commercial and Government Affairs. This role reports to the Vice President, Corporate & Enterprise Communications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Public Affairs Communications & Strategy 

• Develop and execute proactive, integrated public affairs communication strategies and content that articulate and support Gilead’s legislative, regulatory and public policy objectives, ensuring alignment with Gilead’s enterprise priorities and reputation goals and key groups including government affairs, commercial, policy and communications. 

• Translate complex policy topics into accessible, persuasive narratives for external audiences, including policymakers, advocacy organizations, community groups, trade associations, think tanks, and media. 

• Monitor and synthesize public affairs developments to inform proactive communication planning. 

• Identify opportunities, venues and creative communications tactics to meet Gilead’s objectives. 

• Strengthen message discipline, ensuring alignment across Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Legal, and functional partners. 

• Advise senior leaders and internal partners on best practices and creative ways of communicating and activating campaigns to create a favorable operating environment.  

• Ensure Public Affairs communication efforts complement Government Affairs’ policy, trade, and coalition building strategies. 

 

External Communications & Stakeholder Engagement 

• Support the development of content for policymakers, advocacy groups, NGOs, and external experts, ensuring clarity, credibility, and alignment with enterprise priorities. 

• Identify and shape opportunities to amplify Gilead’s voice in policy discussions through earned, owned, and shared channels – via working with third parties, advocates, and creating coalitions. 

• Partner with enterprise communicators to ensure consistency across therapeutic, corporate, and reputation driving messaging. 

 

Issues, Crisis & Reputation Support 

• Support issue monitoring and response related to emerging risks and evolving narratives that may impact Gilead’s reputation; contribute to scenario planning, response materials, and executive communications. 

• Ensure policy-relevant issues are integrated into broader corporate reputation strategies in coordination with Public Affairs Leadership. 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• 10+ years of experience in social media, digital communications, or content strategy. 

• Strong understanding of key Beltway publications, policy media ecosystems, and digital/social media targeting capabilities to effectively reach policymakers, influencers, and specialized audiences 

• Proven ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on content creation. 

• Comfortable supporting senior leaders in high-visibility, high-stakes environments.  

• Exceptional written, visual and verbal communication skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to partner cross-functionally, collaborate and influence stakeholders at all levels.  

• Knowledge of the regulatory, political, or social responsibility landscapes impacting business and reputation. 

• Excellence in translating policy and complex science into compelling, credible narratives. 

 

Preferred: 

• Background in public affairs, corporate communications, reputation management, consulting, political campaigns, PR agencies or government relations. 

• Experience in a global or highly matrixed corporate environment. 

 

Basic Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s Degree and 14+ years of experience, or 

• Master’s Degree and 12+ years of experience 

 

Location: Washington, DC 

People Leader Accountabilities:

•Create Inclusion - knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the

way they manage their teams.

•Develop Talent - understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current

performance and future potential. They ensure employees are receiving the feedback and insight needed to grow, develop and

realize their purpose.

•Empower Teams - connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizational objectives, and holding

them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem.

The salary range for this position is:

Other US Locations: $221,000.00 - $286,000.00.

 

Bay Area: $243,100.00 - $314,600.00.

Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

For jobs in the United States:

Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Gilead Sciences will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the  legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.
 

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.

Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.