Sr Director, Strategic Communications - Chief Commercial Officer

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.

We are seeking an exceptional, experienced, and strategic senior communications leader to help shape and execute Gilead’s commercial communications and executive narrative during high-impact business moments. The role is responsible for developing and executing a proactive, integrated communications strategy that support Commercial priorities, including product launches, market expansion, performance milestones, and other critical business initiatives. 

The Senior Director, Strategic Communications serves as a key and senior advisor and collaborator to the Chief Commercial Officer and key partners across Commercial, Public Affairs, Legal, Finance, Government Affairs, and other functions. Acting as a trusted consultant, the role shapes and advances Gilead’s commercial narrative and strategy, business performance messaging, and market positioning, ensuring alignment with business objectives, market realities, and clearly articulate Gilead’s value to customers, partners, and stakeholders. 

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the ideal candidate brings deep experience in executive and enterprise communications and a strong understanding of commercial strategy and market dynamics. The role leads through expertise and influence, translating complex business, scientific, and operational topics into clear, compelling executive-level communications that support business priorities, organizational change, emerging issues and reputational considerations. 

This role will lead a coordinated 360° communications approach and strategy in partnership with Gilead’s Communications Center of Excellence, supporting executive visibility and engagement tied to commercial priorities. The role will report to the Vice President, Corporate Communications and partner closely with Commercial leadership.

Key Responsibilities 

• Strategic Commercial Communications: Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that support commercial priorities and during business-critical moments, including product launches, market expansion, key business milestones, organizational change and emerging issues. 

• Executive Counsel: Serve as a primary strategic and trusted advisor to the Chief Commercial Officer and Commercial Leadership Team on business positioning, narrative development, stakeholder engagement, and reputational considerations. 

• Content Development: Lead the creation, review, and refinement of executive-level materials including speeches, business updates, town halls, talking points, Q&A documents, and external thought leadership that support long-range commercial priorities. 

• Commercial Strategy Translation: Translate commercial strategy, performance priorities, and market dynamics into clear and compelling communications aligned with business objectives. 

• Anticipate risks and opportunities, independently identifying communications needs and proactively shaping executive narratives. 

• 360° Communications Activation: Partner across the Communications Center of Excellence, including Internal Communications, Media Relations, Digital and Social, and Issues Management, to ensure coordinated execution across all channels. 

• Issues and Business-Critical Communications: Support communications strategy and execution during sensitive or business-critical situations impacting the Commercial organization. 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a central liaison across Commercial, Public Affairs, Legal, Finance, and other functions to ensure alignment and consistent communications. 

• Serve as a senior communications consultant and representative on highly significant matters related to commercial strategy, messaging, and executive visibility. 

• Executive Preparation: Support executive preparation and coaching for internal and external engagements, including industry events, media interactions, and leadership forums. 

• Measurement and Insights: Leverage data, stakeholder insights, and performance metrics to assess and refine communications strategies. 

• Operate with minimal direction, exercising sound judgment in sensitive, highvisibility, or reputationally significant situations. 

• Provide recommendations that often influence financial, employee, and public perception outcomes. 

• Agency Management: Manage external agencies and advisors supporting strategic communications programs and commercial milestones. 

 

Skills, Knowledge and Expectations 

• Demonstrated and deep expertise supporting executive, strategic or commercial communications within a global, matrixed organization. 

• Viewed as a subject matter expert capable of influencing senior leaders through credibility, insight, and judgment. 

• Demonstrated ability to develop solutions to complex, nonroutine problems that may set precedent for future decisions. 

• Strong understanding of commercial strategy, product lifecycle, and market dynamics, with healthcare or biopharma experience strongly preferred. 

• Proven ability to translate complex business priorities into clear and effective communications. 

• Experience supporting executive visibility across internal and external channels. 

• Exceptional strategic writing and editing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information rapidly and clearly.  

• Sound judgment and composure in managing sensitive or high-impact situations. 

• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills. 

• Experience leading through influence and driving alignment across cross-functional teams. 

• Proven ability to operate independently, manage ambiguity, and deliver highimpact outcomes through influence rather than authority. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage agency partners and complex communications programs. 

 

 

Basic Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree and 14+ years of experience, or   
Master’s degree and 12+ years of experience, or   
12+ years of experience in strategic communications, executive communications, corporate affairs, or related roles within a publicly traded company or agency environment; healthcare or biopharmaceutical experience strongly preferred. 

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: $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.