Vice President, Global Research, Development & Therapeutic Area Public 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

As the primary Public Affairs liaison to the R&D organization, the V ice   P resident   will develop and execute an integrated internal and external communications strategy that advances enterprise priorities, strengthens trust in our science, and enables business readiness for key pipeline and regulatory events. This leader will provide senior counsel to R&D and enterprise leaders on reputation and risk, set the operating model and governance for R&D communications globally, and build a high-performing team with deep scientific, regulatory, and issues-management   expertise .

This highly visible leadership role sits within Public Affairs, partners closely with R&D leadership (Discovery, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Biometrics, Safety, and Operations), and collaborates across Corporate Communications, Internal Communications, Government Affairs/Policy, Medical Affairs, Legal, Compliance, Investor Relations, and regional/country teams.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Executive Leadership, Governance & Strategic Counsel

Serve as the accountable executive owner for global R&D public affairs and communications strategy, with clear decision rights, governance, and escalation pathways.

Act as a senior counselor to the Head s   of   Research and Development   and   other   leadership on reputation, transparency, disclosure readiness, and external dynamics   impacting   scientific and development priorities.

Establish annual   objectives , measurable KPIs, and   a performance   management rhythm to ensure strategic focus, accountability, and high-impact outcomes.

Product Development & Regulatory Milestone Communications

Lead communications for high-stakes product development and regulatory milestones, including:

Trial initiations, protocol milestones, interim analyses, and top-line and full data readouts

End-of-Phase meetings, breakthrough/fast track designations, and advisory committee preparation

Regulatory submissions, approvals, complete response letters, labeling updates, and post-marketing commitments

Clinical holds, safety updates, and significant development program changes

Ensure communications are scientifically   accurate , compliant, and appropriately sequenced across internal and external audiences, coordinating with Regulatory, Medical, Legal, Compliance, Investor Relations, and Commercial partners.

Lead scenario planning, message development, and executive preparation (talking points, Q&A, holding statements, and backgrounders) for milestone announcements.

Drive consistent global execution by aligning with regional/country teams and   establishing   scalable playbooks.

Scientific, Platform & Pipeline Narrative Development

Shape and steward an enterprise R&D narrative that reinforces Gilead’s scientific ambition, innovation platforms, and commitment to unmet medical   need .

Translate complex science into clear, credible, audience-specific storytelling for employees, media, policymakers, patient communities, academic experts, and other external stakeholders.

Partner with R&D and Medical Affairs to elevate scientific thought leadership, congress strategies (as   appropriate for   Public Affairs), and responsible communications around emerging science.

R&D Internal Communications & Change Leadership

Lead internal communications for R&D strategy, portfolio evolution, organizational changes, and key progress updates to build clarity, engagement, and confidence.

Enable leadership communications for senior R&D leaders (town halls, written communications, narrative frameworks, and leader toolkits).

Ensure   internal and external narratives are aligned to reinforce transparency and trust.

Issues Management, Crisis Preparedness & Rapid Response

Own the issues management approach for R&D-related topics (e.g., safety events, trial setbacks, pipeline reprioritizations, regulatory actions, scientific controversy).

Lead crisis preparedness, including monitoring, escalation, cross-functional war-room operations, and post-incident learning.

Provide real-time counsel and communications leadership during high-pressure events, ensuring disciplined messaging and coordinated execution.

Advocacy & Policy Interface for Science and Innovation

Partner with Government Affairs/Policy and other stakeholders to support science- and regulation-adjacent advocacy priorities (e.g., clinical trial participation and diversity, research ecosystems, regulatory science, innovation policy).

Help integrate health equity and patient access considerations into R&D storytelling in partnership with relevant teams, ensuring credibility and   appropriate governance .

Data-Driven Decision Making & Measurement

Leverage insights, trends, and analytics to inform strategy and provide leaders with real-time counsel on external developments.

Define and track KPIs for R&D communications (readiness, reach, sentiment, narrative pull-through, stakeholder impact), using data to   optimize   plans and   demonstrate   value.

Cross-Functional & Global Alignment

Serve as the bridge between Public Affairs centers of   expertise   and R&D stakeholders to ensure consistent, enterprise-aligned communications.

Align with Investor Relations and Finance, as appropriate, to support market-sensitive disclosures and ensure rigorous coordination.

Build strong partnerships across regional/country public affairs teams to support local regulatory and development milestones while   maintaining   global consistency.

Team Leadership, Capability Building & Operating Model

Build and lead a high-performing, future-ready R&D communications team with strong scientific fluency and modern communications capabilities.

Develop talent through coaching, clear   objectives , stretch opportunities, and succession planning.

Oversee agency and vendor partners; manage budget and resource allocation to ensure operational excellence and strategic prioritization.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 16+ years of progressively responsible communications/public affairs experience; academic background in a scientific discipline preferred; advanced degree ( Maste r’s   or PhD) a plus.

Demonstrated leadership of R&D, clinical development, and regulatory milestone communications in pharmaceutical/biotech or closely related settings.

Strong command of global regulatory and disclosure environments and the intersection of science, policy, and public   perception .

Proven ability to translate complex science into clear, credible messaging across internal and external audiences.

Track record   advising senior leaders with sound judgment, executive presence, and the ability to influence without authority.

Deep experience in   issues   management and crisis communications, including high-stakes, time-sensitive, and market-sensitive scenarios.

Proven ability to recruit, develop, and lead high-performing teams, and to manage agencies, budgets, and resources effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience communicating in or across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities (e.g., small molecules, biologics, cell/gene therapy, oncology, virology, inflammation).

Strong understanding of media, digital, and social strategies in healthcare and science communications.

Familiarity with how advocacy, patient engagement, and health equity intersect with R&D and clinical development.

People Leader Accountabilities:

Create Inclusion : Model inclusive leadership and embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into how the team   operates , makes decisions, and develops talent.

Develop Talent :    Understand   employees’ skills, aspirations, and potential; provide coaching, feedback, and opportunities that grow both current performance and future readiness.

Empower Teams : Align goals to enterprise and R&D priorities, clarify decision rights, remove barriers, and connect the team to the broader Public Affairs and R&D ecosystem.

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.

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