Senior Director, Gilead Patient Solutions Public Affairs
Gilead Sciences
August 30, 2026
Remote friendly (Washington, DC)
United States
Patient Advocacy
Position Overview
- Develop and execute an integrated communications and advocacy strategy for Gilead Patient Solutions (GPS) across nearly 140 low- and lower-middle income countries.
- Serve as a trusted deputy and strategic thought partner to the Executive Director, Intercontinental Public Affairs; shape GPS regional priorities and ensure coordinated responses to opportunities and challenges.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Public Affairs Leadership
- Partner with GPS leadership to align communications, advocacy, NGO engagement, and stakeholder outreach to support patient-centered access to innovation and advance public health priorities.
- Identify emerging themes across markets/functions/stakeholders and translate insights into coordinated public affairs strategies.
- Provide senior counseling and practical communications guidance on complex internal and external matters.
- Collaborate across Public Affairs, Patient Advocacy, Government Affairs, Value & Access, Corporate Communications, Commercial, Medical, and other functions.
- Apply a global, enterprise lens to public affairs planning with local cultural relevance.
External Communications
- Lead external communications strategy; create clear, credible, compliant messaging about commitments, partnerships, access initiatives, and public health impact.
- Build proactive storytelling (exec visibility, thought leadership, milestones, partnerships).
- Prepare senior leaders for external engagements and media.
Global NGO, Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and sustain relationships with global NGOs/patient organizations/advocacy coalitions.
- Co-create compliant education, engagement, and capacity-building initiatives.
Issues, Crisis & Reputation Management
- Proactively identify/manage issues; establish governance and response frameworks.
- Draft/review external statements and reactive communications.
Internal Communications & Enterprise Alignment
- Integrate GPS priorities into enterprise narratives; develop consistent internal messages and toolkits.
Measurement, Insights & Governance
- Define objectives/KPIs; build dashboards; lead governance; manage budgets and agency/external partner performance.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 14 years’ experience OR Master’s degree and at least 12 years’ relevant experience OR PhD and at least 12 years’ relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications (selected)
- In-house public affairs/corporate/external affairs experience in global regulated pharma/biotech.
- Deep experience in reputation, communications, stakeholder engagement, and issues management in matrixed environments.
- Strong executive written/verbal communications; ability to influence without direct authority.
- Experience with global NGOs/patient organizations and advocacy in public health access environments.
- Ability to anticipate challenges, navigate ambiguity, and manage sensitive issues diplomatically.
- Ability to travel ~30–40%.
People Leader Accountabilities
- Create Inclusion; Develop Talent; Empower Teams.
Benefits
- Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
Application Instructions
- For current Gilead employees and contractors: apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.
- Develop and execute an integrated communications and advocacy strategy for Gilead Patient Solutions (GPS) across nearly 140 low- and lower-middle income countries.
- Serve as a trusted deputy and strategic thought partner to the Executive Director, Intercontinental Public Affairs; shape GPS regional priorities and ensure coordinated responses to opportunities and challenges.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Public Affairs Leadership
- Partner with GPS leadership to align communications, advocacy, NGO engagement, and stakeholder outreach to support patient-centered access to innovation and advance public health priorities.
- Identify emerging themes across markets/functions/stakeholders and translate insights into coordinated public affairs strategies.
- Provide senior counseling and practical communications guidance on complex internal and external matters.
- Collaborate across Public Affairs, Patient Advocacy, Government Affairs, Value & Access, Corporate Communications, Commercial, Medical, and other functions.
- Apply a global, enterprise lens to public affairs planning with local cultural relevance.
External Communications
- Lead external communications strategy; create clear, credible, compliant messaging about commitments, partnerships, access initiatives, and public health impact.
- Build proactive storytelling (exec visibility, thought leadership, milestones, partnerships).
- Prepare senior leaders for external engagements and media.
Global NGO, Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and sustain relationships with global NGOs/patient organizations/advocacy coalitions.
- Co-create compliant education, engagement, and capacity-building initiatives.
Issues, Crisis & Reputation Management
- Proactively identify/manage issues; establish governance and response frameworks.
- Draft/review external statements and reactive communications.
Internal Communications & Enterprise Alignment
- Integrate GPS priorities into enterprise narratives; develop consistent internal messages and toolkits.
Measurement, Insights & Governance
- Define objectives/KPIs; build dashboards; lead governance; manage budgets and agency/external partner performance.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 14 years’ experience OR Master’s degree and at least 12 years’ relevant experience OR PhD and at least 12 years’ relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications (selected)
- In-house public affairs/corporate/external affairs experience in global regulated pharma/biotech.
- Deep experience in reputation, communications, stakeholder engagement, and issues management in matrixed environments.
- Strong executive written/verbal communications; ability to influence without direct authority.
- Experience with global NGOs/patient organizations and advocacy in public health access environments.
- Ability to anticipate challenges, navigate ambiguity, and manage sensitive issues diplomatically.
- Ability to travel ~30–40%.
People Leader Accountabilities
- Create Inclusion; Develop Talent; Empower Teams.
Benefits
- Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
Application Instructions
- For current Gilead employees and contractors: apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.