Director, Global Medical External Affairs

Job Description

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

The role serves as a key liaison across Global Medical Affairs and external stakeholders, driving project execution, process optimization, governance, and performance measurement while supporting scientific exchange, educational initiatives, society collaborations, association partnerships, and strategic engagements.

The preferred work location for this position is Foster City, CA, or Parsippany, NJ.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Program Management & Operational Excellence

• Lead strategic initiatives and complex cross-functional projects supporting Global Medical Affairs external engagement priorities.
• Develop and implement governance frameworks, business processes, operational standards, and best practices to support scalable and compliant program execution.
• Serve as business owner for systems, tools, and workflows supporting external engagement activities, driving process optimization and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Medical Affairs, Ethics and Compliance, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Commercial, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective program execution.
• Develop and maintain centralized processes, tracking mechanisms, and reporting tools to support operational oversight and portfolio management.
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and performance metrics to measure operational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, and business impact.
• Deliver executive-level reporting, analyses, and recommendations that support leadership decision-making and resource prioritization.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, transparency, governance, and organizational effectiveness across Medical External Affairs activities.

Strategic External Engagement

• Support development and execution of Global Medical Affairs external engagement strategies aligned with organizational and therapeutic area priorities.
• Coordinate strategic interactions with professional societies, healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and other external stakeholders.
• Facilitate cross-functional planning and alignment for external engagement activities and collaborative initiatives.
• Develop executive briefing materials, strategic assessments, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Support planning and execution of leadership engagement activities with key external organizations and stakeholders.

External Partnerships & Scientific Collaboration

• Manage a portfolio of strategic external relationships and collaborative initiatives.
• Coordinate internal teams supporting external engagement activities and stakeholder interactions.
• Monitor partnership activities, deliverables, and objectives to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Represent Medical Affairs on internal and external working groups, committees, and collaborative initiatives as appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to enhance scientific leadership, thought leadership, organizational reputation, and external engagement effectiveness.

Performance Excellence & Innovation

• Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on process optimization, operational effectiveness, and stakeholder experience.
• Develop training materials, guidance documents, and best practices for global and regional stakeholders.
• Analyze program performance data and generate actionable insights to inform future strategies.
• Champion data-driven decision-making and performance measurement across external engagement activities.
• Evaluate and implement innovative technologies, analytics, and engagement approaches that enhance organizational effectiveness.

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong project and program management skills, including planning, prioritization, execution, risk management, and delivery of multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience managing external collaborations, association relationships, educational initiatives, or strategic partnerships within the healthcare, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to assess opportunities, evaluate organizational needs, and support strategic decision-making.
• Proven ability to work effectively in highly matrixed global organizations and navigate competing priorities.
• Experience developing executive-level presentations, business cases, dashboards, and communications for senior leadership audiences.
• Strong operational mindset with experience optimizing processes, implementing new systems, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to analyze, synthesize, and communicate complex information into concise, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to represent the organization professionally with external stakeholders.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, timelines, milestones, and performance metrics.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to establish credibility and maintain productive partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• High level of organizational agility, sound judgment, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and other collaboration tools.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and Twelve Years' experience; OR
• Master's degree (MBA, MSN, MPH, or equivalent) and Ten Years' experience; OR
• Doctoral degree (PhD, PharmD, or equivalent) and Eight Years' experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience across grants and corporate sponsorship programs, society relations, non-profit engagement, scientific communications, or related functions within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, non-profit, or association sectors.
• Experience leading business operations, strategic initiatives, process improvement programs, or technology implementation projects.
• Knowledge of corporate sponsorships and memberships, independent medical education, scientific grants, healthcare compliance requirements, and industry standards related to external funding and educational support.
• Experience managing relationships with medical societies, professional associations, academic institutions, continuing education providers, or healthcare organizations.
• Familiarity with contract management, procurement processes, budget planning, and vendor management.
• Experience developing and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), operational metrics, and reporting dashboards.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change, process transformation, or cross-functional business initiatives.
• Experience supporting global programs and working with international stakeholders.
• Advanced degree in business, healthcare administration, life sciences, public health, or related discipline 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:

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

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

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:

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

For jobs in the United States:

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For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

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