Sr Director, Corporate Strategy & Projects (United States - California - Foster City)

This job is with Gilead Sciences Inc., an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

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

 

Reporting to the VP, Corporate Strategy & Projects, the Senior Director serves as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership, helping shape enterprise strategy, influencing critical decisions, and leading initiatives that drive long-term value creation.

 

This leader identifies, frames, and advances the company's most important strategic decisions, translating long-term ambition into actionable priorities and measurable outcomes. The Senior Director builds alignment across senior leaders, influences enterprise decision-making, and drives complex initiatives requiring executive sponsorship and broad organizational engagement.

 

Success in this role requires building trusted partnerships across the enterprise. Team members are expected to have exceptional strategic judgment, executive presence, influence, and the ability to connect perspectives across functions to drive enterprise outcomes.

 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

 

• Enterprise Strategy & Insights

• • Serve as a strategic advisor to the VP and senior leaders on high-priority enterprise issues.
  • Lead development of strategic frameworks, recommendations, and perspectives on the company's most critical business challenges.
  • Lead major components of corporate strategy development, enterprise planning, and scenario planning.
  • Assess external trends, strategic risks, and long-term growth opportunities to help shape enterprise priorities and strategic direction.

 

• Strategic Initiatives & Execution

• • Own and independently lead complex enterprise initiatives sponsored by executive leadership.
  • Establish governance structures and operating mechanisms that enable effective execution and decision-making.
  • Drive enterprise outcomes by aligning stakeholders, resolving competing priorities, and ensuring delivery against strategic objectives.

 

• Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence

• • Align leaders across functions around enterprise priorities and strategic decisions.
  • Lead cross-functional problem solving and influence decisions in highly matrixed environments.
  • Foster enterprise-first thinking, collaboration, and high-quality decision-making.

 

• Executive & Board Engagement

• • Lead development of strategic recommendations and executive communications for senior leadership and the Board.
  • Shape Board and GLT discussions through strategic insights, recommendations, and facilitation of workshops, strategy sessions, and other key forums.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor on enterprise strategic matters.

 

• Organizational & Talent Development

• • Contribute to a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement
  • Mentor and coach junior team members and rotational talent.
  • Foster an enterprise mindset and strategic leadership capabilities across the organization.

 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 14+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree, MBA, PhD, or MD and 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Significant experience in corporate strategy, management consulting, corporate development, business operations, finance, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of Gilead's portfolio, business model, and strategic context.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, or life sciences expertise.
• Demonstrated success influencing enterprise-level strategic decisions.
• Proven experience leading large-scale cross-functional strategic initiatives.
• Experience developing corporate or enterprise strategy.
• Experience partnering directly with executive leadership and supporting Board-level discussions.
• Strong systems-thinking orientation and enterprise mindset.
• Ability to balance long-term strategic thinking with executional pragmatism.
• Executive presence and confidence challenging assumptions constructively.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and influence skills.
• Expertise in executive storytelling and strategic communications.
• Proven ability to develop and mentor high-potential talent.
• Ability to thrive in highly ambiguous and rapidly evolving environments.

 

The salary range for this position is: $261,375.00 - $338,250.00. 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.

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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 View email address on apply.placed-app.com for assistance.

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