Sr Director, Public Affairs, External Affairs (Washington)

Senior Director Of Public Affairs, External 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.

Gilead is looking for a Senior Director of Public Affairs, External Affairs to develop and deliver structure public affairs and stakeholder engagement plans which support U.S prioritized objectives. They will promote communications campaigns to promote an external environment that enables growth for Gilead's U.S. business. They will lead the development and execution of clear, compelling communications that will create air cover and drive U.S. federal and state public policy priorities. This role blends strategic communications leadership with hands-on content development, ensuring that complex policy topics are translated into accessible, persuasive campaigns and narratives that advance Gilead's reputation and policy objectives.

The successful candidate will oversee the full lifecycle of communications - everything from planning production to performance - while serving as a critical connector across Public Affairs, Commercial and Government Affairs. This role reports to the Vice President, Corporate & Enterprise Communications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Public Affairs Communications & Strategy

• Develop and execute proactive, integrated public affairs communication strategies and content that articulate and support Gilead's legislative, regulatory and public policy objectives, ensuring alignment with Gilead's enterprise priorities and reputation goals and key groups including government affairs, commercial, policy and communications.
• Translate complex policy topics into accessible, persuasive narratives for external audiences, including policymakers, advocacy organizations, community groups, trade associations, think tanks, and media.
• Monitor and synthesize public affairs developments to inform proactive communication planning.
• Identify opportunities, venues and creative communications tactics to meet Gilead's objectives.
• Strengthen message discipline, ensuring alignment across Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Legal, and functional partners.
• Advise senior leaders and internal partners on best practices and creative ways of communicating and activating campaigns to create a favorable operating environment.
• Ensure Public Affairs communication efforts complement Government Affairs' policy, trade, and coalition building strategies.

External Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the development of content for policymakers, advocacy groups, NGOs, and external experts, ensuring clarity, credibility, and alignment with enterprise priorities.
• Identify and shape opportunities to amplify Gilead's voice in policy discussions through earned, owned, and shared channels via working with third parties, advocates, and creating coalitions.
• Partner with enterprise communicators to ensure consistency across therapeutic, corporate, and reputation driving messaging.

Issues, Crisis & Reputation Support

• Support issue monitoring and response related to emerging risks and evolving narratives that may impact Gilead's reputation; contribute to scenario planning, response materials, and executive communications.
• Ensure policy-relevant issues are integrated into broader corporate reputation strategies in coordination with Public Affairs Leadership.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 10+ years of experience in social media, digital communications, or content strategy.
• Strong understanding of key Beltway publications, policy media ecosystems, and digital/social media targeting capabilities to effectively reach policymakers, influencers, and specialized audiences
• Proven ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on content creation.
• Comfortable supporting senior leaders in high-visibility, high-stakes environments.
• Exceptional written, visual and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to partner cross-functionally, collaborate and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Knowledge of the regulatory, political, or social responsibility landscapes impacting business and reputation.
• Excellence in translating policy and complex science into compelling, credible narratives.

Preferred:

• Background in public affairs, corporate communications, reputation management, consulting, political campaigns, PR agencies or government relations.
• Experience in a global or highly matrixed corporate environment.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 14+ years of experience, or
• Master's Degree and 12+ years of experience

Location: Washington, DC

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:

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

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