Director, Public Affairs, U.S. HIV Treatment Communications

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

Reporting to the Executive Director, U.S. Treatment Public Affairs, the Director, Public Affairs, U.S. HIV Treatment Communications will serve as the Public Affairs launch lead on the U.S. HIV Treatment team. This high-impact, director-level role is responsible for leading the U.S. public affairs strategy and execution for the potential launch, shaping the external narrative around a potential new once-weekly oral HIV treatment option, and advancing above-brand communications that strengthen understanding of the evolving HIV treatment landscape.

The Director will serve as a core member of the cross-functional launch team and the Public Affairs lead for U.S. HIV Treatment launch communications, partnering across Public Affairs, Medical Affairs, Commercial, Market Access, Government Affairs, Legal, and Regulatory to deliver an integrated, compliant, and community-informed approach. The role will connect product launch communications with broader treatment-focused storytelling, the needs of people living with HIV, and Gilead’s leadership and long-term commitment in HIV.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Positioning

• Lead development of a comprehensive U.S. public affairs strategy for potential product launches, aligned with enterprise priorities, the broader U.S. HIV Treatment strategy, and cross-functional launch plans.

• Shape treatment-focused messaging and positioning, grounded in science, the needs of people living with HIV, and health equity considerations.

• Partner with Medical Affairs and Clinical Development to ensure accurate, credible, and compliant translation of clinical data for external audiences.

• Anticipate and address policy, access, and societal dynamics (e.g., stigma, disparities, treatment access and adoption) that may impact launch success.

• Establish frameworks, narratives, and best practices that can be scaled across future HIV treatment and launch communications efforts.

Above-Brand HIV Treatment Leadership

• Lead above-brand communications initiatives that strengthen understanding of the evolving HIV treatment landscape and reinforce Gilead’s broader leadership and long-term commitment in HIV.
• Develop disease-state education and thought leadership that address unmet needs, treatment barriers, stigma, health equity, and the changing needs of people living with HIV, while maintaining clear separation from product-specific promotion.
• Partner across Public Affairs, Medical Affairs, Government Affairs, Market Access, Community Engagement and Advocacy, and other functions to identify opportunities for coordinated above-brand storytelling and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure ISL/LEN launch communications connect with and contribute to the broader U.S. HIV Treatment narrative, portfolio priorities, and reputation strategy.

Launch Planning & Execution

• Lead the end-to-end U.S. Public Affairs launch communications strategy and execution for product launches, leveraging internal and external partners.

• Oversee spokesperson strategy and readiness, including executive and third-party voices.

• Drive integrated channel activation across earned, owned, paid, and social media.

• Partner closely with Market Access and Government Affairs to ensure communications support access, coverage, and appropriate uptake within the HIV treatment landscape.

Community & Advocacy Integration

• Ensure community and advocacy perspectives are embedded throughout launch and above-brand planning and execution.

• Ensure community and advocacy perspectives are embedded throughout launch planning and execution.

• Partner with community engagement and advocacy leads to support credible, non-promotional awareness and education efforts related to the evolving HIV treatment landscape.

• Support development of community-informed narratives that reflect the real-world needs, experiences, barriers, and priorities of people living with HIV.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as a strategic connector across functions, ensuring alignment across Public Affairs, Medical Affairs, Commercial, Market Access, Government Affairs, Legal, and Regulatory.

• Provide communications counsel to senior leaders and influence decision-making on high-profile, complex issues.

• Ensure all communications are fully compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.

• Shape and influence enterprise-level narratives and decision-making related to HIV treatment, including access, policy, reputation, and launch strategy considerations.

• Represent Public Affairs in cross-functional leadership forums, ensuring alignment of communications strategy with broader business objectives.

Issues Management & Reputation

• Anticipate and manage potential issues and sensitivities (e.g., access, pricing, health equity, adherence, resistance, and comparisons to existing HIV treatment options).

• Develop and execute issues management and crisis preparedness plans tied to product launches and broader HIV treatment narrative.

• Protect and enhance corporate reputation in the context of Gilead’s leadership in HIV treatment.

Measurement & Insights

• Monitor, analyze, and drive performance across media coverage, stakeholder engagement, sentiment, and reputation metrics.

• Deliver measurable impact against defined launch and above-brand success metrics.

• Translate insights into real-time optimization of launch and above-brand communications strategies.

• Report impact and performance against defined KPIs, in coordination with Corporate Communications and Reputation teams.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree and Twelve Years' Experience

OR

Masters' Degree and Ten Years' Experience

OR

PhD and Eight Years' Experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience (or 10+ with advanced degree) in public affairs, communications, or related roles within the biopharmaceutical or healthcare sector.

• Proven experience leading communications strategy and execution for a major product launch, ideally in HIV, infectious disease or another highly competitive therapeutic area.

• Strong understanding of the HIV treatment landscape, including current treatment approaches, access dynamics, community priorities, and health equity considerations.

• Deep experience working in highly matrixed environments, with demonstrated ability to influence across cross-functional teams (including Legal and Regulatory).

• Experience engaging with external stakeholders, including advocacy organizations, public health leaders, and third-party experts.

• Strong expertise in issues management, media relations and corporate reputation.

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex clinical and policy topics into clear, credible communications.

• Strategic thinker with strong executional discipline and attention to detail.

• Demonstrated experience developing above-brand, disease-state education, or thought leadership communications in a regulated healthcare environment.

• Recognized subject matter expert in public affairs strategy, particularly within HIV treatment, infectious disease or a related healthcare area.

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including experience advising senior leaders.

• Strong project management capabilities, with ability to manage multiple priorities and external partners.

• Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements governing biopharmaceutical communications.

• Passion for improving the lives of people living with HIV and advancing equitable access to treatment.

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: $210,375.00 - $272,250.00. 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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