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Senior Director, Strategic Communications

Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States, 94420

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Senior Director, Strategic Communications 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.

We are seeking an exceptional, experienced, and strategic senior communications leader to help shape and execute Gilead’s enterprise-wide strategic communications in support of the Corporate Communications function. This role will be responsible for developing and integrating communications strategies that advance Gilead’s corporate priorities, strengthen its reputation, and drive alignment across external and internal audiences, including earned media, internal communications, digital and social platforms, and executive visibility.

The Senior Director will serve as a key advisor and collaborator with senior leaders and partners across Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Media Relations, Internal Communications, Digital and Social, Legal, Government Affairs, Human Resources, and other functions to translate business strategy into clear, compelling, and consistent communications. The role will help ensure that Gilead’s narrative is cohesive, audience-centered, and aligned across channels and touchpoints.

The role will work closely with leaders across the Corporate Communications organization and will report to the Vice President, Corporate Communications. The role will be based in Foster City, California or Parsippany, New Jersey.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that support Gilead’s corporate priorities, reputation, and long‑term objectives across external and internal audiences.

Help define, evolve, and steward Gilead’s corporate narrative, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment across media, internal communications, digital and social platforms, and executive engagements.

Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on positioning, messaging, and external and internal engagement opportunities; support executive visibility across media, speaking engagements, digital channels, and internal forums.

Oversee the development of high‑quality communications materials including executive talking points, speeches, internal announcements, press materials, digital content, and social storytelling, ensuring alignment across channels.

Partner closely with Media Relations and Digital teams to ensure coordinated storytelling, consistent messaging, and effective amplification across earned, owned, and social channels.

Collaborate with Internal Communications to ensure employees are informed, engaged, and aligned with Gilead’s strategy, priorities, and culture.

Support planning and execution of communications strategies during sensitive, high‑profile, or reputation‑critical situations, working closely with cross‑functional partners.

Lead and convene cross‑functional working groups across Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Legal, HR, and other teams to drive alignment, integration, and execution of communication programs.

Use qualitative and quantitative insights, media analysis, digital metrics, and stakeholder feedback to assess effectiveness and continuously refine communication strategies.

Manage external agencies and partners, providing strategic direction, oversight, and integration across communications disciplines.

Skills, Knowledge and Expectations

Demonstrated experience leading enterprise or strategic communications programs within a complex, matrixed organization.

Strong understanding of corporate communications disciplines, including media relations, internal communications, digital and social media, and executive communications.

Proven ability to translate complex business, scientific, or policy topics into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

Exceptional strategic writing, editing, and storytelling skills with experience developing executive‑level content.

Sound judgment and composure in managing sensitive, high‑visibility, or reputationally significant situations.

Outstanding interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and collaborate effectively across functions.

Experience leading through influence, driving alignment, and managing ambiguity in fast‑paced environments.

Demonstrated ability to manage agencies, vendors, and complex programs with accountability and rigor.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 14+ years of experience, or

Master’s degree and 12+ years of experience, or

12+ years of experience in corporate communications, strategic communications, public affairs, or related fields within a corporate or agency environment; healthcare or biopharmaceutical experience strongly preferred.

The salary range for this position is: $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: https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

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

For jobs in the United States: 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 ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the ‘Know Your Rights’ poster.

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Gilead Sciences will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.

Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors: Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.

Job Requisition ID R0049912

Full Time/Part Time Full-Time

Job Level Director

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