Senior Director, U.S. Public Affairs Oncology Advocacy
Confirmed live in the last 24 hours
Gilead Sciences
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
At Gilead our pursuit of a healthier world for all people has yielded a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary improvements in HIV treatment and prevention as well as advancements in therapies for viral and inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.
We set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world’s most devastating diseases, united in our commitment to confronting the largest public health challenges of our day and improving the lives of patients for generations to come.
Role Overview
Reporting to the Executive Director, U.S. Public Affairs Oncology Team Lead, this Senior Director will lead U.S. advocacy strategy across Gilead’s Oncology portfolio, with a primary focus on a late-stage asset. The role shapes and advances Gilead’s position as an emerging oncology leader by elevating the patient’s voice, articulating a compelling oncology vision, and partnering externally to address unmet needs.
This leader will work closely with U.S. Commercial, Medical Affairs, and Government Affairs teams, as well as Global Public Affairs Centers of Excellence, to drive an integrated, One PA approach that supports development milestones, launches, and long-term reputation building.
Key Responsibilities
Advocacy & Strategic Leadership
Own and drive the U.S. advocacy strategy for a late-stage oncology asset, aligned with commercial planning, clinical milestones, global oncology strategy, medical priorities, and enterprise objectives.
Set vision, priorities, and engagement strategies with advocacy partners, serving as a senior counselor on patient needs, policy dynamics, and emerging risks and opportunities.
Develop and maintain a cohesive patient narrative, including core messaging, data storylines, and storytelling tools used across functions and markets.
Advise and partner with senior leaders across Commercial, Medical Affairs, and Government Affairs to advance Gilead’s oncology leadership, including current efforts in TNMBC.
Cross Functional Engagement
Represent U.S. Oncology Public Affairs on cross functional teams to ensure integrated communications across clinical, commercial, medical, regulatory, access, and affiliate partners.
Support U.S. product launches and key clinical/regulatory milestones through coordinated advocacy and communications strategies.
Drive global to local alignment across Gilead Oncology and Kite Public Affairs, ensuring timely guidance, materials, and strategic consistency.
Design and implement advocacy partnerships and programs that raise awareness, mobilize patients, and elevate public understanding of unmet needs in TNMBC and oncology.
Serve as the primary relationship lead for key advocacy organizations, strengthening Gilead Oncology’s reputation and leadership position.
Team, Agency & Budget Leadership
Lead, mentor, and develop internal team members supporting oncology advocacy efforts.
Oversee agency partners and sponsorships, ensuring compliant execution aligned with Gilead business conduct policies.
Manage advocacies, partnerships, and funding processes, optimizing resources for strategic impact and measurable outcomes.
Drive operational excellence through disciplined planning, resource allocation, and performance measurement.
Knowledge, Experience & Skills
Required
Bachelor’s degree with 14+ years of relevant experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, advocacy, or scientific communications; or master's degree with 12+ years of experience.
Proven experience leading product related advocacy strategies tied to clinical data, regulatory milestones, and launch preparation.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders, academic experts, and patient advocates with credibility and confidence.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to drive alignment across complex, matrixed organizations.
Prior experience in oncology, advocacy, government affairs, policy, or medical affairs.
Preferred
Experience working outside the U.S. or in global roles.
Passion for oncology and public health.
Experience with digital communications, consumer marketing, analytics, and impact measurement.
Knowledge of regulations governing advocacy engagements and sponsorships in publicly traded biopharmaceutical companies.
Leadership Accountabilities
Strategy First: Align advocacy efforts with U.S. business, enterprise strategy and evolving external landscape.
Matrix Leadership: Lead inclusively across diverse teams and functions, embedding collaboration and shared value.
Team Empowerment: Connect teams to purpose and organizational goals, removing barriers and enabling success.
Thoughtful Prioritization: Integrate U.S., global and corporate perspectives while balancing cross functional demands.
Inclusive Leadership: Champion diverse perspectives to ensure the patient voice is consistently represented.
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:
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.
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