Senior Director, Global Media Relations

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
 

We are seeking an exceptional, experienced and strategic senior media relations expert to help shape and execute Gilead’s global media strategy, serving as the deputy head of media relations in leading, managing, and advancing the media relations team into a global center of excellence. This individual will be responsible for developing and executing a proactive global media strategy around Gilead’s emergence into a top quartile growth company as well as supporting Gilead’s corporate initiatives. This individual will serve as a key advisor and collaborator with key business partners (Public Affairs, Investor Relations, Government Affairs, and other functions) to formulate and communicate Gilead’s position on key policies and manage corporate issues, ensuring that resulting stories are grounded in facts and include Gilead’s perspective, alongside other stakeholder perspectives. The ideal candidate will bring deep media expertise, trusted relationships with top-tier outlets, and bold storytelling instincts, along with the ability to simplify complex corporate, science, policy and financial topics. The successful candidate should possess exceptional strategic writing skills with an ability to draft external communications materials, messaging, statements and other communications rapidly in response to inquiries and issues. This role will work cross-functionally to identify opportunities for executive visibility and external engagement, and will report to the Executive Director, Media Relations. This role will be based in Foster City, California or in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of proactive global media relations strategies that support Gilead’s emergence as a top quartile growth company, including quarterly earnings and major events such as the JPM Morgan Healthcare Conference.

• Partner with Investor Relations to identify and elevate key insights from financial engagements for external media opportunities.

• Serves as a primary point of contact for top-tier media inquiries related to corporate and financial topics ensuring timely, consistent and accurate responses aligned with key business partners.

• Cultivate and maintain trusted relationships with top-tier media, trade publications, and DC-based outlets to advance awareness of Gilead’s corporate narrative.

• Lead earned and paid media activations that reinforce Gilead’s corporate reputation and brand positioning, including media sponsorships. Collaborate across Public Affairs to ensure strategic alignment and amplification.

• Provide strategic counsel on external engagements such as conferences, panels, and sponsorships, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and identifying media opportunities to amplify key messages.

• Leverage data-driven insights and external benchmarking to assess and refine media strategies, optimizing for reach, engagement, and reputational impact.

• Develop and refine media-facing materials such as press releases, key messages and talking points, to ensure clarity, accessibility and alignment with audience needs.

• Exhibit exceptional strategic writing skills in crafting corporate messages, standby statements, executive talking points and briefing materials, with the ability to independently generate high quality content.

• Deliver media training and coaching to executives, preparing them to confidently and effectively represent Gilead in high-profile and public engagements.

• Collaborate closely with internal teams, Government Affairs, HR, and other stakeholders as needed to define Gilead’s position on significant corporate and policy topics and ensure Gilead’s positioning is accurately reflected in external communications.

• Organize and manage the day-to-day operations of a global media relations team.

• Provide strategic direction and mentorship to a team of communications professionals across internal communications, leadership communications, external affairs, and digital media.

Skills, Knowledge and Expectations:

• Proven track record in media relations, including established relationships with relationships with top-tier, industry trades and DC outlets with keen expertise in the biopharmaceutical industry. Demonstrated ability to influence media narratives and secure impactful coverage within the biopharmaceutical industry.  

• Comprehensive understanding of the biopharmaceutical industry and policies that impact healthcare. Able to effectively monitor policy trends and prepare in advance when appropriate.

• Ability to effectively manage and execute high-stakes projects and programs under tight deadlines, demonstrating agility, precision and strategic judgement.

• Exceptional storytelling and writing skills, with the ability to simplify complex topics and craft compelling narratives tailored to diverse audiences.

• Serves as a Gilead spokesperson on media relations, representing the company with credibility and professionalism while cultivating influential relationships with global media, industry leaders, and external stakeholders.

• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions and influence internal and external stakeholders.

• Plays a lead role in connecting cross-functional teams, facilitating information sharing, and driving integrated communications efforts across Public Affairs and other key functions.

• Effectively manages agency partners, providing strategic direction, oversight and alignment to ensure successful execution of media campaigns and programs.

• Demonstrates strategic thinking and initiative in shaping media plans that align with corporate objectives that elevate Gilead’s reputation.

• Applies sound judgement and experience in supporting crisis communications planning and response, helping mitigate reputational risks and manage sensitive issues.

• Collaborate closely with internal teams and demonstrates strong leadership skills to inspire and guide cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, alignment and a culture of excellence.

Basic Qualifications

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

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

• 12+ years’ healthcare experience working in-house or in an agency in the area of communications, preferred.

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.

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