Senior Director, Strategic 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

Senior Director, Strategic Communications

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 ideal candidate will bring deep experience in strategic and corporate communications, with a strong ability to connect storytelling, channels, and executive leadership to drive impact. The successful candidate will possess exceptional strategic writing and editorial skills, sound judgment, and the ability to lead complex, cross‑functional communications efforts in a fast‑paced, highly visible environment.

This 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

• Strategic Communications Leadership: Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that support Gilead’s corporate priorities, reputation, and long‑term objectives across external and internal audiences.
• Enterprise Narrative & Messaging: 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.
• Executive Counsel & Visibility: 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.
• Content & Channel Integration: 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.
• Media, Digital & Social Collaboration: Partner closely with Media Relations and Digital teams to ensure coordinated storytelling, consistent messaging, and effective amplification across earned, owned, and social channels.
• Internal Communications Alignment: Collaborate with Internal Communications to ensure employees are informed, engaged, and aligned with Gilead’s strategy, priorities, and culture.
• Issues & Crisis Communications: Support planning and execution of communications strategies during sensitive, high‑profile, or reputation‑critical situations, working closely with cross‑functional partners.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership: Lead and convene cross‑functional working groups across Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Legal, HR, and other teams to drive alignment, integration, and execution of communications programs.
• Measurement & Insights: Use qualitative and quantitative insights, media analysis, digital metrics, and stakeholder feedback to assess effectiveness and continuously refine communications strategies.
• Agency & Partner Management: 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:

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

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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 [email protected] for assistance.

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

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.