Senior Vice President, Global Legal Business Partners

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

Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers innovative therapeutics for people with life-threatening diseases around the world. Our mission is to advance the care of patients globally, and our values - integrity, inclusion, teamwork, accountability, and excellence - guide everything we do.

The SVP, Global Legal Business Partners, reports to the General Counsel and is the senior-most leader responsible for setting and executing the legal strategy for Gilead’s commercial, development , . medical affairs, regulatory, manufacturing, public affairs and government affairs teams . This executive oversees a matrixed team of over 100 attorneys and compliance professional who sit with the business across all therapeutic areas, geographies, and functions to identify and manage diverse legal and reputational risks in a complex, highly regulated environment .

In this capacity, the SVP, Global Legal Business:

• Is directly responsible for managing a global team of lawyers and compliance professionals dedicated to supporting the business on a variety of complex and high-risk issues throughout the product lifecycle, including development, manufacturing, commercialization, pricing, and product promotion.

• Drives risk management, governance, and policy leadership at the enterprise level.

• Leads talent development, succession planning, and culture-building for the global legal organization.

• Partners with executive leadership to shape and execute enterprise strategy, ensuring legal considerations are embedded in all critical business decisions.

Key Responsibilities :

Strategic Leadership & Business Partnership

• Set the vision and strategy for the Global Legal Business Partner s function, ensuring alignment with Gilead’s enterprise priorities and business objectives .

• Oversee legal support for all major business units (Commercial, Development, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Manufacturing , Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Value & Access, etc.), ensuring seamless integration of legal advice into business decision-making.

• Lead cross-functional collaboration, embedding legal and compliance considerations into product development, launches, market access, pricing, and strategic initiatives globally.

• Serve as a senior legal advisor for high-impact, high-risk matters, including regulatory approvals, major transactions, and litigation.

• Advise on enterprise-level crisis management strategies and reputational risk mitigation in collaboration with executive leadership.

• Stay ahead of evolving global regulatory landscapes, including emerging markets, AI regulation, and digital health compliance frameworks, to anticipate risks and opportunities.

Operational Excellence & Risk Management

• Drive operational rigor, process simplification, and continuous improvement across the global legal function.

• Leverage advanced technologies, including AI and data analytics, to optimize legal operations, enhance compliance monitoring, and deliver predictive insights for risk management.

• Ensure ethical governance and compliance in the use of AI and emerging technologies within legal and business processes.

• Establish KPIs and leverage analytics to measure legal function effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.

• Oversee relationships with external counsel, optimizing value, cost efficiency, and quality of legal services.

• Stay ahead of legal, regulatory, and industry trends, providing strategic thought leadership and embedding best practices.

Talent Leadership & Culture

• Build and sustain a high-performing, inclusive, and diverse global legal team.

• Ensure robust succession planning, development plans, and mentorship for all leaders and staff.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, ethical conduct, and continuous improvement.

• Foster a culture of innovation within the legal function to anticipate future challenges and leverage emerging technologies.

• Champion DEI and justice initiatives, shaping the legal function’s culture and impact.

Enterprise Impact & Governance

• Partner with executive leadership , other legal and compliance departments, and global business leaders to shape and execute enterprise strategy.

• Lead the legal function’s contribution to governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks.

• Influence policy, shape department practices, and drive engagement strategies for legal and compliance reviews.

• Provide legal insights and governance support to the Board of Directors and investor-facing functions, ensuring transparency and compliance.

• Serve as a visible leader and representative for Gilead in external forums, industry associations, and stakeholder engagements.

Leadership Competencies

• Visionary leadership and strategic influence.

• Inclusive, people-first approach to talent and culture.

• Operational rigor and results orientation.

• Agility in navigating complexity and change.

• Collaborative partnership across functions and geographies.

Skills, Knowledge and Expectations:

• Deep expertise in global pharmaceutical law, compliance, and risk management, with a strong understanding of regulations and the external legal landscape.

• Proven ability to set and execute legal strategy that aligns with enterprise priorities and drives business outcomes.

• Experience leading large, matrixed, and geographically dispersed teams across multiple functions and regions.

• Strategic thinking and business judgment to connect legal initiatives with broader business objectives and anticipate future risks and opportunities.

• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to partner across functions, advise senior executives, and represent Gilead externally.

• Leadership skills to inspire, develop, and guide high-performing, diverse teams, fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Operational rigor and project management capabilities, with a proven ability to prioritize and execute multiple complex initiatives under tight deadlines.

• Proficiency in change management and transformation leadership, supporting organizational agility and effective communication during transitions.

• Analytical skills to assess legal, compliance, and business metrics, using insights to inform strategy and measure success.

• Commitment to ethical conduct, talent development, and succession planning at all levels of the organization.

• Ability to manage high-stakes projects and programs, including major transactions, litigation, and regulatory matters, with sound judgment and composure.

• Continuous improvement mindset, seeking feedback and driving process simplification and innovation.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate or equivalent advanced legal degree; admitted to practice in relevant jurisdictions .

• 15+ years of progressive legal experience in biotech, pharmaceuticals, or highly regulated industries, with significant global and leadership responsibility.

• Deep expertise in pharmaceutical laws and regulations, compliance, and business partnering.

• Proven ability to lead large, matrixed teams and drive enterprise-wide impact.

• Exceptional business judgment, strategic thinking, and executive communication skills.

• Demonstrated success in building and developing high-performing, diverse teams.

Location : Foster City, CA (On-site )

For jobs in the United States:

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