At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global public affairs to enhance patient access and health outcomes across 140 countries.
- Company: Join Gilead, a trusted global health partner making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, health insurance, and opportunities for international travel.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and influence.
- Why this job: Make a strategic impact on global health while advancing patient-centered innovation.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in public affairs within global pharma or biotech.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
In this Senior Director role, you will lead integrated public affairs and advocacy for GPS across ~140 countries to improve patient access and health outcomes. You will partner with regional and functional leaders to align communications, NGO engagement, and stakeholder outreach with corporate priorities. The role involves managing reputation, issues, and crisis responses while positioning Gilead as a trusted global health partner. You will influence leadership decisions and shape cross-functional strategies with an enterprise-wide lens. The opportunity combines strategic impact, global scale, and the chance to advance patient-centered access to innovation.
Pay / Benefits
- discretionary annual bonus
- discretionary stock-based long-term incentives
- paid time off
- company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- opportunities for international travel
- competitive base salary
Responsibilities
- Lead public affairs strategy to support patient-centered access to innovation and align communications, advocacy, NGO engagement, and stakeholder outreach for GPS.
- Translate market insights into coordinated public affairs plans across markets and functions.
- Advise senior leadership with clear recommendations on internal and external matters.
- Coordinate with Public Affairs, Patient Advocacy, Government Affairs, Value Access, Corporate Communications, Commercial, Medical, and others to align strategies.
- Ensure GPS strategies are globally informed and locally relevant across nearly 140 countries.
- Oversee external communications strategy to reinforce Gilead’s role in global health and ensure message discipline.
- Develop external storytelling, leadership visibility, and partnership milestones.
- Prepare leaders for external engagements, media, conferences, NGO meetings, and stakeholder forums.
- Engage with global NGOs, patient organizations, advocacy coalitions, and other external stakeholders.
- Build and sustain relationships with organizations advancing public health and patient support.
- Co-create education, engagement, and capacity-building initiatives with external partners.
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement across markets for alignment with laws and standards.
- Identify and manage potential issues; implement governance and response frameworks.
- Embed reputation management into program design and monitor risk and sentiment.
- Develop internal communications to align GPS priorities with enterprise narratives and employee engagement.
Key requirements
- Extensive in-house public affairs or corporate communications experience in global pharma/biotech or highly regulated healthcare.
- Proven ability to lead reputation, stakeholder engagement, and issues management in complex, matrixed environments.
- Strong influence without direct authority; ability to align functions, regions, and groups.
- Excellent written and verbal communications; experience with executive and stakeholder materials.
- Experience across global, regional, and local markets including low- and lower-middle-income countries.
- Track record with NGOs, patient organizations, advocacy groups, or public health coalitions.
- Ability to anticipate challenges, navigate ambiguity, and provide sound recommendations.
- Executive presence with diplomacy and credibility; manage sensitive issues under pressure.
- Knowledge of legal, regulatory, compliance, and reputational considerations in pharma communications.
- Experience supporting geographically dispersed teams and multi-time zone priorities.
- Willingness to travel approximately 30–40%.
- strategic thinking
- influence and diplomacy
- collaboration across functions
- public affairs strategy
- stakeholder engagement
- issues management
Senior Director, Gilead Patient Solutions Public Affairs employer: GILEAD Sciences
Gilead is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a healthier world, where every employee plays a vital role in pioneering life-changing therapies. Located in Uxbridge, our collaborative work culture fosters inclusion and empowerment, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. With a strong focus on leadership and continuous improvement, Gilead offers a unique environment that encourages innovation and meaningful contributions to global health challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Gilead Patient Solutions Public Affairs
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like GILEAD Sciences. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like GILEAD Sciences, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research GILEAD Sciences inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Gilead Patient Solutions Public Affairs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of GILEAD Sciences. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at GILEAD Sciences.
How to prepare for a job interview at GILEAD Sciences
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
