Director, Medical Affairs Research

Essential Duties & Job Functions

• Lead Oncology Medical Affairs Research strategy aligned to Integrated Evidence Plans across assets and disease areas
• Provide scientific leadership for late-phase oncology research, selecting and applying appropriate methodologies based on evidence gaps
• Serve as Medical Affairs Study Lead (MASL) for Gilead-sponsored and collaborative research studies
• Define research questions and guide protocol development for interventional, observational, and/or implementation science studies
• Oversee a portfolio of Oncology MAR studies, ensuring scientific rigor, operational feasibility, governance, and compliance
• Influence cross-functional partners across Development, HEOR, Commercial, Safety, and external stakeholders
• Build and sustain external scientific partnerships including academic investigators, cooperative groups, data partners, and health systems
• Translate study findings into scientific communications such as abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations
• Provide mentorship and scientific leadership within Oncology Medical Affairs to strengthen research capability
• Ensure adherence to regulatory, legal, and business conduct standards governing Medical Affairs research

Key Capabilities & Methodological Expertise

Candidates must demonstrate deep expertise in one or more of the following areas. Expertise in multiple areas is strongly preferred.

• Interventional Research: Expertise in Phase 4 interventional trial design and conduct, including protocol development, feasibility assessment, execution oversight, and collaboration with academic and cooperative research groups.
• Observational / Real-World Evidence Research: Expertise in observational study design and analysis, including use of real-world data sources such as claims, EHRs, registries, and linked datasets, with strong understanding of epidemiologic and methodological rigor.
• Implementation Science Research: Expertise in implementation science frameworks and mixed-methods research, focused on translating evidence into real-world oncology practice, addressing care gaps, and driving adoption and sustainability.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrated scientific credibility and thought leadership in oncology research
• Experience serving as major contributing author on manuscripts, abstracts, or scientific congress submissions.
• Strong strategic thinking with ability to translate complex evidence gaps into actionable research plans
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across complex, matrixed organizations
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a global environment
• High standards of integrity, accountability, and commitment to compliant scientific exchange

Education & Experience

• Advanced scientific or medical degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD, MD, MPH) required.
• Demonstrated history of scientific publications and/or authorship in peer-reviewed journals within the candidate’s primary area of methodological expertise (interventional clinical research, observational / real-world evidence, and/or implementation science).
• Typically, 10+ years of experience in oncology research, medical affairs, or related pharmaceutical or academic settings.
• Significant experience leading late-phase research, including Phase 4, collaborative, and Medical Affairs-led studies.
• Strong understanding of regulatory, ethical, and compliance requirements governing Medical Affairs research activities.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and Twelve Years’ Experience OR Masters' Degree and Ten Years’ Experience OR PhD, PharmD, MD, MPH and Eight Years’ Experience

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.