Director, Medical Affairs Research
Gilead Sciences
Summary
This role is responsible for providing management, operational, and logistical support in global late phase research in all Gilead's therapeutic areas (TAs) including, but not limited to HIV, Liver Diseases, Inflammation and Oncology. This is a highly cross-functional role requiring strong strategic thinking, operational leadership, process excellence, change management, and influencing capabilities. The primary focus is on the development and management of integrated evidence planning across the portfolio to support the strategic development of late phase research.
Job description
Essential Duties & Job Functions
- The IEP Process Lead is responsible for driving the effective execution of Integrated Evidence Plans (IEPs).
- The role provides end-to-end operational leadership to deliver the research strategy in support of the overall asset strategy.
- Working across global, regional, and local teams and relevant cross-functional stakeholders, the IEP Process Lead will ensure that research activities progress from strategy and prioritization of data needs into a research plan for execution with clear ownership, milestones, dependencies, and outcomes.
- Manage Integrated Evidence Planning across therapeutic areas including identification and implementation of process improvements.
- Build strong partnerships across Medical Affairs Research and relevant Medical Affairs and cross-functional teams within the Gilead ecosystem.
- Act as a connector across strategy, governance, operational execution, and functional stakeholders.
- Influence outcomes through credibility, collaboration, and evidence-based recommendations rather than reliance on formal authority.
- Establish milestones, deliverables, ownership, dependencies, and critical decision points for IEP activities.
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong facilitation skills to lead large, complex cross-functional workshops, drive alignment, and translate diverse perspectives into clear outcomes and actions.
- Demonstrated project management, process improvement, and organizational skills, including management of multiple projects with tight timelines while maintaining attention to detail.
- Affinity for a collaborative, team-oriented environment, and approach; must be able to appropriately interact within Medical Affairs, across Development and Commercial, as well as senior management.
- Ability to apply logic and problem-solving skills under pressure, adapt to change, and successfully work independently coupled to excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with process-excellence methodologies and continuous improvement.
- Ability to work in a global environment which will require participation in meetings outside of standard work hours to accommodate time zone differences.
- Strong understanding of research governance and the interfaces between scientific strategy and operational execution.
- Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and develop pragmatic solutions.
- Understanding of the quality, compliance, legal, and regulatory considerations associated with Medical Affairs research.
- Ability to travel as dictated by business needs.
Education & Experience
- BS/BA in life sciences: biological, pharmaceutical sciences, epidemiology required with 12+ years of experience OR MBA or MS in life sciences: biological, pharmaceutical sciences, epidemiology required with 10+ years of experience OR PhD or PharmD in life sciences: biological, pharmaceutical sciences, epidemiology required with 8+ years of experience
- Demonstrated facilitator experience required
- Experience supporting integrated evidence planning and execution coupled to a broad exposure to various aspects of clinical research and operations.
- Strong program and project leadership capabilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (MS, MBA, PhD, PharmD)
- Minimum of 6-8+ years of experience with formal facilitator certification strongly preferred
- Scientific knowledge/ experience in any of Gilead's TAs (HIV, Liver Diseases, Inflammation, or Oncology) a plus but not required.
Requirements
- BS/BA in life sciences: biological, pharmaceutical sciences, epidemiology required with 12+ years of experience OR MBA or MS in life sciences: biological, pharmaceutical sciences, epidemiology required with 10+ years of experience OR PhD or PharmD in life sciences: biological, pharmaceutical sciences, epidemiology required with 8+ years of experience
- Demonstrated facilitator experience required
- Experience supporting integrated evidence planning and execution coupled to a broad exposure to various aspects of clinical research and operations.
- Strong program and project leadership capabilities.
- Strong facilitation skills to lead large, complex cross-functional workshops, drive alignment, and translate diverse perspectives into clear outcomes and actions.
- Demonstrated project management, process improvement, and organizational skills, including management of multiple projects with tight timelines while maintaining attention to detail.
- Affinity for a collaborative, team-oriented environment, and approach; must be able to appropriately interact within Medical Affairs, across Development and Commercial, as well as senior management.
- Ability to apply logic and problem-solving skills under pressure, adapt to change, and successfully work independently coupled to excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with process-excellence methodologies and continuous improvement.
- Ability to work in a global environment which will require participation in meetings outside of standard work hours to accommodate time zone differences.
- Strong understanding of research governance and the interfaces between scientific strategy and operational execution.
- Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and develop pragmatic solutions.
- Understanding of the quality, compliance, legal, and regulatory considerations associated with Medical Affairs research.
- Ability to travel as dictated by business needs
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Annual Bonus
- Stock-based Long-term Incentives
Company overview
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a leading American biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Foster City, California, that specializes in researching, developing, and commercializing innovative medicines for life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1987, Gilead has grown into a global healthcare leader with approximately 17,600 employees worldwide. The company's primary therapeutic focus areas include HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C), oncology, inflammation, and respiratory diseases. Gilead is renowned for its groundbreaking antiviral therapies, including Sovaldi and Harvoni for hepatitis C, and its comprehensive portfolio of HIV treatments such as Truvada, Atripla, and Biktarvy. The company also developed Veklury (remdesivir) for COVID-19 treatment. Gilead operates as a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ (GILD) and is a component of both the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 100 indices. Through strategic acquisitions like Kite Pharma and Immunomedics, Gilead has expanded into cell therapy and oncology, demonstrating its commitment to advancing medical science and improving patient outcomes globally.