Director, Public Affairs, U.S. HIV Treatment Communications
Gilead Sciences
Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director, U.S. Treatment Public Affairs, the Director, Public Affairs, U.S. HIV Treatment Communications will serve as the Public Affairs launch lead on the U.S. HIV Treatment team. This high-impact, director-level role is responsible for leading the U.S. public affairs strategy and execution for the potential launch, shaping the external narrative around a potential new once-weekly oral HIV treatment option, and advancing above-brand communications that strengthen understanding of the evolving HIV treatment landscape.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Positioning
- Lead development of a comprehensive U.S. public affairs strategy for potential product launches, aligned with enterprise priorities, the broader U.S. HIV Treatment strategy, and cross-functional launch plans.
- Shape treatment-focused messaging and positioning, grounded in science, the needs of people living with HIV, and health equity considerations.
- Partner with Medical Affairs and Clinical Development to ensure accurate, credible, and compliant translation of clinical data for external audiences.
- Anticipate and address policy, access, and societal dynamics (e.g., stigma, disparities, treatment access and adoption) that may impact launch success.
- Establish frameworks, narratives, and best practices that can be scaled across future HIV treatment and launch communications efforts.
Above-Brand HIV Treatment Leadership
- Lead above-brand communications initiatives that strengthen understanding of the evolving HIV treatment landscape and reinforce Gilead's broader leadership and long-term commitment in HIV.
- Develop disease-state education and thought leadership that address unmet needs, treatment barriers, stigma, health equity, and the changing needs of people living with HIV, while maintaining clear separation from product-specific promotion.
- Partner across Public Affairs, Medical Affairs, Government Affairs, Market Access, Community Engagement and Advocacy, and other functions to identify opportunities for coordinated above-brand storytelling and stakeholder engagement.
- Ensure ISL/LEN launch communications connect with and contribute to the broader U.S. HIV Treatment narrative, portfolio priorities, and reputation strategy.
Launch Planning & Execution
- Lead the end-to-end U.S. Public Affairs launch communications strategy and execution for product launches, leveraging internal and external partners.
- Oversee spokesperson strategy and readiness, including executive and third-party voices.
- Drive integrated channel activation across earned, owned, paid, and social media.
- Partner closely with Market Access and Government Affairs to ensure communications support access, coverage, and appropriate uptake within the HIV treatment landscape.
Community & Advocacy Integration
- Ensure community and advocacy perspectives are embedded throughout launch and above-brand planning and execution.
- Partner with community engagement and advocacy leads to support credible, non-promotional awareness and education efforts related to the evolving HIV treatment landscape.
- Support development of community-informed narratives that reflect the real-world needs, experiences, barriers, and priorities of people living with HIV.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Serve as a strategic connector across functions, ensuring alignment across Public Affairs, Medical Affairs, Commercial, Market Access, Government Affairs, Legal, and Regulatory.
- Provide communications counsel to senior leaders and influence decision-making on high-profile, complex issues.
- Ensure all communications are fully compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Shape and influence enterprise-level narratives and decision-making related to HIV treatment, including access, policy, reputation, and launch strategy considerations.
- Represent Public Affairs in cross-functional leadership forums, ensuring alignment of communications strategy with broader business objectives.
Issues Management & Reputation
- Anticipate and manage potential issues and sensitivities (e.g., access, pricing, health equity, adherence, resistance, and comparisons to existing HIV treatment options).
- Develop and execute issues management and crisis preparedness plans tied to product launches and broader HIV treatment narrative.
- Protect and enhance corporate reputation in the context of Gilead's leadership in HIV treatment.
Measurement & Insights
- Monitor, analyze, and drive performance across media coverage, stakeholder engagement, sentiment, and reputation metrics.
- Deliver measurable impact against defined launch and above-brand success metrics.
- Translate insights into real-time optimization of launch and above-brand communications strategies.
- Report impact and performance against defined KPIs, in coordination with Corporate Communications and Reputation teams.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree and Twelve Years' Experience OR Masters' Degree and Ten Years' Experience OR PhD and Eight Years' Experience
- 12+ years of experience (or 10+ with advanced degree) in public affairs, communications, or related roles within the biopharmaceutical or healthcare sector
- Proven experience leading communications strategy and execution for a major product launch, ideally in HIV, infectious disease or another highly competitive therapeutic area
- Strong understanding of the HIV treatment landscape, including current treatment approaches, access dynamics, community priorities, and health equity considerations
- Deep experience working in highly matrixed environments, with demonstrated ability to influence across cross-functional teams (including Legal and Regulatory)
- Experience engaging with external stakeholders, including advocacy organizations, public health leaders, and third-party experts
- Strong expertise in issues management, media relations and corporate reputation
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex clinical and policy topics into clear, credible communications
- Strategic thinker with strong executional discipline and attention to detail
- Demonstrated experience developing above-brand, disease-state education, or thought leadership communications in a regulated healthcare environment
- Recognized subject matter expert in public affairs strategy, particularly within HIV treatment, infectious disease or a related healthcare area
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including experience advising senior leaders
- Strong project management capabilities, with ability to manage multiple priorities and external partners
- Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements governing biopharmaceutical communications
- Passion for improving the lives of people living with HIV and advancing equitable access to treatment
Benefits
- Annual Bonus
- Stock-Based Long-Term Incentives
- Paid Time Off
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Life Insurance
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.