Director, Legal - Canada

Gilead Sciences•Mississauga, ON

22h•CA$211,480 - CA$273,680•Hybrid

About The Position

At Gilead, Creating Possible drives everything we do. It’s evident in our mission and core values. This is how we built a culture of excellence that is fuelled by a passion for improving the lives of people around the world and advancing the care of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases. We are driven to develop lifesaving products that make a difference for patients around the world. Every day, we aim to transform the promise of science and technology into breakthrough, innovative therapies that have the power to cure, prevent or treat disease. As a research-based bio pharmaceutical company, we are revolutionizing healthcare by bringing medicines to patients in the areas of unmet need including HIV/AIDS, liver diseases, haematology, oncology, and inflammatory diseases. When you join Gilead, you join our mission to change the world by enabling people to live healthier and more fulfilling lives. This is an outstanding opportunity to join a thriving bio-pharmaceutical company, providing strategic legal and compliance support across a broad range of operational and commercial matters. This role will support Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc., based in Mississauga, Ontario. We are seeking a highly accomplished legal professional who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and is passionate about partnering with the business to drive meaningful outcomes. This role offers the opportunity to act as a trusted advisor, shaping key decisions and influencing strategy within a highly regulated and innovative industry. The successful candidate will provide expert legal advice and counsel to the Canadian business on a wide range of strategic and operational initiatives. The role includes supporting business partners across multiple functions—including Sales & Marketing, Medical Affairs, Public Affairs, Commercial Operations, Market Access, Government Affairs, and Regulatory—to ensure compliance with applicable Canadian laws and regulations, drive operational excellence, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.

Requirements

Deep legal expertise in your area(s) of responsibility, with the ability to navigate complex and evolving regulatory environments with confidence.
Exceptional communication skills—able to distil complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice.
A strong client-service mindset, anticipating business needs and responding with agility and judgement.
The ability to operate independently, managing priorities and delivering results with minimal oversight.
A track record of developing persuasive recommendations and influencing decision-making at senior levels.
Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills with a solutions-oriented approach.
Strong organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
A collaborative and adaptable approach, thriving in cross-functional teams.
A proactive, motivated mindset with a strong sense of ownership.
Fluency in English with excellent professional proficiency.
Requires a Juris Doctorate and called to the Bar of Ontario.
10+ years of experience in private practice and/or in-house roles.
Experience advising on statutes, regulations, guidance documents, and ethical standards governing the pharmaceutical industry including the Food and Drugs Act & Regulations, anti-bribery laws, privacy laws, Competition Act, patent laws, PAAB’s Code of Advertising Acceptance, IMC Code of Ethical Practices.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in technology tools used by the Legal Department including Imanage, Team Connect, CoPilot, and Microsoft Teams is helpful.

Responsibilities

Act as a strategic legal partner to cross-functional teams, supporting both day-to-day operations and key business initiatives.
Advise business partners on various commercial and medical initiatives in a way that advances the company’s strategy while addressing legal risks and protecting the company’s integrity and reputation.
Provide legal guidance on advertising, promotion, and interactions with healthcare professionals and organisations.
Support corporate governance, internal policies, and compliance frameworks, and assist with internal reviews.
Identify opportunities to streamline contracting processes, templates, and playbooks.
Analyse emerging pharmaceutical regulatory trends and provide proactive legal guidance to the organisation.
Develop and deliver training to build employee awareness of local legal and compliance obligations.
Ensure compliance policies and procedures are up to date and support efficient operation of compliant business activities.
Manage and coordinate with external counsel on legal matters, including disputes, regulatory issues, and specialised advice.