Executive Director, Intercontinental (ICR), Public Affairs

Gilead Sciences•Foster City, CA

About The Position

Gilead is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as Executive Director, Regional Lead, Intercontinental (ICR) Public Affairs. This pivotal role is responsible for developing and executing an integrated communications and advocacy strategy that advances the objectives of our Intercontinental Region’s Commercial business. As a key member of both the Public Affairs function and the Intercontinental Commercial leadership team, the Executive Director will shape and lead a comprehensive public affairs strategy encompassing external and internal communications, issue monitoring and response, leadership communications, and advocacy initiatives. This highly visible leadership role reports to the Senior Vice President, Public Affairs. Acting as the primary liaison for ICR regional commercial operations, the Executive Director will be instrumental in strengthening Gilead’s market presence, reputation, and stakeholder relationships across the region, which includes Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Middle East, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Latin American Mid-Size Markets, Turkey, South Korea, China, Japan and Gilead Patient Solutions (GPS). The Gilead Patient Solutions (GPS) team operates in low- and lower-middle-income countries across the world to champion innovative solutions that improve patient outcomes, promote health system sustainability, strengthen infrastructure and uplift communities. This role demands an innovative thinker who can craft a unified strategy, drive seamless execution, and provide enhanced support to achieve critical business priorities. The ideal candidate is both a visionary strategist and a hands-on leader capable of coaching and inspiring a high-performing team. They will oversee a team of professionals, collaborating closely with agency partners and senior business leaders.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree and Fourteen Years’ Experience OR Masters' Degree and Twelve Years’ Experience OR PhD and Twelve Years’ Experience
Global public affairs leadership experience, preferably in pharmaceutical or biotech, with significant experience in markets outside North America, including previous management of global teams and a reputation for outstanding leadership, team building & recruiting.
Proven ability to develop strong teams.
Deep expertise across the whole spectrum of communication functions including corporate, internal and product communications.
Proven experience in management of product launches
Demonstrated experience shaping integrated communications and advocacy strategies that align with business priorities and reputation goals, particularly experience in product launches.
Strong understanding of the ex-U.S. healthcare environment and the intersection of political, social, and commercial dynamics particularly in low- to lower-middle income countries.
Track record of effective external stakeholder engagement, specifically in developing strong relationships, particularly with the patient community, and engaging academic experts and healthcare advocates with empathy and confidence.
Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
Experience in issue management and crisis communications, corporate reputation management, and internal alignment.
Proven ability to develop and lead high-performing communication teams, individuals and leaders.

Nice To Haves

Masters Degree and Twelve (12) Years Experience in Pharma communications or Public Relations
Strong understanding of media, digital, social media, and other modern strategies in healthcare.
Familiarity with how advocacy and health equity intersect.
Prior experience in HIV and/or Oncology communications, advocacy, government affairs, marketing or medical affairs is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead & Execute Strategy: Drive the development and execution of comprehensive regional communications and advocacy strategies that align with business objectives and portfolio priorities. Establish clear goals and measurable KPIs in collaboration with internal stakeholders to ensure strategic focus, accountability, and high-performance outcomes.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage insights, trends, and analytics to inform strategies, and provide business leaders with real-time counsel on external developments.
Corporate & Brand Narrative: Collaborate with global Public Affairs teams to shape and deliver a compelling corporate and brand story tailored to the key markets within the region, ensuring alignment across therapeutic areas and advocacy stakeholders.
Product Launch & Access Strategies: Design and drive communications and advocacy initiatives that support new product launches and ensure access for patients in the region.
Strategic Advisory Role: Provide counsel to the regional Commercial leadership team and cross-functional leaders on reputational impacts, ensuring alignment and market readiness. Partner with government affairs and policy on strategic imperatives. Serve as the Public Affairs Business partner to the Head of the ICR region and ICR cross-functional leadership team.
Voice of Key Audiences: Amplify the perspectives of regional stakeholders, integrating reputational considerations into core strategies and business decisions.
Issue Monitoring & Response: Identify reputational opportunities and challenges, leading internal efforts to manage and respond effectively to priority issues.
Cross-Functional Alignment: Serve as a bridge between public affairs centers of expertise, ensuring regional strategies align with corporate communications, global advocacy, citizenship, and health equity initiatives. Ensure a structure and approach that complements existing teams and builds collaboration.
Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with key ICR and Global internal and external stakeholders, including Commercial, Government Affairs, Medical Affairs, Marketing, policymakers, media, patient groups, advocacy organizations, and industry partners.
Team Leadership & Development: Lead and support the country teams across the region to plan and execute country plans across corporate, internal and product communications. Develop a high-performing, future-ready public affairs team equipped with modern skills, clear objectives, and strategic priorities.
Budget Oversight: Proactively manage financial resources to ensure operational effectiveness and alignment with core strategic priorities.