Sr Director, Strategic Communications - Chief Commercial Officer

Gilead Sciences • Foster City, CA

18h • $243,100 - $314,600

About The Position

At Gilead, the mission is to create a healthier world for all people by tackling diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer through the development of life-changing therapies. The company emphasizes collaboration, determination, and a relentless drive to make a difference, with every team member playing a critical role in scientific innovation. Gilead values its employees as its greatest asset and seeks passionate individuals ready to make a direct impact, fostering an inclusive environment where employees feel developed and empowered. This specific role is for an exceptional, experienced, and strategic senior communications leader responsible for shaping and executing Gilead’s commercial communications and executive narrative during high-impact business moments. This includes developing and executing a proactive, integrated communications strategy to support Commercial priorities such as product launches, market expansion, and performance milestones. The Senior Director serves as a key advisor to the Chief Commercial Officer and partners across various functions like Commercial, Public Affairs, Legal, Finance, and Government Affairs. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the role involves translating complex business, scientific, and operational topics into clear, compelling executive-level communications that support business priorities, organizational change, emerging issues, and reputational considerations. This position will lead a coordinated 360° communications approach in partnership with Gilead’s Communications Center of Excellence, supporting executive visibility and engagement tied to commercial priorities, and reports to the Vice President, Corporate Communications.

Requirements

• Demonstrated and deep expertise supporting executive, strategic or commercial communications within a global, matrixed organization.
• Viewed as a subject matter expert capable of influencing senior leaders through credibility, insight, and judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop solutions to complex, nonroutine problems that may set precedent for future decisions.
• Strong understanding of commercial strategy, product lifecycle, and market dynamics.
• Proven ability to translate complex business priorities into clear and effective communications.
• Experience supporting executive visibility across internal and external channels.
• Exceptional strategic writing and editing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information rapidly and clearly.
• Sound judgment and composure in managing sensitive or high-impact situations.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Experience leading through influence and driving alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to operate independently, manage ambiguity, and deliver highimpact outcomes through influence rather than authority.
• Demonstrated ability to manage agency partners and complex communications programs.
• Bachelor’s degree and 14+ years of experience, or Master’s degree and 12+ years of experience, or 12+ years of experience in strategic communications, executive communications, corporate affairs, or related roles within a publicly traded company or agency environment.

Nice To Haves

• Healthcare or biopharma experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that support commercial priorities and during business-critical moments, including product launches, market expansion, key business milestones, organizational change and emerging issues.
• Serve as a primary strategic and trusted advisor to the Chief Commercial Officer and Commercial Leadership Team on business positioning, narrative development, stakeholder engagement, and reputational considerations.
• Lead the creation, review, and refinement of executive-level materials including speeches, business updates, town halls, talking points, Q&A documents, and external thought leadership that support long-range commercial priorities.
• Translate commercial strategy, performance priorities, and market dynamics into clear and compelling communications aligned with business objectives.
• Anticipate risks and opportunities, independently identifying communications needs and proactively shaping executive narratives.
• Partner across the Communications Center of Excellence, including Internal Communications, Media Relations, Digital and Social, and Issues Management, to ensure coordinated execution across all channels.
• Support communications strategy and execution during sensitive or business-critical situations impacting the Commercial organization.
• Act as a central liaison across Commercial, Public Affairs, Legal, Finance, and other functions to ensure alignment and consistent communications.
• Serve as a senior communications consultant and representative on highly significant matters related to commercial strategy, messaging, and executive visibility.
• Support executive preparation and coaching for internal and external engagements, including industry events, media interactions, and leadership forums.
• Leverage data, stakeholder insights, and performance metrics to assess and refine communications strategies.
• Operate with minimal direction, exercising sound judgment in sensitive, highvisibility, or reputationally significant situations.
• Provide recommendations that often influence financial, employee, and public perception outcomes.
• Manage external agencies and advisors supporting strategic communications programs and commercial milestones.
• 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.

Benefits

• Discretionary annual bonus
• Discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role)
• Paid time off
• Company-sponsored medical insurance plans
• Company-sponsored dental insurance plans
• Company-sponsored vision insurance plans
• Company-sponsored life insurance plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees