layiq

/la·yiq/adjective

worthy; deserving; fitting; suitable.

A role, opportunity, or path that merits attention, time, and pursuit.

Vice President, Global Research, Development & Therapeutic Area Public Affairs at Gilead Sciences | LAYIQ

Executive Leadership, Governance & Strategic Counsel
Serve as the accountable executive owner for global R&D public affairs and communications strategy, with clear decision rights, governance, and escalation pathways.
Act as a senior counselor to the Head s of Research and Development and other leadership on reputation, transparency, disclosure readiness, and external dynamics impacting scientific and development priorities.
Establish annual objectives , measurable KPIs, and a performance management rhythm to ensure strategic focus, accountability, and high-impact outcomes.
Product Development & Regulatory Milestone Communications
Lead communications for high-stakes product development and regulatory milestones, including:
Trial initiations, protocol milestones, interim analyses, and top-line and full data readouts
End-of-Phase meetings, breakthrough/fast track designations, and advisory committee preparation
Regulatory submissions, approvals, complete response letters, labeling updates, and post-marketing commitments
Clinical holds, safety updates, and significant development program changes
Ensure communications are scientifically accurate , compliant, and appropriately sequenced across internal and external audiences, coordinating with Regulatory, Medical, Legal, Compliance, Investor Relations, and Commercial partners.
Lead scenario planning, message development, and executive preparation (talking points, Q&A, holding statements, and backgrounders) for milestone announcements.
Drive consistent global execution by aligning with regional/country teams and establishing scalable playbooks.
Scientific, Platform & Pipeline Narrative Development
Shape and steward an enterprise R&D narrative that reinforces Gilead’s scientific ambition, innovation platforms, and commitment to unmet medical need .
Translate complex science into clear, credible, audience-specific storytelling for employees, media, policymakers, patient communities, academic experts, and other external stakeholders.
Partner with R&D and Medical Affairs to elevate scientific thought leadership, congress strategies (as appropriate for Public Affairs), and responsible communications around emerging science.
R&D Internal Communications & Change Leadership
Lead internal communications for R&D strategy, portfolio evolution, organizational changes, and key progress updates to build clarity, engagement, and confidence.
Enable leadership communications for senior R&D leaders (town halls, written communications, narrative frameworks, and leader toolkits).
Ensure internal and external narratives are aligned to reinforce transparency and trust.
Issues Management, Crisis Preparedness & Rapid Response
Own the issues management approach for R&D-related topics (e.g., safety events, trial setbacks, pipeline reprioritizations, regulatory actions, scientific controversy).
Lead crisis preparedness, including monitoring, escalation, cross-functional war-room operations, and post-incident learning.
Provide real-time counsel and communications leadership during high-pressure events, ensuring disciplined messaging and coordinated execution.
Advocacy & Policy Interface for Science and Innovation
Partner with Government Affairs/Policy and other stakeholders to support science- and regulation-adjacent advocacy priorities (e.g., clinical trial participation and diversity, research ecosystems, regulatory science, innovation policy).
Help integrate health equity and patient access considerations into R&D storytelling in partnership with relevant teams, ensuring credibility and appropriate governance .
Data-Driven Decision Making & Measurement
Leverage insights, trends, and analytics to inform strategy and provide leaders with real-time counsel on external developments.
Define and track KPIs for R&D communications (readiness, reach, sentiment, narrative pull-through, stakeholder impact), using data to optimize plans and demonstrate value.
Cross-Functional & Global Alignment
Serve as the bridge between Public Affairs centers of expertise and R&D stakeholders to ensure consistent, enterprise-aligned communications.
Align with Investor Relations and Finance, as appropriate, to support market-sensitive disclosures and ensure rigorous coordination.
Build strong partnerships across regional/country public affairs teams to support local regulatory and development milestones while maintaining global consistency.
Team Leadership, Capability Building & Operating Model
Build and lead a high-performing, future-ready R&D communications team with strong scientific fluency and modern communications capabilities.
Develop talent through coaching, clear objectives , stretch opportunities, and succession planning.
Oversee agency and vendor partners; manage budget and resource allocation to ensure operational excellence and strategic prioritization.
Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and 16+ years of progressively responsible communications/public affairs experience; academic background in a scientific discipline preferred; advanced degree ( Maste r’s or PhD) a plus.
Demonstrated leadership of R&D, clinical development, and regulatory milestone communications in pharmaceutical/biotech or closely related settings.
Strong command of global regulatory and disclosure environments and the intersection of science, policy, and public perception .
Proven ability to translate complex science into clear, credible messaging across internal and external audiences.
Track record advising senior leaders with sound judgment, executive presence, and the ability to influence without authority.
Deep experience in issues management and crisis communications, including high-stakes, time-sensitive, and market-sensitive scenarios.
Proven ability to recruit, develop, and lead high-performing teams, and to manage agencies, budgets, and resources effectively.

Experience communicating in or across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities (e.g., small molecules, biologics, cell/gene therapy, oncology, virology, inflammation).
Strong understanding of media, digital, and social strategies in healthcare and science communications.
Familiarity with how advocacy, patient engagement, and health equity intersect with R&D and clinical development.
People Leader Accountabilities: Create Inclusion : Model inclusive leadership and embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into how the team operates , makes decisions, and develops talent.
Develop Talent : Understand employees’ skills, aspirations, and potential; provide coaching, feedback, and opportunities that grow both current performance and future readiness.
Empower Teams : Align goals to enterprise and R&D priorities, clarify decision rights, remove barriers, and connect the team to the broader Public Affairs and R&D ecosystem.
For jobs in the United States: Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.
For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.
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Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.
For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors: Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.

Vice President, Global Research, Development & Therapeutic Area Public Affairs

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