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

As the primary Public Affairs liaison to the R&D organization, the Vice President will develop and execute an integrated internal and external communications strategy that advances enterprise priorities, strengthens trust in our science, and enables business readiness for key pipeline and regulatory events. This leader will provide senior counsel to R&D and enterprise leaders on reputation and risk, set the operating model and governance for R&D communications globally, and build a high-performing team with deep scientific, regulatory, and issues-management expertise. 

This highly visible leadership role sits within Public Affairs, partners closely with R&D leadership (Discovery, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Biometrics, Safety, and Operations), and collaborates across Corporate Communications, Internal Communications, Government Affairs/Policy, Medical Affairs, Legal, Compliance, Investor Relations, and regional/country teams. 
 

Key Responsibilities Include: 

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 Heads 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 (Master’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. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• 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.