Public Affairs Lead

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.
 

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.
 

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description
 

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company founded in 1987. Together we deliver life-saving therapies to patients in need. With the commitment and drive you bring to the workplace every day, you will be part of a team that is changing the world and helping millions of people live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Our worldwide staff is a close community where you can see the tangible results of your contributions, where every individual matters, and everyone has a chance to enhance their skills through ongoing development. Our scientific focus has resulted in marketed products that are benefiting millions of people, a pipeline of late-stage drug candidates, and unmatched patient access programs to ensure medications are available to those who could otherwise not afford them. By joining Gilead, you will further our mission to address unmet medical needs and improve life by advancing the care of patients with life-threatening diseases.

Public Affairs Lead, Türkiye

The Public Affairs Lead, Türkiye, is responsible for setting and executing the internal and external communications and stakeholder engagement strategies for Türkiye, in alignment with the global Public Affairs team and in support of the region’s business priorities. The position reports to the Executive Director of Intercontinental Public Affairs. This position will sit on the Türkiye Leadership Team and work closely with Gilead Türkiye’s general manager, in addition to other functional leaders and the global PA team. This leader will be a motivating force to others and develop positive relationships with cross-functional teams. This person will promote, enhance and protect Gilead’s corporate reputation, enable the Türkiye business goals and enhance Gilead’s connection with our patients, community and relevant stakeholders.

Responsibilities include:

• Oversee the development and execution of Türkiye’s external and internal communications strategy in support of the product portfolio and business objectives, anticipating short-, medium- and long-term needs. Strategy components include: media relations, advocacy relations, storytelling, reputation management, issues and crisis management, thought leadership, corporate and employee communications and content/channel planning.

• Create and implement an integrated external communications plan, ensuring Gilead builds relationships with and delivers timely and accurate information to patient organizations, media and other relevant groups (e.g., trade associations) who influence the public discussion about our industry, therapeutic areas of focus and the general healthcare environment.

• Proactively manage and plan for potential issues across Türkiye.

• Align with other external facing functions to communicate consistent messaging across policymakers, patient groups, physicians, manufacturers and payers.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with business press, consumer media, key industry opinion leaders and external stakeholders.

• Partner with and provide key input to our global corporate and internal communications strategy by proactively driving Türkiye content, stories and programs that support our overall corporate narrative and drive an engaged workforce.

• Drive communications strategy and execution.

• Ensure that local messaging, narratives and FAQs scale to global versions, are integrated into our communication efforts and are consistent across channels.

• Support region, country, and project teams to plan and execute PA activities, conferences, and other events as needed.

• Apply data and insights to drive key objectives and reputational KPIs for Türkiye.

• Champion the inclusion of the patient voice in strategic decision-making and cross-functional projects.

• Actively coach and develop the capabilities needed to advance the work of PA and help create an enriching and energizing work environment.

• Manage the Türkiye PA budget and external agencies in an effective manner.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills:

• Extensive public affairs leadership experience, preferably in pharmaceutical or biotech, with significant experience in Türkiye.

• Desire and ability to look ahead, anticipate industry trends, and align with external market factors and internal dynamics.

• Highly effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively and comfortably interact at all levels. Ability to create factual, relevant and easily understandable talking points and other messaging, and persuasively deliver it to relevant audiences.

• Seasoned storyteller and business-oriented communicator with a strong belief in Gilead’s mission.

• Proven leadership and management skills in a matrixed environment, with strength in having influence without line reporting authority.

• Strong analytical experience, has previously worked in a data driven organization and understands how to apply and measure analytics.

• Expert in corporate communications, proven experience managing executive and crisis communications, and in the application of digital and social media tools and channels to communications programming.

• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, effectively analyzing and assessing opportunities and threats.

• Ability to influence, negotiate with, and effectively persuade others.

• Effective prioritization skills.

• Flexible, with strong judgment / decision-making skills, and political acumen and awareness.

• Ability to think critically, process data from multiple sources, forecast potential scenarios, build a course of action, and make recommendations even in ambiguous situations.

• Maintain highest personal levels of ethical conduct, confidentiality, and integrity, with strongest professional reputation in the industry.

• Ability to travel within Türkiye and Internationally approximately 30-40%

• Bachelors degree required, masters or MBA preferred, in relevant field.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

It is the policy of Gilead Sciences, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively "Gilead" or the "Company") to recruit select and employ the most qualified persons available for positions throughout the Company.  Except if otherwise provided by applicable law, all  employment actions relating to issues such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, returns from layoffs, company-sponsored training, education assistance, social and recreational programs are administered on a non-discriminatory basis (i.e. without regard to protected characteristics or prohibited grounds, which may include an individual’s gender, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, veteran status, and age, unless such protection is prohibited by federal, state, municipal, provincial, local or other applicable laws).  Gilead also prohibits discrimination based on any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.