Executive Director, Internal & Employee Communications

# 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

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. We are seeking a dynamic and strategic communications leader to serve as **Executive Director, Internal & Employee Communications**.

This pivotal role is responsible for developing and executing an integrated employee communications strategy that advances Gilead’s enterprise priorities, strengthens employee engagement, and connects employees to the company’s mission, strategy, values, culture, and business priorities. The role ensures employees receive clear, timely, relevant, and engaging communications that build understanding, trust, alignment, and connection across the organization.

As a key member of the Public Affairs function, the Executive Director will shape and lead a comprehensive communications strategy encompassing employee engagement, culture communications, enterprise programs, internal channels, and editorial planning. This highly visible leadership role reports to the Vice President, Corporate and Enterprise Communications.

The Executive Director is accountable for enterprise‑wide business and employee communications strategy, including setting priorities, making trade‑off decisions, and ensuring alignment across functions and geographies.

The role will oversee enterprise employee engagement programs, culture communications, internal channels, publishing, and employee‑facing communications programs, activating through Gilead’s Communications Centers of Excellence to deliver integrated communications strategies, coordinated storytelling, and aligned execution across internal, digital, editorial, and employee‑facing channels.

This role demands an innovative thinker who can craft a unified strategy, drive seamless execution, and provide enhanced communications support to achieve critical business and culture 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 communications professionals, collaborating closely with internal partners, senior business leaders, centers of excellence, and agency partners.

# Key Responsibilities

## Lead & Execute Strategy
Drive the development and execution of comprehensive employee communications and engagement strategies that align with enterprise priorities, business objectives, and employee engagement goals. Establish clear goals and measurable KPIs in collaboration with internal stakeholders. Own prioritization decisions and resource allocation across competing enterprise and functional communications needs.

## Data‑Driven Decision Making
Leverage employee insights, engagement data, channel analytics, organizational trends, and feedback mechanisms to inform strategies and provide leaders with timely counsel on employee sentiment, communications effectiveness, and opportunities to improve alignment.

## Enterprise & Functional Narrative
Collaborate with Public Affairs teams, business leaders, Human Resources, and functional partners to shape and deliver compelling enterprise and functional narratives that connect employees to Gilead’s mission, strategy, values, and business priorities.

## Employee Engagement & Culture Strategies
Design and drive communications initiatives that strengthen employee connection, reinforce Gilead’s culture, support inclusion and belonging, and improve understanding of enterprise priorities across the organization, particularly during periods of enterprise change and transformation.

## Strategic Advisory Role
Provide counsel to senior leaders and cross‑functional teams on internal communications, employee engagement, change management, organizational announcements, leadership visibility, and reputational impacts. Serve as the senior strategic communications partner for employee communications and engagement across the enterprise.

Play a critical leadership role in enterprise transformation initiatives, ensuring employee understanding, leadership alignment, and cultural adoption of change.

## Voice of Employees
Amplify employee perspectives by integrating employee sentiment, engagement insights, and organizational feedback into communications strategies and business decisions.

## Issue Monitoring & Response
Identify internal reputational opportunities and challenges, leading efforts to prepare for and respond effectively to sensitive employee, organizational, or culture‑related issues.

## Cross‑Functional Alignment
Serve as a bridge between strategic communications leaders, employee engagement, internal channels, culture communications, Human Resources, Legal, and Public Affairs centers of excellence to ensure coordinated planning, aligned messaging, and consistent execution.

## Internal Channels & Publishing
Oversee internal channels, editorial planning, publishing governance, and content strategy to ensure employees receive timely, relevant, and engaging communications across the appropriate platforms.

## Stakeholder Engagement
Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders and key internal stakeholders across Human Resources, Commercial, Pharmaceutical Development & Manufacturing, Legal, Finance, Public Affairs, and other enterprise functions.

## Team Leadership & Development
Lead and support a high‑performing team responsible for employee engagement, culture communications, internal channels, editorial planning, publishing, and enterprise employee communications programs.

Lead, coach, and develop managers and senior communication leaders, ensuring leadership capability, succession, and bench strength across enterprise communications.

Develop a future‑ready team equipped with modern communications skills, clear priorities, and a strong service mindset.

Provide direction through both direct and matrixed teams, ensuring clarity of roles, decision rights, and accountability.

## Budget Oversight
Proactively manage financial resources, agency support, and operational priorities to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with core strategic priorities.

# Enhanced Qualifications

– Global or enterprise communications leadership experience, preferably in pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or other highly regulated industries.
– Deep expertise across internal communications, executive communications, employee engagement, culture communications, change communications, and digital/internal channel strategy.
– Demonstrated experience shaping integrated communications strategies aligned with business priorities and reputation objectives.
– Proven ability to advise senior executives and functional leaders on communications strategy, employee sentiment, leadership messaging, and organizational change.
– Strong understanding of the employee experience and the role communications plays in building trust, clarity, inclusion, and engagement.
– Track record of effective stakeholder engagement across senior leadership, HR, Legal, Public Affairs, and business functions.
– Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior leaders and cross‑functional teams.
– Experience in issue management, change communications, employee engagement, and internal reputation management.
– Proven ability to develop and lead high‑performing communications teams in complex, matrixed organizations.

# Basic Qualifications

**Bachelor’s Degree and Fourteen Years’ Experience**
**OR**
**Master’s Degree and Twelve Years’ Experience**
**OR**
**PhD and Twelve Years’ Experience**

# Preferred Qualifications

– Master’s Degree and twelve years of experience in corporate communications, internal communications, employee communications, public affairs, or related fields.
– Strong understanding of internal communications platforms, digital channels, social media, and modern employee engagement strategies.
– Experience leading communications in a publicly traded pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or highly regulated company.
– Ability to translate complex business, scientific, operational, and organizational topics into clear, compelling communications.
– Prior experience supporting senior executives, enterprise transformation, culture initiatives, and employee engagement programs.

# People Leader Accountabilities

**Create Inclusion** – Model inclusion and embed the value of diversity in team management.
**Develop Talent** – Understand employee skills, aspirations, and potential; provide coaching and feedback.
**Empower Teams** – Align goals and purpose, remove barriers, and connect teams to the broader organization.

# Compensation

**Salary Range:** $281,010.00 – $363,660.00
Actual compensation varies based on experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, stock‑based long‑term incentives, paid time off, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits information:
`https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing`

# Equal Employment Opportunity (U.S.)

Gilead Sciences Inc. provides equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on protected characteristics. Applicants requiring accommodation may contact **[email protected]**.

Additional notices:
– Know Your Rights poster
– Employee Polygraph Protection Act
– Family and Medical Leave Act

Gilead maintains a work environment free of harassment and supports diversity of thought and experience.

# Internal Applicants

Current Gilead employees and contractors should apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.

Apply here