Director, Public Affairs, US HIV Prevention Communications & Media Relations

Gilead; Lake Hiawatha (NJ); On-site; USD 191,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Director of Public Affairs to lead innovative communications strategies in HIV prevention. This pivotal role involves crafting impactful media relations and marketing campaigns that resonate with diverse stakeholders. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with corporate values while driving measurable results. If you are passionate about public health and have a proven track record in media relations, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in the field. Join a team dedicated to changing lives and advancing healthcare solutions.

Benefits

Discretionary annual bonus

Stock-based long-term incentives

Paid time off

Company-sponsored medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in public affairs or media relations.
• Proven experience as a spokesperson and media strategist.
• Strong leadership and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead communications for new prevention therapies.
• Manage and execute national strategic product launch plans.
• Build relationships with journalists and oversee media inquiries.

Skills

Media Relations

Public Relations

Communications Strategy

Project Management

Crisis Management

Creative Campaign Development

Stakeholder Engagement

Social Media Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Media Monitoring Tools

Project Management Software

Job description

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.

Director, Public Affairs, US HIV Prevention Communications & Media Relations

This role will develop and lead communications activities in support of new Gilead prevention therapies, following the results of the company’s PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2 clinical trials.

The role will involve developing and implementing creative and impactful proactive programs that reach a range of stakeholders across HIV-affected communities and educate them on the importance of HIV prevention and the potential benefits of pre-exposure prophylaxis. This position will play a heavy role in pitching and working with the media to tell the incredible scientific storytelling behind Gilead’s PrEP business, community impact, and beyond. This role will work in partnership with the Sr Director in developing public relations strategies and tactics that complement and support non-branded educational/awareness campaigns, product-specific campaigns and above brand environment conditioning campaigns. Media relations/communications experience supporting large-scale direct-to-consumer campaigns is preferred.

This role will work closely with cross-functional colleagues in the U.S. Commercial organization, Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Legal, and Government Affairs as well as coordinating with colleagues across Public Affairs’ global centers of expertise and global therapeutic area communications to help inform cross-functional priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Media Relations

• Align with Corporate Communications on media activities, including developing executive briefing materials, pitches, and manage select reporter inquiries proactively and on demand.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and key media outlets.
• Oversee media inquiries and coordinate press conferences, interviews, and public statements.
• Monitor environment and media to anticipate and advise on key issues relating to the company’s products and programs in the HIV therapeutic area. Disseminating relevant coverage to key internal teams.
• Manage media responses to public or reputational issues.

Marketing Shaping and Launch Readiness

• Manage and execute aspects of a high-profile national strategic, multi-platform and multi-channel product launch plan in the U.S.
• Coordinate tactics with a diverse group of cross-functional stakeholders to drive integrated and measurable results against corporate and commercial priorities.
• Identify and manage external agency resources to swiftly and effectively execute creative and compelling communications tactics that educate and persuade new and existing audiences on the value of Gilead’s HIV prevention therapies.
• Lead the development of materials, campaigns, social media content, events, and activations to support Public Affairs and cross-functional partners objectives.
• Craft clear, consistent messaging for press releases, speeches, op-eds, and briefing materials.
• Ensure alignment of public messaging with corporate values and strategic goals.
• Oversee the submission, review, and approval of all materials through Gilead’s review committee process.
• Ensure all materials are accurate and comply with business conduct and regulatory requirements.

Ways of Working

• Represent the Public Affairs team at cross-functional workgroups.
• Collaborate on programs related to HIV in other Public Affairs and U.S. Commercial teams and centers of excellence. Programs may include advertising and marketing campaigns, corporate website and intranet content development, advocacy group engagement, and co-creation funding announcements, among others.
• Support budget management including monthly reconciliation and tracking to help ensure efficient, timely and accurate financial accountability.
• Manage internal communications related to public affairs initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in public affairs, media relations, communications or a similar role—ideally within a media, healthcare, or pharma communications environment.
• Proven experience as a spokesperson and media strategist.
• Deep understanding of the media landscape, launch strategy from a Comms perspective and reputational risk management.
• Strong leadership, writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
• Proven successful experience in product launch and associated communications activities, with demonstrated experience building detailed, strategic, creative, cross-functional and measurable plans that align with business objectives.
• Experience in developing and leading large-scale DTC communications (additional plug-ins with advocacy groups a plus).
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and diligence.
• Experience working in a matrixed organization with a business orientation.
• Demonstrated self-starter with excellent project management expertise and experience.
• Creative and operationally competent.
• Experience in developing consumer social media influencer and/or celebrity campaigns.
• Proven ability to multi-task and balance multiple competing priorities.
• Experience working in a matrixed organization with a business orientation.
• Ability to manage through influence and drive alignment across diverse teams.
• Strong desire to work well with diverse employees and partners in a cooperative and collaborative manner.
• Ability to interact with more senior colleagues as well as external partners and patient advocates appropriately, with confidence and ease.

Preferred Attributes:

• Strong network of media and political contacts.
• Experience managing communications in a crisis.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive and solutions-focused mindset.

Gilead Core Values

• Integrity (Doing What’s Right)
• Inclusion (Encouraging Diversity)
• Teamwork (Working Together)
• Excellence (Being Your Best)
• Accountability (Taking Personal Responsibility)

The salary range for this position is: $191,250.00 - $247,500.00. Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

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

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

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