Privacy Counsel

Gilead Sciences Inc.; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 272,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilead Sciences Inc. is seeking a Privacy Counsel to support US privacy compliance and global privacy matters within the PDE team.

The Associate Director will report to the Head of Global Privacy and advise business and legal stakeholders on privacy, data use, and risk management across markets. You will lead privacy risk assessments, collaborate with IT, Security, Contracts, and Compliance, and develop practical guidance and training.

Qualifications

• JD with preferred minimum 4 years U.S. privacy experience (CIPP a plus).
• Admission to a U.S. state bar in good standing.
• Strong understanding of U.S. and global privacy regulations; IAPP certification preferred.
• Proficiency with privacy management platforms (OneTrust, BigID, TrustArc, ServiceNow).
• 4+ years advising multinational organizations on privacy compliance, preferably in tech/healthcare/digital sectors.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Privacy & Data Ethics team providing practical, business-aligned privacy advice across U.S. operations, with a focus on enabling responsible data use while managing risk.
• Act as a first-line point of contact for privacy inquiries, triaging requests to determine response pathways.
• Provide timely, pragmatic guidance to business stakeholders on data collection, use, disclosures, marketing, vendor interactions, and individual rights.
• Support privacy risk assessments (PRAs), identify risk triggers, evaluate processing activities, escalate high-risk matters as needed.
• Partner with Privacy Operations and cross-functional teams (IT, Security, Contracts, Compliance) to ensure intake, assessment, and documentation are effective.
• Develop and refine standard guidance, templates, and playbooks to improve consistency and scalability of privacy advice.
• Lead development of privacy training and awareness materials for stakeholders.
• Serve as primary privacy advisor on HIPAA-related matters, including health data handling and related program documentation.
• Develop familiarity with health data considerations and emerging privacy risks to advise on routine matters and escalate complex issues.

Skills

Privacy advice

Regulatory knowledge

HIPAA experience

Stakeholder management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission in good standing (US)

IAPP certification (preferred)

Tools

OneTrust

BigID

TrustArc

ServiceNow

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

We are seeking Privacy Counsel to support our US privacy compliance as well as some global support. This role is a key contributor to the global Privacy & Data Ethics (PDE) team, within the Office of Ethics and Compliance and is a trusted advisor to business and legal stakeholders on privacy compliance and risk management, helping the company meet its obligations under applicable privacy laws. The Associate Director reports to the Head of Global Privacy and will work closely with the global privacy team to provide strategic and practical privacy advice across markets, including advising on privacy-by-design, supporting governance frameworks, and translating legal requirements into actionable business guidance.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as a key member of the Privacy & Data Ethics team providing practical, business-aligned privacy advice across U.S. operations, with a focus on enabling responsible data use while managing risk.
• Act as a first-line point of contact for privacy inquiries, including monitoring centralized intake channels and triaging requests to determine appropriate response pathways (e.g., direct response, privacy risk assessment, or escalation).
• Provide timely, pragmatic guidance to business stakeholders on day-to-day privacy questions, including data collection, use, disclosures, marketing practices, vendor interactions, and individual rights.
• Support and advise on privacy risk assessments (PRAs), including helping to identify risk triggers, evaluating proposed processing activities, and escalating high-risk matters as needed.
• Partner closely with Privacy Operations and other cross-functional teams (e.g., IT, Security, Contracts, Compliance) to ensure that intake, assessment, and documentation processes operate effectively and consistently.
• Assist in the development and refinement of standard guidance, templates, and playbooks to improve consistency and scalability of privacy advice across the organization.
• Lead development of practical privacy training and awareness materials, translating privacy requirements into clear, business-friendly guidance for stakeholders.
• Serve as a primary privacy advisor on HIPAA-related matters, including advising the Benefits function on compliant use and handling of health data and supporting development of related program documentation.
• Develop subject-matter familiarity in key areas relevant to Gilead’s business, including health data considerations and emerging privacy risks, with the ability to advise on routine matters and elevate complex issues appropriately

Minimum Required Education and Years of Experience

Bachelor's Degree and Eight Years’ Experience OR Masters' Degree and Six Years’ Experience OR Ph.D.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

JD with preferred minimum 4 years U.S., privacy experience (CIPP certification a plus).

• 4+ years advising multinational organizations on privacy compliance, preferably in the technology, healthcare, financial, or digital sectors.
• Admission to a U.S. state bar in good standing.
• Strong understanding of U.S. and global privacy regulations; IAPP certification (or equivalent) preferred.
• Proficiency with privacy management platforms (e.g., OneTrust, BigID, TrustArc, ServiceNow).
• Proven track record of project execution and process development, including implementation and ongoing management.
• Strong legal and business judgment, including drafting, analytical, and negotiation skills, with the ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical guidance for stakeholders.
• Some experience with advising on HIPAA and health data privacy compliance, including supporting business functions (e.g., Benefits) and contributing to development of related policies, procedures, and guidance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience working effectively in a global, matrixed environment.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple priorities and independently navigate competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative team player with a positive, solutions-oriented approach and a bias for action in addressing privacy challenges.

People Leader Accountabilities

• Create Inclusion - knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.
• Develop Talent - understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current performance and future potential. They ensure employees are receiving the feedback and insight needed to grow, develop and realize their purpose.
• Empower Teams - connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizational objectives, and holding them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem.

The salary range for this position is: $210,375.00 - $272,250.00. 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.

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 [e-mail] for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT Gilead Sciences will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.