Job Information
Gilead Sciences, Inc. Senior Director, Product Communications in Parsippany, New Jersey
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
Kite Pharma is a leader in cell therapy, focused on delivering potentially transformative treatments for people living with cancer. We are seeking a Senior Director, Product Communications to serve as the communications lead for a late‑stage asset in our portfolio, responsible for setting the strategic communications vision and driving integrated, global, multi‑channel communications that support the asset’s development, launch readiness, commercialization, and long‑term reputation.
This senior leader will partner closely with colleagues across Commercial, Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Corporate Affairs, Government Affairs, and Regional Public Affairs teams to build and sustain a compelling narrative for the asset, aligned to Kite’s mission and priorities. The role requires a combination of scientific fluency, strategic thinking, enterprise mindset, strong cross‑functional leadership, and excellence in execution.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Develop and own the US communications strategy for a late‑stage asset, ensuring alignment with commercial planning, clinical development milestones, medical strategy, and corporate priorities.
Serve as a senior advisor to Kite and Gilead leadership teams, offering insights on the external environment, media landscape, and emerging risks/opportunities relevant to the asset.
Build and maintain a cohesive asset narrative, including messaging frameworks, data storylines, and integrated storytelling tools for use across markets and functions.
Product & Data Communications
Lead communications planning and execution for major asset milestones, including pivotal data presentations, publications, regulatory submissions, approval events, and lifecycle expansion activities.
Partner with Medical Affairs and Clinical Development to ensure accurate translation of complex scientific information into clear, compliant, targeted communications.
Oversee materials through Kite and Gilead’s internal review systems, ensuring all content meets regulatory, legal, and conduct standards.
Integrated External & Internal Communications
Direct multi‑platform communications campaigns for the asset across earned media, digital and social channels, thought leadership, unbranded disease education, and congress engagement.
Partner with Corporate Communications on proactive storytelling, issues preparedness, executive visibility, and reactive media response.
Develop internal communications and toolkits that inform, align, and equip Commercial, Medical, Field and regional teams.
Cross‑Functional Leadership
Represent Public Affairs on cross‑functional asset teams, ensuring communications integration across clinical, commercial, medical, regulatory, access, and affiliate teams.
Drive global‑to‑local coordination, ensuring regional and affiliate Public Affairs teams have timely guidance, materials, and strategic alignment for localized execution.
Lead reputation and issues preparedness planning, including scenario planning, Q&A development, and leadership briefings.
Team, Agency & Budget Management
Manage and mentor internal team members supporting the asset’s communications work.
Lead and optimize the work of external communications, medical communications, digital, and analytics agencies.
Oversee budget planning and resource allocation to ensure strategic focus, operational excellence, and measurable impact.
Basic Qualifications
PhD with 12+ years of progressive experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or scientific communications
OR
Master’s degree with 12+ years of progressive experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or scientific communications
OR
Bachelor’s degree and 14+ years of progressive experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or scientific communications
Preferred Qualifications
Significant experience leading communications for oncology, immuno‑oncology, cell therapy, or other complex/scientific therapeutic areas.
Demonstrated success in driving product communications for pivotal data, regulatory milestones, and/or global launch preparation.
Strong executive presence with demonstrated experience advising senior leaders.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Experience managing agencies, budgets, and cross‑functional alignment within matrixed global organizations.
Experience with FDA and global regulatory environments for oncology or cell therapy.
Strong understanding of scientific data communication, medical congress strategy, and scientific narrative development.
Experience in digital communications, analytics, and measurement of impact.
Track record of team development and people leadership.
Kite Values and Leadership Expectations
All Kite employees are expected to model our core values—Courage, Integrity, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Excellence—and to operate with a mindset focused on patients, scientific rigor, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
The salary range for this position is:
Bay Area: $243,100.00 - $314,600.00.
Other US Locations: $221,000.00 - $286,000.00.
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 ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.
For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' (https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/eeo-law-poster) poster.
NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT (http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppac.pdf)
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.
Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.
Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.
For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:
Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.
Change The World With Us
Everyone at Kite is grounded by one common goal – curing cancer. Every day, we aim to establish a direct line between that purpose and our day-to-day work.
We are creating Kite together, with the recognition that the best teams are built by the best people. We maintain an attitude of curiosity, and creativity with each challenge as we develop a new market for cancer therapies. We appreciate and respect one another, and most importantly, we don’t take success for granted.
While we’ve come a long way to make what others viewed as impossible, possible, we know one thing is certain. Today is just the beginning.