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
The Vice President, Federal Government Affairs serves as the enterprise leader for Gilead’s engagement with the U.S. federal government, responsible for shaping and advancing Gilead’s federal engagement and advocacy strategies and ensuring alignment with corporate priorities across innovation, access and public health.
This leader translates complex legislative and regulatory dynamics into clear strategic direction, informing enterprise decision-making, risk management, and business planning . The VP serves as the company's principal strategist regarding and critical representative to Congress, the Administration, and federal agencies, advancing Gilead's priorities through trusted, bipartisan engagement and ensuring the company maintains credibility and influence across changing political and policy environments.
As a member of the Government Affairs Leadership Team – reporting to the SVP, Global Government Affairs – this role contribut es to enterprise-wide strategy, alignment, and execution , and acts a s a trusted advisor to senior leadership on federal policy risks, opportunities, and stakeholder engagement.
Key responsibilities include:
Executive Leadership and Strategic Counsel
Federal Policy Strategy and Advocacy
Develop and execute a n integrated, comprehensive federal government affairs strategy aligned with Gilead’s corporate priorities and values , including innovation, access, affordability, and global health leadership.
Shape and influence policy outcomes through direct engagement with Congress, the Administration, federal agencies, and key policy stakeholders across both political parties.
Advocate for policies that support biomedical innovation, equitable patient access, and strong public health infrastructure , and p osition Gilead as a trusted thought leader on critical health policy issues .
Enterprise Integration and Business Impact
External Engagement and Industry Leadership
Build and maintain strong bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, Administration officials, and federal agency leaders, ensuring Gilead is viewed as a trusted and credible partner regardless of changes in political leadership.
Lead Gilead’s engagement with key industry trade associations, including PhRMA and BIO, to align advocacy strategies, shape industry positions, and amplify impact.
Team and Operational Leadership
The ideal candidate is a forward-looking government affairs leader who combines strategic vision with disciplined execution, anticipating political, legislative, and regulatory developments multiple years ahead and translating them into proactive advocacy strategies that advance business objectives . They bring the credibility, relationships, and political acumen to engage effectively across both parties, Congress, the Administration, and federal agencies, while building long-term champions and coalitions that strengthen Gilead's influence over time. Successful candidates will have demonstrated the ability to maintain trust, relevance, and effectiveness across political transitions and changing governing priorities.
Equally important, this leader is a strong people manager who thrives in a fast-moving environment, effectively prioritizing competing demands, delegating responsibility, and developing high-performing teams. They are action-oriented, agile in navigating shifting political dynamics, and skilled at converting complex challenges into clear direction, timely decisions, and measurable outcomes.
Qualified candidates will bring the following experience and expertise :
Proven success shaping federal legislative or regulatory outcomes , with established relationships across Congress, the Executive Branch, federal agencies, and key industry associations.
Deep understanding of U.S. healthcare policy, legislative, regulatory, and appropriations processes.
In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:
Setting Strategy
The ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others.
Relationships and Influence
An ability to inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, passion in their beliefs, and active drive.
Integrates economic, societal, and environmental factors into a purpose-driven strategy, turning sustainability into a competitive advantage.
People Leader Accountabilities:
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.
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 [email protected] 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.
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.
Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.
