Executive Director, Public Affairs Lead, Cell Therapy (Kite)

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.

Executive Director, Public Affairs Lead, Cell Therapy (Kite)

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Gilead Public Affairs, the Executive Director, Public Affairs Lead, Cell Therapy (Kite) role is responsible for setting and executing the communication and advocacy strategies for the global cell therapy business at Kite. This role is part of the Kite Leadership Team (KLT) and will work closely with the head of Kite and other cross functional leaders to continue to build Kite’s position as a global cell therapy leader across external and internal audiences. In addition, the role is part of the global Gilead Public Affairs leadership team and will help to shape the goals and priorities for the function globally.

Responsibilities include:

• Oversee a team of communicators and advocacy colleagues responsible for, anticipating short-, medium- and long-term public affairs needs. This includes oversight of global and regional therapeutic area communications related to products and pipeline; Kite corporate communications, including executive engagement and Kite brand; Internal communications related to manufacturing and employee engagement; and patient and professional advocacy relationships. This individual will work closely with Gilead corporate communications and other Gilead Public Affairs functions.

• Lead the creation and implementation of an integrated external engagement plan to ensure Kite strengthens relationships with patient advocacy organizations, media and other relevant groups (e.g., trade associations) who influence the public discussion about the biotech industry, therapeutic areas of focus and the general healthcare environment.

• Partner with leaders from other externally facing functions to align strategy and stakeholder engagement plans and to communicate consistent messaging across policymakers, patient groups, physicians and payers.

• Horizon scan to proactively identify and plan for/mitigate reputational challenges. Influence business decisions by raising internal awareness of external trends and stakeholder perspectives.

• Partner with leadership to drive employee engagement and organizational effectiveness at Kite through a strategic employee communication plan that educates and engages employees.

• Ensure that Gilead/Kite’s key messaging, narratives and FAQs address the global environment, and that our culture and values are integrated into our communication efforts and are consistent across channels.

• Support project teams to plan and execute launches, conferences and other events, as needed.

• Actively coach and develop the capabilities needed to ad