Assoc Director, Public Affairs

Gilead Sciences · Ontario · CA$158,355–CA$204,930 (stated in the posting)

At Gilead Sciences Canada Inc. we take pride in being recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employer 2024. Click here to find out why Gilead Sciences Canada is a top employer!

Chez Gilead Sciences Canada Inc., nous sommes fiers d’être reconnus comme l’un des meilleurs employeurs du Grand Toronto pour 2024. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus sur les raisons de notre succès.

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

Reporting to the Head of Public Affairs Canada, this role is accountable for shaping and delivering Gilead’s public affairs strategy across Canada.

The Associate Director leads integrated communications and stakeholder engagement —particularly in HIV - ensuring Gilead’s external engagement is credible, aligned and grounded in the needs of patients and the healthcare system.

This role operates at the centre of cross-functional teams in Canada and collaborates closely with regional and global colleagues to drive impact, support access to innovation and strengthen Gilead’s reputation.

Key Responsibilities / Accountabilities

Strategic Communications & Campaign Leadership

Leads the development and delivery of integrated public affairs and communications programs across priority therapy areas, with a focus on HIV treatment and prevention
Designs and implements creative, patient-centric disease awareness and communication campaigns
Supports product launch communications (regulatory and reimbursement), ensuring alignment with brand and enterprise strategy
Translates complex scientific, clinical and policy topics into clear, credible and impactful narratives across channels

Stakeholder & Patient Engagement

Builds and maintains strategic relationships with patient organisations, advocacy groups and key healthcare stakeholders
Leads patient advocacy initiatives and co-created, multi-channel engagement programmes
Develops strategic partnerships and community investment initiatives that address unmet patient needs, advance health equity, and strengthen care delivery
Represents Public Affairs within cross-functional brand teams and governance forums

Media Relations & Issues Management

Leads proactive and reactive media engagement, building strong relationships with healthcare and national media
Oversees development of high-quality communications materials (e.g. press releases, leadership content, presentations)
Manages media enquiries and coordinates interviews with Gilead and external spokespeople

Policy & External Environment

Partners with Government Affairs and Market Access to advance advocacy and policy that improve access to our medicines and health system readiness
Translates important external context (patient needs, stakeholder sentiment, health and policy priorities, industry developments) to inform business decisions and strategies
Supports engagement with federal and provincial stakeholders to help shape the healthcare and access environment
Ensures external activities are aligned to broader policy priorities and grounded in patient need

Cross-functional Leadership & Execution

Drives alignment across Medical, Market Access, Commercial and Government Affairs to ensure consistent messaging and coordinated delivery
Leads internal communications on pipeline developments, access milestones, and the external environment, ensuring colleagues and leaders are informed and prepared to respond.
Partners with regional and global teams to ensure alignment with corporate strategy and guidance
Leads agency engagement, providing strategic direction and ensuring high-quality execution
Manages multiple programmes, timelines and budgets to deliver against agreed objectives

Governance, Compliance & Operational Excellence

Ensures all activities comply with Canadian regulations, internal policies and external codes
Applies strong understanding of communications requirements within a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company
Ensures consistency and quality across all external communications and engagement activities

Knowledge, Experience & Capabilities

Experience & Technical Expertise

8+ years experience in public affairs, communications or government relations ideally within pharma or healthcare
Experience in or strong understanding of the HIV landscape in Canada
Strong experience in media relations and issues management, including knowledge of Canadian healthcare media environment
Experience developing and executing integrated, multi-channel communications and social media campaigns
Experience supporting product launches, including regulatory and reimbursement phases
Strong understanding of the Canadian healthcare, policy and access environment

Skills & Capabilities

Ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling communications
Strong stakeholder engagement capability, particularly with patient organisations and advocacy groups
Strong project management skills, including managing multiple priorities, budgets and timelines
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
Confidence engaging senior leaders, external experts and high-profile stakeholders

Leadership & Ways of Working

Demonstrates strong ownership and accountability for delivery
Collaborates effectively across functions and geographies to achieve shared outcomes
Exercises sound judgement in a complex and evolving external environment
Maintains strong external focus, understanding what matters for patients and the healthcare system
Delivers with pace, clarity and consistency

Why this role

This role offers the opportunity to play a leading role in shaping Gilead’s external engagement in Canada.

The Associate Director will contribute not only to effective communications, but to meaningful engagement that supports patients, strengthens the healthcare system and advances access to innovation.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.

The salary range for this position is CAD $158,355 - $204,930 annually. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary target annual bonus. Gilead determines base compensation by considering factors such as experience, qualifications, and geographic location. As a result, actual compensation may vary.

AI Clause

We use AI-enabled tools to support our recruitment process. All hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team.

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