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:
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15+ years of progressive leadership experience in federal government affairs, public policy, or related fields.
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Significant experience in the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare sector strongly preferred.
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Proven success shaping federal legislative or regulatory outcomes, with established relationships across Congress, the Executive Branch, federal agencies, and key industry associations.
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Deep understanding of U.S. healthcare policy, legislative, regulatory, and appropriations processes.
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Demonstrated success building and maintaining bipartisan relationships and advancing policy objectives across multiple administrations and congressional leadership cycles.
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Deep ability to translate complex policy environments into clear, actionable guidance for senior leadership.
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Strong enterprise mindset with the ability to influence across a highly matrixed organization.
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Executive presence and sound judgment, with experience advising senior leaders.
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Strong leadership skills with experience managing high-performing teams and managing external partners.
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Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level briefing and message development.
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Passion for advancing scientific innovation and improving patient outcomes and an unwavering commitment to integrity, compliance, and ethical engagement.
In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:
Setting Strategy
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The ability to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization, not only for the areas they are directly responsible for, but the enterprise as a whole.
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The inclination to seek and analyze data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the organization’s overall strategy.
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An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries within the industry.
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The ability to effectively balance the desire/need for broad change with an understanding of how much change the organization is capable of handling, to create realistic goals and implementation plans that are achievable and successful.
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The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance; tenacious and accountable in driving results.
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Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations.
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A risk-taker who seeks data and input from others to foresee possible threats or unintended circumstances from decisions; someone who takes smart risks.
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A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; the ability to act in a transparent and consistent manner while always taking into account what is best for the organization.
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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.
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The ability to persevere in the face of challenges, and exhibit a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment to higher standards, which commands respect from followers.
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A leader who is self-reflective and aware of their own limitations; leads by example and drives the organization’s performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement.
Relationships and Influence
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Naturally connects and builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
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An ability to inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, passion in their beliefs, and active drive.
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Encourages others to share the spotlight and visibly celebrates and supports the success of the team.
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Creates a sense of purpose/meaning for the team that generates followership beyond their own personality and engages others to the greater purpose for the organization as a whole.
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Firmly believes that both sustainability and profit are in the organization’s best long-term interest.
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Integrates economic, societal, and environmental factors into a purpose-driven strategy, turning sustainability into a competitive advantage.
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Understands and incorporates viewpoints from all key stakeholders to drive decision making and share the benefits.
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Delivers breakthrough innovations and business models that create value for all stakeholders, continually challenging traditional approaches.
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Sets audacious business and sustainability goals, driving concerted action and investments, and stays the course in the face of setbacks or push-back from short-term oriented stakeholders.
People Leader Accountabilities:
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Create Inclusion - knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.
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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.
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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.