Job DescriptionDirector, Programmatic Media StrategyLocation: U.S.
Reports to: Head of Media Excellence / Digital Media Strategy
About the RoleAt Gilead our pursuit of a healthier world for all people has yielded a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary improvements in HIV treatment and prevention as well as advancements in therapies for viral and inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.
We set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world's most devastating diseases, united in our commitment to confronting the largest public health challenges of our day and improving the lives of patients for generations to come. As a Director, Programmatic Media Strategy, at Gilead you will be the the enterprise owner of programmatic media strategy, data enablement, and performance accountability across Gilead's U.S. Commercial organization. This role sets the direction for how programmatic media is activated, optimized, measured, and evolved-driving disciplined execution today while transforming capabilities for an AI-enabled future.
This leader operates as a strategic force multiplier across Brands, Media Agencies, Data, Analytics, Privacy, Legal, and Procurement-challenging partners, elevating standards, and ensuring Gilead fully leverages first-party data, addressability, and automation to deliver measurable patient and business impact.
Key ResponsibilitiesEnterprise Programmatic Strategy & Governance- Own enterprise-wide programmatic media strategy across HCP and DTC, ensuring alignment with brand objectives, NBE/NBA priorities, and enterprise governance standards.
- Define and enforce clear performance, data quality, transparency, and optimization expectations with media agencies, holding partners accountable for delivery and outcomes.
- Establish and govern enterprise programmatic operating rhythms including QBRs, deep-dive performance reviews, joint business plans, innovation roadmaps, and executive readouts.
First-Party Data, Identity & Activation- Serve as enterprise lead for the activation of consented first-party data (CRM, web, engagement signals) within programmatic media, ensuring compliant use for targeting, optimization, and measurement.
- Act as primary liaison for LiveRamp, advising on identity resolution strategy, match rates, data connectivity, and cross-brand scalability.
- Partner with Data, Analytics, and Platform teams to connect programmatic activation with Salesforce Data Cloud, NBE orchestration, and outcome measurement.
- Guide use of audience signals for PLD reporting, NBA optimization, incrementality testing, and ROI validation.
Performance, Optimization & AI Transformation- Define success metrics, KPIs, and benchmarks across reach quality, attention, data fidelity, efficiency, and business outcomes-ensuring consistency across brands and partners.
- Lead programmatic testing and optimization strategy, including:
- Audience and data signal experimentation
- Supply path optimization (SPO)
- Outcome-based buying and bidding strategies
- AI-enabled optimization, automation, and emerging buying models
- Evaluate how advances in AI, algorithmic decisioning, and predictive analytics should reshape Gilead's programmatic operating model.
Media Quality, Fraud & Transparency- Own enterprise brand safety and media quality frameworks, including:
- MFA mitigation and supply quality standards
- Fraud detection and invalid traffic management
- Verification and measurement partner governance
- Drive transparent reporting and diagnostic clarity so brands and leaders understand not just performance, but why it is performing.
Vendor, Agency & Financial Stewardship- Serve as the primary enterprise point-of-contact for DSPs, data providers, identity partners, verification vendors, and media agencies.
- Lead stewardship of core programmatic partners (e.g., The Trade Desk, Amazon DSP, DeepIntent, LiveRamp), including roadmap alignment, escalation management, and innovation planning.
- Partner with Procurement and Finance on contracts, commercial models, transparency initiatives, and enterprise investment oversight.
Enterprise Leadership & Enablement- Serve as programmatic strategy lead within Next Best Engagement (NBE), advising on audience strategy, sequencing, measurement, and scalability.
- Translate complex performance data and technical concepts into clear, executive-ready recommendations.
- Provide leadership updates, decision frameworks, and POVs on programmatic performance, risk, and opportunity.
Leadership Expectations- This role is an enterprise strategist and change agent, not a channel operator.
- Sets the strategic bar and raises standards-pushing agencies and partners beyond "status quo" delivery.
- Brings deep subject-matter expertise that earns credibility with senior leaders and technical teams alike.
- Influences without authority; leads through clarity, conviction, and data-backed recommendations.
- Champions innovation, automation, and continuous improvement as programmatic and AI rapidly evolve.
Qualifications- 10+ years of progressive experience in programmatic media, digital media strategy, or media operations.
- Deep hands-on expertise with enterprise DSPs, programmatic measurement, identity solutions, and data onboarding and optimization.
- Strong command of first-party data activation, including consented data use, clean rooms, identity resolution, and interoperability with platforms like LiveRamp.
- Working knowledge of media fraud, MFA landscapes, supply quality controls, and verification methodologies.
- Demonstrated experience adapting media strategies to automation, AI-driven optimization, and emerging buying models.
- Experience owning vendor relationships, QBRs, contracts, and commercial governance.
- Strong understanding of privacy, compliance, and regulated marketing environments (pharma experience strongly preferred).
- Executive-ready communicator with a track record of influencing senior stakeholders.
What Success Looks Like- Success in this role is defined by a scalable, high-quality, and outcome-driven programmatic ecosystem that delivers measurable impact for brands and elevates Gilead's enterprise media maturity.
- Programmatic media consistently delivers high-quality, efficient, and measurable outcomes across brands.
- Media agencies operate with elevated standards for data quality, optimization rigor, and transparency.
- First-party data and identity are fully embedded into programmatic activation and measurement.
- Programmatic is a core, scalable pillar of NBE and future engagement models.
- Leadership has strong confidence in programmatic recommendations, governance, and long-term roadmap.
People Leader Accountabilities:
- Create Inclusion - knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.
- 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.
The salary range for this position is: $205,615.00 - $266,090.00. 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.
