Gilead Sciences Inc

Vice President, Federal Government Affairs

Gilead Sciences Inc$200K — $250K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in federal government affairs or public policy, preferably in biopharmaceutical or healthcare sectors.
  • Established relationships with Congress, Executive Branch, and federal agencies.
  • Deep understanding of U.S. healthcare policy and legislative processes.
  • Proven success in bipartisan relationship building across administrations.
  • Strong ability to translate complex policies into actionable insights for senior leaders.
  • Exceptional leadership skills with experience managing high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

  • Advise senior leadership on federal legislative risks and strategies.
  • Cultivate trusted relationships with Congress and federal agencies.
  • Develop and execute comprehensive federal government affairs strategy.
  • Prepare briefing materials for executive engagement with policymakers.
  • Shape policy outcomes through engagement with key stakeholders and coalitions.
  • Translate policy developments into actionable business insights.
  • Lead the Federal Government Affairs team to foster a high-performance culture.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to engage directly with top-level policymakers.
  • Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that values agile decision-making.
  • Collaborate with a diverse team dedicated to improving patient outcomes.
  • Engage in initiatives that influence federal policy for biomedical innovation.
  • Contribute to a company that prioritizes ethical engagement in public affairs.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Vice President, Federal Government Affairsserves 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,accessand 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 contributes to enterprise-wide strategy, alignment, and execution, and acts as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on federal policy risks, opportunities, and stakeholder engagement.  

 

Key responsibilities include: 

Executive Leadership and Strategic Counsel 

  • Advise senior leadership on federal legislative and regulatory risks and opportunities and their implications for enterprise strategy. 

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, SVP Government Affairs, and executive team on federal policy dynamics and stakeholder engagement.  

  • Contribute to enterprise-level Government Affairs strategy, alignment, and execution. 

  • Prepare briefing materials and guide executive engagement with policymakers, industry trade associations and other stakeholders. 

Federal Policy Strategy and Advocacy 

  • Develop and execute an integrated, comprehensive federal government affairs strategy aligned with Gilead’s corporate priorities and values, including innovation, access, affordability, and global health leadership. 

  • Develop and sustain trusted, bipartisan relationships across Congress and the Administration to advance Gilead's policy priorities and strengthen the company's long-term influence and reputation. 

  • Shape and influence policy outcomes through direct engagement with Congress, the Administration, federal agencies, and key policy stakeholders across both political parties. 

  • Build support for Gilead positions by engaging coalitions of aligned organizations. 

  • Position the company as a credible, science-driven partner in policy discussions. 

  • Anticipate and respond to evolving legislative, regulatory, and political dynamics impacting the biopharmaceutical sector. 

  • Advocate for policies that support biomedical innovation, equitable patient access, and strong public health infrastructure, and position Gilead as a trusted thought leader on critical health policy issues. 

Enterprise Integration and Business Impact 

  • Translate policy developments into actionable insights for business leaders and cross-functional partners. 

  • Partner cross-functionally to align policy priorities with business objectives and to maximize the impact of our advocacy.  

  • Ensure coordination across federal, state and international Government Affairs strategies. 

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. 

  • Develop and execute engagement plans for GA team and senior executives. 

Team and Operational Leadership 

  • Lead the Federal Government Affairs team, fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture. 

  • Oversee external consultants, lobbyists, and advisors to ensure alignment with company and industry priorities.  

  • Manage the Gilead Political Action Committee. 

  • Ensure compliance with all lobbying, ethics, and political activity requirements. 

 

Candidate Profile 

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: 

  • 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in federal government affairs, public policy, or related fields.  

  • Significant experience in the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare sector strongly preferred. 

  • 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. 

  • Demonstrated success building and maintaining bipartisan relationships and advancing policy objectives across multiple administrations and congressional leadership cycles. 

  • Deep ability to translate complex policy environments into clear, actionable guidance for senior leadership. 

  • Strong enterprise mindset with the ability to influence across a highly matrixed organization. 

  • Executive presence and sound judgment, with experience advising senior leaders. 

  • Strong leadership skills with experience managing high-performing teams and managing external partners. 

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level briefing and message development. 

  • 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 

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

  • An entrepreneurial and creative approach to deve

About Gilead Sciences Inc

Gilead Sciences is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet need. With each new discovery and experimental drug candidate, they seek to improve the care of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases. Gilead's primary areas of focus include HIV/AIDS, liver disease, and serious cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.

Gilead Sciences Inc Careers

Join the vibrant team at Gilead Sciences Inc, a leader in the biopharmaceutical industry known for its innovative approach to healthcare. At Gilead, we are committed to advancing the care of patients around the globe through rigorous science and research.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career journey with Gilead Sciences Inc, where job opportunities abound in a variety of fields, from scientific research to marketing and sales. Our team is dedicated to fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion, where every employee can thrive.

Innovate and Lead

At Gilead, innovation is at the core of everything we do. Join us and contribute to our mission of saving lives through advanced treatments and cutting-edge medicine. Our leadership is committed to nurturing professional growth, making Gilead an ideal place for those who aim to lead and innovate in the healthcare industry.

Grow Your Career

Gilead Sciences Inc offers a wealth of career advancement opportunities. With personalized career development programs, employees are encouraged to pursue their professional interests and expand their skills. Whether through on-the-job learning, formal training, or leadership development, we provide the tools necessary for long-term career growth.

Be Part of Our Team

Our team at Gilead Sciences Inc is composed of passionate, curious, and solution-driven professionals. By joining us, you’ll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our culture promotes teamwork and an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving, making our workplace dynamic and innovative.

Internship and Employment Opportunities

Start your career with Gilead through our internship programs, which offer hands-on experience in biopharmaceutical development and business operations. For seasoned professionals, our employment opportunities span across various disciplines, inviting you to bring your valuable skills to our team.

Benefits and Culture

Gilead Sciences Inc is not only a great place to work but also offers competitive benefits designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. From health insurance to retirement plans and wellness programs, we ensure our team members are taken care of.

Networking and Professional Development

We emphasize the importance of networking and professional development within the company. Regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions are held to enhance your skills and knowledge. Additionally, Gilead’s strong emphasis on internal networking allows for cross-departmental collaboration and innovation.

Join Our Hiring Events

Stay connected with Gilead by joining our hiring events and exploring open positions that match your skills and interests. We are always on the lookout for dedicated, creative, and driven team players. Prepare your resume, ace the interview, and take the first step towards a fulfilling career at Gilead Sciences Inc.

Explore Jobs at Gilead Sciences Inc

Discover the exciting career opportunities waiting for you at Gilead Sciences Inc. Visit our careers page to search for open positions, read about our company culture, and learn how you can make a difference in the global healthcare landscape.

Stay Up to Date

Keep informed with the latest company news, career tips, and industry insights—all from the people who work at Gilead Sciences Inc. Subscribe to our job alert emails and personalize your experience to receive updates that align with your career preferences. Join Gilead Sciences Inc today and be part of a team that values innovation, leadership, and a commitment to diversity and employee growth.
Learn more about Gilead Sciences Inc
Size
14,400 employees
Market Cap
$107.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$123 million
Founded
1987
5 Year Trend
-2.1%
Revenue
$24.6 billion
NASDAQ

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