Assoc Director, Public Affairs

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 for Japan, this role is responsible for cell therapy including product and pipeline communications, patient relations and advocacy and related internal and corporate communications within Japan.　This position works closely with the cross-functional Kite cell therapy team in Japan and the global Kite Public Affairs team. This position will also work with the broader Gilead Public Affairs team at the global, regional and country level.

Specific Job Requirements

• Setting communications and advocacy strategy to raise Gilead and Kite’s profile in alignment with global direction and local market input

• Identifying and creating targeted thought leadership and differentiating opportunities to demonstrate Kite’s leadership in cell therapy, increase general awareness of and access to CAR T-cell therapy in addition to our commitment to cure for cancer patients

• Designing and implementing CAR T-Cell Therapy awareness programs and advocacy activities

• Communicating data and regulatory milestones that demonstrate Gilead and Kite’s commitment to developing transformative medicines

• Developing compelling materials to support external communications, including the development of globally aligned materials, key messages, Q&A documents, press releases, presentations, videos, social media content, etc.

• Developing/strengthening relationships with a wide variety of patient and community leaders, media and other influential organisations

• Maintaining compliant, two-way communications with patient and community leaders to ensure patient needs are appropriately represented in our company programs

• Coordinating with cross-functional colleagues to ensure alignment and collaboration in strategic priorities and messaging across different stakeholders 

• Responding to media requests and coordination of interviews with Gilead and Kite spokespeople and opinion leader spokespeople, as appropriate

• Continuously scanning the environment to proactively identify and manage issues 

• Understanding the regulatory frameworks in Japan and compliantly managing internal approvals and interactions with reviewers

• Managing agency partners and related budgets

Knowledge, Experience and Skills 

• Ability to understand and accurately communicate complex science

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

• Demonstrated experience in media relations, issues management and internal communications; knowledge of healthcare and industry media and reporting trends

• Demonstrated knowledge of regulations and principles specific to communications for a biopharmaceutical company

• Experience managing multiple projects (timelines, budgets, priorities) simultaneously; flexibility and results-oriented focus are essential

• Must have experience with communication tactics and resources and the relationship of those tactics to other department roles and functions, including Marketing, Medical Affairs, Market Access and Government Affairs 

• Ability to interact with senior management and high-profile experts appropriately, and with confidence and ease

• Knowledge of the Japanese political/health policy environment, including processes and key stakeholders, is preferable

• Oncology communication experience is preferable

• Fluency in Japanese and English is essential

• Patient advocacy experience is preferable

• Typically requires a BA degree in communications, business or science-oriented field proven relevant experience, which includes ten+ years healthcare communication experience

Behaviours

• Ability to engage and manage multiple stakeholders to achieve objectives

• Curious with a strong learning agility (the ability to rapidly study, analyze and understand new situations and business problems)

• Operationally excellent and resilient in the context of a rapidly changing environment

• Organised with systematic approach to prioritisation

• Process orientated to achieve the business objectives

Gilead Core Value

• Integrity (always doing the right thing),

• Teamwork (collaborating in good faith), 

• Excellence (working at a high level of commitment and capability) 

• Accountability (taking personal responsibility).

• Inclusion (encouraging diversity)

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.