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
Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers innovative therapeutics for people with life-threatening diseases around the world. Our mission is to advance the care of patients globally, and our values - integrity, inclusion, teamwork, accountability, and excellence - guide everything we do.
The SVP, Global Legal Business Partners, reports to the General Counsel and is the senior-most leader responsible for setting and executing the legal strategy for Gilead's commercial, development,. medical affairs, regulatory, manufacturing, public affairs and government affairs teams. This executive oversees a matrixed team of over 100 attorneys and compliance professional who sit with the business across all therapeutic areas, geographies, and functions to identify and manage diverse legal and reputational risks in a complex, highly regulated environment.
In this capacity, the SVP, Global Legal Business:
Isdirectly responsiblefor managing a global team of lawyers and compliance professionals dedicated to supporting the business on a variety of complex and high-risk issuesthroughout the product lifecycle, includingdevelopment, manufacturing, commercialization, pricing, and product promotion.
Drives risk management, governance, and policy leadership at the enterprise level.
Leads talent development, succession planning, and culture-building for the global legal organization.
Partners with executive leadership to shape and execute enterprise strategy, ensuring legal considerations are embedded in all critical business decisions.
Key Responsibilities **:
Strategic Leadership & Business Partnership**
Set the vision and strategy for the Global Legal Business Partnersfunction, ensuring alignment with Gilead's enterprise priorities and businessobjectives.
Oversee legal support for all major business units (Commercial,Development,Medical Affairs,Regulatory, Manufacturing, Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Value & Access, etc.), ensuring seamless integration of legal advice into business decision-making.
Lead cross-functional collaboration, embedding legal and compliance considerations intoproductdevelopment,launches, market access, pricing, and strategic initiatives globally.
Serve asasenior legal advisor for high-impact, high-risk matters, including regulatory approvals, major transactions, and litigation.
Advise onenterprise-level crisis management strategies and reputational risk mitigation in collaboration with executive leadership.
Stay ahead of evolving global regulatory landscapes, including emerging markets, AI regulation, and digital health compliance frameworks, toanticipaterisks and opportunities.
Operational Excellence & Risk Management
Drive operational rigor, process simplification, and continuous improvement across the global legal function.
Leverage advanced technologies, including AI and data analytics, tooptimizelegal operations, enhance compliance monitoring, and deliver predictive insights for risk management.
Ensure ethical governance and compliance in the use of AI and emerging technologies within legal and business processes.
Establish KPIs and leverage analytics to measure legalfunction effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
Oversee relationships with external counsel,optimizingvalue, cost efficiency, and quality of legal services.
Stay ahead of legal, regulatory, and industry trends, providing strategic thought leadership and embedding best practices.
Talent Leadership & Culture
Build and sustain a high-performing, inclusive, and diverse global legal team.
Ensure robust succession planning, development plans, and mentorship for all leaders and staff.
Foster a culture of collaboration, ethical conduct, and continuous improvement.
Foster a culture of innovation within the legal function toanticipatefuture challenges andleverageemerging technologies.
Champion DEI and justice initiatives, shaping the legal function's culture and impact.
Enterprise Impact & Governance
Partner with executive leadership,otherlegaland compliancedepartments,and global business leaders to shape and execute enterprise strategy.
Lead the legal function's contribution to governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks.
Influence policy, shape department practices, and drive engagement strategies for legal and compliance reviews.
Provide legal insights and governance support to the Board of Directors and investor-facing functions, ensuring transparency and compliance.
Serve as a visible leader and representative for Gilead in external forums, industry associations, and stakeholder engagements.
Leadership Competencies
Visionary leadership and strategic influence.
Inclusive,people-firstapproach to talent and culture.
Operational rigor andresultsorientation.
Agility in navigating complexity and change.
Collaborative partnership across functions and geographies.
Skills, Knowledge and Expectations:
Deepexpertisein global pharmaceutical law, compliance, and risk management, with a strong understanding of regulations and the external legal landscape.
Proven ability to set and execute legal strategy that aligns with enterprise priorities and drives business outcomes.
Experience leading large, matrixed, and geographically dispersed teams across multiple functions and regions.
Strategic thinking and business judgment to connect legal initiatives with broader businessobjectivesandanticipatefuture risks and opportunities.
Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to partner across functions, advise senior executives, and represent Gilead externally.
Leadership skills to inspire, develop, and guide high-performing, diverse teams, fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Operational rigor and project management capabilities, with a proven ability to prioritize and execute multiple complex initiatives under tight deadlines.
Proficiencyin change management andtransformationleadership, supporting organizational agility and effective communication during transitions.
Analytical skills to assess legal, compliance, and business metrics, using insights to inform strategy and measure success.
Commitment to ethical conduct, talent development, and succession planning at all levels of the organization.
Ability to manage high-stakes projects and programs, including majortransactions, litigation, and regulatory matters, with sound judgment and composure.
Continuous improvement mindset, seeking feedback and driving process simplification and innovation.
Qualifications:
Juris Doctorate or equivalent advanced legaldegree;admitted to practice in relevantjurisdictions.
15+ years of progressive legal experience in biotech, pharmaceuticals, or highly regulated industries, with significant global and leadership responsibility.
Deepexpertisein pharmaceuticallaws andregulations, compliance, and business partnering.
Proven ability to lead large, matrixed teams and drive enterprise-wide impact.
Exceptional business judgment, strategic thinking, and executive communication skills.
Demonstrated success in building and developing high-performing, diverse teams.
Location : Foster City, CA (On-site)
For jobs in the United States:
Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.
For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' (https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/eeo-law-poster) poster.
NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT (http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppac.pdf)
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
Gilead Sciences will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.
Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.
Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.
For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:
Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
