Sr Director, Government Affairs

Culture

For over 30 years, Gilead has built a culture of excellence and has attracted some of the sharpest minds in biotech. They are committed, inclusive and passionate about improving the lives of the patients around the world. It is their mission to discover, develop and deliver innovative therapeutics for people with life-threatening diseases, with the vision to create a healthier world for all people. Gilead’s values of integrity, inclusion, teamwork, accountability, and excellence form the foundation of how people work together.

Leadership Commitments:

• “I am bold in aspiration and agile in execution.”
• “I care and make time for people.”
• “I listen, speak openly, and explain the “why”.”
• “I trust others and myself to make sound decisions.”

“I own the impact of my words and actions.”

Your tasks

Job Purpose

The candidate will take over a very well-established team of four people in the German affiliate, as well as strong relationships on federal and state level. The purpose of the role is to build on the achievements to date and expand Gilead Germany’s network and influence even further. S/he will be required to be able to work at a Minister and above level, and to be able to put Gilead to the front and centre of key decision makers minds when it comes to discussions around relevant Therapeutic Areas and the operating environment.

MAIN TAsks & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Lead the team of Government Affairs professionals.
• Be a member of the German Leadership Team, provide thought leadership in terms of the evolving policy environment and potential impact on Gilead and contribute actively to the development and success of the organization and the business.
• Be a member of the VP’s International Government Affairs’ Leadership Team and contribute actively to the development and success of the team.
• Manage Government Affairs’ stakeholders (including federal and regional governments, Bundestag and regional parliaments as well as influential policymakers in the Party headquarters) and ensure they fully understand Gilead’s priorities.
• Shape relevant policy debates in areas of interest for Gilead.
• Take leadership and push forward Gilead´s topics within the vfa industry association and any other organisations and initiatives with Gilead participation.

Core Tasks and Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and coordinate strategies, initiatives, operations, and activities related to national and regional health and pharmaceutical policy and legislation.
• Partner with and create a positive reputation for Gilead Sciences among national and regional parliamentarians and members of the government, advisors and the political environment, for the purpose of facilitating and enhancing Gilead’s mission.

Work collaboratively and align with other members of government affairs department as well as other Gilead departments in Germany and globally to ensure that Gilead’s business priorities are fully aligned with government affairs initiatives and policy objectives and help Gilead identify opportunities to work with policymakers to advance its mission.

• Excellent understanding of the political and business environment and implement an active contact program with political stakeholders.
• Lead, develop and manage a high performing team.
• Work with GA team to develop and steer Gilead policy strategy and agenda.
• Monitor the legislative/regulatory environment with the objective of providing Gilead’s management with sophisticated information and options on dealing with developments so that the Gilead interests are achieved.
• Being able to organise a high-profile policy stakeholder programme for global management´s visits to Germany.

YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

• Make sure that Gilead benefits from a location clause , e.g. Gilead´s footprint in Germany (especially R&D investments) leads to a mandatory rebate reduction within the framework of the location clause.
• Shape the new government´s “Pharma Strategy” to improve the framework conditions according to Gilead´s interests.
• Push for an AMNOG reform that better rewards HIV (and Hepatitis) medical innovations, for example by an exemption rule similar to the one for antibiotics.
• Adjust evidence requirements for Oncology and Cell Therapy in AMNOG , e.g. the acceptance of single-arm studies, cross-over study effects, realistic endpoints, or small patient numbers)
• Help to increase the uptake of patient referrals in Cell Therapy, for example by reducing administrative hurdles/bureaucracy reduction.

Your profile

Requirements

• Strong team player and government affairs leader.
• Exceptional level of influencing and managing relationships within and outside of Gilead to develop, implement and coordinate the Government Affairs strategy.
• Proven ability to excellent superior team in delivering successful/favorable policy and advocacy results.
• Must have advanced skills, depth and expertise in government affairs as well as advanced business judgement and analytical skills.
• Effective relationships with members of healthcare, legislative, regulatory and policy community.
• Extensive experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries preferred.
• Must have extensive experience working in a project-team environment.
• In-depth knowledge of the German healthcare system and key policies (HIV, hepatitis C and D, oncology and cell therapy; AMNOG process and legislation; hospital sector legislation) relevant for pharmaceutical market access for highly innovative medicines is essential.
• Experience of establishing external stakeholder groups to advance policy goals.
• Requires a strong track record of experience in implementing projects with defined outcomes in government affairs, public affairs or policy role.
• Knowledge of the European HIV, HCV, HDV,oncology and ATMP policy environment is preferred – an understanding of public health policy issues and solutions is essential.
• Excellent strategic thinker with ability to formulate, develop and execute on business-relevant strategies and to work on new policy advocacy strategies and activities, e.g. digital (AI) advocacy.
• Strong executive presence with ability to command respect through experience internally and externally.
• Strong entrepreneurial skills and sound business judgment and analytical skills.
• Skilled at managing cross-functional teams or working groups.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills.

Experience of budget and cost center management.

Education

• Typically requires a BSc or BA degree and with significant prior experience in government, government affairs, public affairs or policy role. A MA or MSc degree or MBA and relevant experience is preferred.

Fluent in German and English

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

It is the policy of Gilead Sciences, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively "Gilead" or the "Company") to recruit select and employ the most qualified persons available for positions throughout the Company. Except if otherwise provided by applicable law, all employment actions relating to issues such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, returns from layoffs, company-sponsored training, education assistance, social and recreational programs are administered on a non-discriminatory basis (i.e. without regard to protected characteristics or prohibited grounds, which may include an individual’s gender, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, veteran status, and age, unless such protection is prohibited by federal, state, municipal, provincial, local or other applicable laws). Gilead also prohibits discrimination based on any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Contact

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.

We show an excerpt and a link, and the full text when the source allows it. Brands and logos shown belong to their owners.

Posted Nov 01, 2026

Posted Nov 01, 2026

"visa sponsorship"

Source: Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis), table; dl-de/by-2-0; StarIn's calculation