Senior Director, Product Communications

Role Overview

• Develop and own the US communications strategy for a late‑stage asset, ensuring alignment with commercial planning, clinical development milestones, medical strategy, and corporate priorities.
• Serve as a senior advisor to Kite and Gilead leadership teams, offering insights on the external environment, media landscape, and emerging risks/opportunities relevant to the asset.
• Build and maintain a cohesive asset narrative, including messaging frameworks, data storylines, and integrated storytelling tools for use across markets and functions.
• Lead communications planning and execution for major asset milestones, including pivotal data presentations, publications, regulatory submissions, approval events, and lifecycle expansion activities.
• Partner with Medical Affairs and Clinical Development to ensure accurate translation of complex scientific information into clear, compliant, targeted communications.
• Oversee materials through Kite and Gilead’s internal review systems, ensuring all content meets regulatory, legal, and conduct standards.
• Direct multi‑platform communications campaigns for the asset across earned media, digital and social channels, thought leadership, unbranded disease education, and congress engagement.
• Partner with Corporate Communications on proactive storytelling, issues preparedness, executive visibility, and reactive media response.
• Develop internal communications and toolkits that inform, align, and equip Commercial, Medical, Field and regional teams.
• Represent Public Affairs on cross‑functional asset teams, ensuring communications integration across clinical, commercial, medical, regulatory, access, and affiliate teams.
• Drive global‑to‑local coordination, ensuring regional and affiliate Public Affairs teams have timely guidance, materials, and strategic alignment for localized execution.
• Lead reputation and issues preparedness planning, including scenario planning, Q&A development, and leadership briefings.
• Manage and mentor internal team members supporting the asset’s communications work.
• Lead and optimize the work of external communications, medical communications, digital, and analytics agencies.
• Oversee budget planning and resource allocation to ensure strategic focus, operational excellence, and measurable impact.

Requirements

• PhD with 12+ years of progressive experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or scientific communications OR Master’s degree with 12+ years of progressive experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or scientific communications OR Bachelor’s degree and 14+ years of progressive experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or scientific communications
• Significant experience leading communications for oncology, immuno‑oncology, cell therapy, or other complex/scientific therapeutic areas.
• Demonstrated success in driving product communications for pivotal data, regulatory milestones, and/or global launch preparation.
• Strong executive presence with demonstrated experience advising senior leaders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience managing agencies, budgets, and cross‑functional alignment within matrixed global organizations.
• Experience with FDA and global regulatory environments for oncology or cell therapy.
• Strong understanding of scientific data communication, medical congress strategy, and scientific narrative development.
• Experience in digital communications, analytics, and measurement of impact.
• Track record of team development and people leadership.

Benefits

• company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*
• discretionary annual bonus
• discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role)
• paid time off