Communications Director Jobs in Foster City, CA

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. We are seeking a dynamic and strategic communications leader to serve as Executive Director, Internal & Employee Communications . This pivotal role is responsible for developing and executing an integrated employee communications strategy that advances Gilead’s enterprise priorities, strengthens employee engagement, and connects employees to the company’s mission, strategy, values, culture, and business priorities. The role will ensure employees receive clear, timely , relevant, and engaging communications that connect business priorities to the employee experience and build understanding, trust, alignment, and connection across the organization.

As a key member of the Public Affairs function, the Executive Director will shape and lead a comprehensive communications strategy encompassing employee engagement, culture communications, enterprise programs, internal channels, and editorial planning. This highly visible leadership role reports to the Vice President, Corporate and Enterprise Communications. The Exec utive Director is accountable for en ter prise-wide bus iness and empl oyee com munications strategy , inc l uding setting priori ties , making trade-off decisions , and ensuring alignment across functions and geographies.

The role will oversee enterprise employee engagement programs, culture communications, internal channels, publishing, and employee-facing communications programs, activating through Gilead’s Communications Centers of Excellence to deliver integrated communications strategies, coordinated storytelling, and aligned execution across internal, digital, editorial, and employee-facing channels.

This role demands an innovative thinker who can craft a unified strategy, drive seamless execution, and provide enhanced communications support to achieve critical business and culture priorities. The ideal candidate is both a visionary strategist and a hands-on leader capable of coaching and inspiring a high-performing team. They will oversee a team of communications professionals, collaborating closely with internal partners, senior business leaders, centers of excellence , and agency partners.

Key Responsibilities

Lead & Execute Strategy

• Drive the development and execution of comprehensive employee communications and engagement strategies that align with enterprise priorities, business objectives , and employee engagement goals. Establish clear goals and measurable KPIs in collaboration with internal stakeholders to ensure strategic focus, accountability, and high-performance outcomes. Own pr i oritization decisions and resource allo cation across competing enterprise and functional communications needs.
  

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Leverage employee insights, engagement data, channel analytics, organizational trends, and feedback mechanisms to inform strategies and provide leaders with timely counsel on employee sentiment, communications effectiveness, and opportunities to improve alignment.
  

Enterprise & Functional Narrative

• Collaborate with Public Affairs teams, business leaders, Human Resources, and functional partners to shape and deliver compelling enterprise and functional narratives that connect employees to Gilead’s mission, strategy, values, and business priorities.
  

Employee Engagement & Culture Strategies

• Design and drive communications initiatives that strengthen employee connection, reinforce Gilead’s culture, support inclusion and belonging, and improve understanding of enterprise priorities across the organization , partic ularly during periods of enterprise change and transformation .
  

Strategic Advisory Role

• Provide counsel to senior leaders and cross-functional teams on internal communications, employee engagement, change management, organizational announcements, leadership visibility, and reputational impacts. Serve as the senior strategic communications partner for employee communications and engagement across the enterprise, helping leaders navigate organizational priorities, employee sentiment, business context, and reputational considerations.

• Play a critical leaders hip role in enterprise transformation initiatives , ensuring employee understanding , leadership alignment, and cultural adoption of change.
  

Voice of Employees

• Amplify employee perspectives by integrating employee sentiment, engagement insights, and organizational feedback into communications strategies and business decisions.
  

Issue Monitoring & Response

• Identify internal reputational opportunities and challenges, leading efforts to prepare for and respond effectively to sensitive employee, organizational, or culture-related issues.
  

Cross-Functional Alignment

• Serve as a bridge between strategic communications leaders, employee engagement, internal channels, culture communications, Human Resources, Legal, and Public Affairs centers of excellence to ensure coordinated planning, aligned messaging, and consistent execution.
  

Internal Channels & Publishing

• Oversee internal channels, editorial planning, publishing governance, and content strategy to ensure employees receive timely , relevant, and engaging communications across the appropriate platforms .
  

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders and key internal stakeholders across Human Resources, Commercial, Pharmaceutical Development & Manufacturing, Legal, Finance, Public Affairs, and other enterprise functions.
  

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and support a high-performing team responsible for employee engagement, culture communications, internal channels, editorial planning, publishing, and enterprise employee communications programs.

• Lead, coach , and develop managers and senior communication leaders , with accountability for leadership capability , succession , and bench stren gth across enterprise communicatio ns.

• Develop a future-ready team equipped with modern communications skills, clear priorities, and a strong service mindset.

• Provide direction through both direct and matrixed teams, ensuring clarity of roles , decision rights , and accountability.
  

Budget Oversight

• Proactively manage financial resources, agency support, and operational priorities to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with core strategic priorities.
  

Enhanced Qualifications:

• Global or enterprise communications leadership experience, preferably in pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or another highly regulated industry, with significant experience leading internal, executive, and functional communications teams.

• Deep expertise across the communications spectrum, including internal communications, executive communications, employee engagement, culture communications, change communications, and digital/internal channel strategy.

• Demonstrated experience shaping integrated communications strategies that align with business priorities, employee engagement goals, and reputation objectives .

• Proven ability to advise senior executives and functional leaders on communications strategy, employee sentiment, leadership messaging, and organizational change.

• Strong understanding of the employee experience and the role communications plays in building trust, clarity, inclusion, and engagement.

• Track record of effective stakeholder engagement and relationship-building across senior leadership, Human Resources, Legal, Public Affairs, and business functions.

• Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams.

• Experience in issue management, change communications, employee engagement, and internal reputation management.

• Proven ability to develop and lead high-performing communications teams, individuals, and leaders.

• Demonstrated experience leading leaders and building high -perform ing, multi -layered teams in complex, ma trixed organizat ions.
  

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and Fourteen Years’ Experience

OR

• Masters’ Degree and Twelve Years’ Experience

OR

• PhD and Twelve Years’ Experience
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree and Twelve years of experience in corporate communications, internal communications, employee communications, public affairs, or related fields.

• Strong understanding of internal communications platforms, digital channels, social media, and modern employee engagement strategies.

• Experience leading communications in a publicly traded pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or highly regulated company.

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex business, scientific, operational, and organizational topics into clear, compelling communications.

• Prior experience supporting senior executives, enterprise transformation, culture initiatives, and employee engagement programs is preferred.
  

People Leader Accountabilities

• Create Inclusion - Know the business value of diverse teams, model inclusion, and embed the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.

• Develop Talent - Understand the skills, experience, aspirations, and potential of employees and coach them on current performance and future potential. Ensure employees receive the feedback and insight needed to grow, develop, and realize their purpose.