3 Government Relations jobs in the United Kingdom

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**
**Associate Director/Director, Public Affairs, Gilead Sciences UK & Ireland**
**The position**
We are currently looking for an Associate Director/Director level team member to join our Public Affairs team, based in our Holborn Office (London).
Reporting into the Senior Director, Public Affairs, UK and Ireland, this role is mainly responsible for product and pipeline communications, patient communications and advocacy and related internal and corporate communications within the affiliate. This is a highly visible communications role covering several therapy areas.
**Responsibilities include:**
+ Develop and implement strategic programmes to communicate the value that our medicines deliver throughout their lifecycle
+ Coordinate with cross-functional colleagues to ensure alignment and collaboration on strategic priorities and messaging across different stakeholders
+ Examine complex issues from a broader organization perspective, determine communications opportunities and help determine priorities for Public Affairs
+ Develop/strengthen relationships with a wide variety of community advocates, organisations and professionals
+ Implement creative, patient-centric disease awareness & communication campaigns to engage with communities we serve
+ Prepare press releases, presentations, internal newsletters and other communications materials
+ Respond to media requests and arrange interviews with Gilead spokespeople and opinion leader spokespeople as appropriate
+ Ensure alignment of local activities with corporate guidance, working closely with regional/global teams
+ Effectively manage all aspects of public relations agency relationships, including providing direction and project management
+ Manage budgets to target
+ Represent Public Affairs within cross-functional brand teams and steering committees,
+ Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, internal policies/procedures and external codes
+ Coordinate with cross-functional colleagues across the organization to ensure consistent messaging
+ Ensure alignment of local activities with corporate guidance, working closely with regional/corporate HQ teams
+ Be the contact person for related crisis and issues mitigation/management
**Knowledge, experience and skills**
+ Demonstrable experience, in a similar capacity, of public relations in pharmaceutical and healthcare
+ Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
+ Demonstrated experience in media relations, issues management; knowledge of healthcare and industry media and reporting trends
+ Strong experience in patient advocacy and the co-creation of multi-channel campaigns
+ Strong knowledge of social media and experience in managing social media campaigns (corporate and/or disease area specific)
+ Previous experience in product launches (regulatory and reimbursement)
+ Demonstrated knowledge of regulations and principles specific to communications for a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company
+ Experience managing multiple projects (timelines, budgets, priorities) simultaneously; flexibility and results-oriented focus are essential
+ Ability to interact with senior management and high-profile experts appropriately, with confidence and ease
+ Strong understanding of UK political/health policy and access environment, including processes and key stakeholders
+ Knowledge of Irish media and healthcare environment preferred.
+ Recent or current agency experience is preferred
+ Typically requires a BA degree in communications, liberal arts, business or science-oriented field (or International Equivalent) or proven relevant experience, which includes solid healthcare public relations experience
**_Behaviours_**
+ Ability to engage and manage multiple stakeholders to achieve objectives
+ Curious with a strong learning agility (the ability to rapidly study, analyse 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 objective
**_Gilead_** **_Core Values_**
+ 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)
**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:**
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.

**Shape Policy. Build Reputation. Drive Change.**
We're an award-winning global agency. PRWeek's Global Agency of the Year, a "Standout Agency" on Ad Age's A-List, and the only PR agency awarded EY's National Equality Standard (twice!). We're passionate about making a difference, both for our clients and for our people.
We're looking for an **Associate Director** with a deep understanding of the UK political and regulatory landscape, proven leadership skills, and a track record in delivering high-impact public affairs and integrated communications strategies.
**About the Team**
You'll join our dynamic Corporate Affairs practice, a collaborative, award-winning team that delivers campaigns shaping policy and reputation at the heart of the UK's most pressing debates. We combine political insight, stakeholder engagement, and creative storytelling to help clients navigate complexity and make a real impact.
**The Role**
You'll act as a senior advisor, leading major client accounts and guiding teams to deliver excellence. You'll shape public affairs strategies, build coalitions, engage stakeholders, and support clients on regulatory, parliamentary, and reputational challenges. You'll also play a key role in agency operations, talent development, and new business growth.
**Key Responsibilities:**
**Client Leadership**
+ Advise clients on policy, regulation, and political risk-building trusted relationships and guiding strategy.
+ Oversee programme delivery, ensuring work is impactful, compliant, and aligned with client goals.
+ Set the standard for excellence across all client work, from strategy to execution.
**Strategic Planning & Execution**
+ Develop and lead best-in-class public affairs and advocacy strategies.
+ Support clients with parliamentary engagement, regulatory submissions, and consultation responses.
+ Advise on issues, crisis management, stakeholder mapping, and reputation campaigns.
+ Champion analytics to inform campaign decisions and measure success.
+ Ensure alignment between public affairs, media, digital, and broader communications objectives.
**Agency Operations**
+ Manage resources, utilization, and capacity planning.
+ Scope work, set budgets, and forecast revenue for clients.
+ Collaborate with project management, finance, and client teams to implement effective ways of working.
**Talent Development**
+ Line-manage and mentor junior and mid-level colleagues.
+ Lead account teams with a focus on development, inclusion, and professional growth.
+ Oversee project management and resource allocation across accounts.
**Business Development & Thought Leadership**
+ Lead new business strategy, from ideation and proposals to pitches.
+ Identify and convert opportunities for account growth.
+ Represent our agency at industry events and contribute to thought leadership and marketing.
**About You**
+ An experienced public affairs consultant-either an established Associate Director or a Senior Account Director ready for promotion.
+ Skilled in tracking political and policy developments and translating them into insightful client counsel.
+ Possess an integrated communications mindset-combining digital, media, coalition building, and traditional engagement.
+ A proven business developer-adept at marketing activity, lead generation, and winning pitches.
**Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion**
We are proud to create an inclusive and equitable environment for everyone. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.
**Ready to Make an Impact?**
If you're ready to help shape policy, build reputation, and drive change, apply now with your CV and a brief cover note explaining why you're the ideal candidate for this role.
**A few things we think you'll love:**
+ A friendly and inclusive team with a global reach
+ Opportunities to work across multi-market campaigns and collaborate across our Omnicom network
+ A clear pathway for growth, development and leadership
+ Global mobility and secondment opportunities
+ Flexible hybrid working with a culture that truly values work-life balance
+ Amazing Culture Club perks - from rooftop yoga to in-house massages
+ Comprehensive wellbeing and benefits package (including BUPA, generous parental leave, gym membership, fertility & menopause support)
+ Generous holidays, including birthday leave, Christmas closure and sabbaticals
_We will always treat your data in the strictest confidence. For further information our Data & Privacy policy is located on our?_ website _._
_Apologies in advance but due to the high volume of applications we receive we aren't always able to respond to every application individually._
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