Job Description

Job Description

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

The Senior Congress Planner serves as a strategic lead responsible for the end-to-end planning, governance, and execution of pharmaceutical congress participation. This role independently manages complex congress
portfolios and exercises advanced judgment and discretion in decision-making related to budget, vendor strategy, compliance, and operational execution. The position is accountable for outcomes that directly impact financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, stakeholder experience, and the effectiveness of Gilead’s congress presence.

Core Responsibilities

• Independently lead all aspects of assigned congresses, including strategic planning, operational design, financial governance, vendor selection, and execution, with full accountability for outcomes, timelines, and compliance.
• Serve as the primary decision-maker for congress operational strategy, including budget optimization, resource allocation, vendor negotiations, and risk mitigation within established corporate, legal, and regulatory frameworks.
• Develop and enforce congress execution strategies, determining appropriate logistical approaches, registration models, exhibit asset utilization, and attendee engagement methods based on business priorities and event objectives.
• Exercise independent judgment in managing congress budgets, including forecasting, accruals, reconciliation, and expense reporting; make decisions and recommendations that materially impact financial outcomes, return on investment, and budget integrity.
• Lead vendor sourcing, contracting recommendations, and commercial negotiations, with authority to influence scope, cost, and delivery models to meet business objectives; manage vendor performance and resolve issues as needed.
• Apply independent judgment to ensure congress activities comply with regulatory, legal, and internal policy requirements, proactively identifying risks and determining appropriate mitigation strategies in partnership with Legal and Compliance when required.
• Establish, evaluate, and evolve standard operating procedures (SOPs) for congress execution, identifying gaps, driving continuous improvement, and implementing process changes that enhance efficiency and consistency across the broader meetings organization.
• Act as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders, influencing decision-making related to congress participation, engagement models, and attendee experience through data-driven and experience-based recommendations.
• Manage without authority, providing oversight, guidance, and quality assurance across events led by other planners to ensure consistency, compliance, and operational excellence; serve as a senior subject-matter resource for complex or high-risk congresses.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and strategic projects that impact congress planning capabilities, including the implementation of new tools, technologies, and workflows across the organization.

Decision-Making & Autonomy

• Operates with substantial autonomy in planning and executing assigned congresses
• Makes independent decisions related to budget management, vendor strategy, operational execution, and issue resolution
• Escalates only matters involving significant risk, policy deviation, or enterprise-level impact
• Accountable for outcomes and business impact rather than task-level execution

Knowledge & Skills

• Extensive experience in congress and large-scale event management
• Advanced understanding and application of event planning principles, industry standards, and best practices
• Demonstrated analytical expertise, strategic thinking, and ability to make sound decisions in complex environments
• Advanced problem-solving and decision-making skills under pressure
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing complex budgets
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams
• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical or regulated environment
• Proficiency in MS Office and event-related technologies, including financial management tools, Cvent, Jifflenow, and SAP
• Willingness to travel approximately 25%

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and Fiver Years' of Experience

OR

Master's degree and Three Years' of Experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required in Event Management, Business, Marketing, or a related field
Minimum of 5+ years of progressively responsible congress or large-scale event management experience
Demonstrating independent decision-making authority and ownership of outcomes

Event Management, Marketing, or equivalent professional experience
Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM), Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), or equivalent certification
Experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industries

People Leader Accountabilities :

•Create Inclusion - knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.

•Develop Talent - understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current performance and future potential. They ensure employees are receiving the feedback and insight needed to grow, develop and realize their purpose.

•Empower Teams - connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizational objectives, and holding them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem.

The salary range for this position is: $107,185.00 - $138,710.00. Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

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' poster.

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.

Job Tags

For contractors, Local area

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