Director, Legal - Canada

At Gilead Sciences Canada Inc. we take pride in being recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employer 2024. Click here to find out why Gilead Sciences Canada is a top employer!

Chez Gilead Sciences Canada Inc., nous sommes fiers d’être reconnus comme l’un des meilleurs employeurs du Grand Toronto pour 2024. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus sur les raisons de notre succès.

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

Director, Legal - Canada

Hybrid eligible, 3 days a week on site

At Gilead, Creating Possible drives everything we do. It’s evident in our mission and core values. This is how we built a culture of excellence that is fuelled by a passion for improving the lives of people around the world and advancing the care of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases.

We are driven to develop lifesaving products that make a difference for patients around the world. Every day, we aim to transform the promise of science and technology into breakthrough, innovative therapies that have the power to cure, prevent or treat disease. As a research-based bio pharmaceutical company, we are revolutionizing healthcare by bringing medicines to patients in the areas of unmet need including HIV/AIDS, liver diseases, haematology, oncology, and inflammatory diseases. When you join Gilead, you join our mission to change the world by enabling people to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

The Role

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a thriving bio-pharmaceutical company, providing strategic legal and compliance support across a broad range of operational and commercial matters. This role will support Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc., based in Mississauga, Ontario.

We are seeking a highly accomplished legal professional who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and is passionate about partnering with the business to drive meaningful outcomes. This role offers the opportunity to act as a trusted advisor, shaping key decisions and influencing strategy within a highly regulated and innovative industry.

The successful candidate will provide expert legal advice and counsel to the Canadian business on a wide range of strategic and operational initiatives. The role includes supporting business partners across multiple functions-including Sales & Marketing, Medical Affairs, Public Affairs, Commercial Operations, Market Access, Government Affairs, and Regulatory-to ensure compliance with applicable Canadian laws and regulations, drive operational excellence, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.

Key Responsibilities:

Act as a strategic legal partner to cross-functional teams, supporting both day-to-day operations and key business initiatives.

Advise business partners on various commercial and medical initiatives in a way that advances the company’s strategy while addressing legal risks and protecting the company’s integrity and reputation.

Provide legal guidance on advertising, promotion, and interactions with healthcare professionals and organisations.

Support corporate governance, internal policies, and compliance frameworks, and assist with internal reviews.

Identify opportunities to streamline contracting processes, templates, and playbooks.

Analyse emerging pharmaceutical regulatory trends and provide proactive legal guidance to the organisation.

Develop and deliver training to build employee awareness of local legal and compliance obligations.

Ensure compliance policies and procedures are up to date and support efficient operation of compliant business activities;

Manage and coordinate with external counsel on legal matters, including disputes, regulatory issues, and specialised advice.

Competencies and Experience

• Deep legal expertise in your area(s) of responsibility, with the ability to navigate complex and evolving regulatory environments with confidence.
• Exceptional communication skills-able to distil complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice.
• A strong client-service mindset, anticipating business needs and responding with agility and judgement.
• The ability to operate independently, managing priorities and delivering results with minimal oversight.
• A track record of developing persuasive recommendations and influencing decision-making at senior levels.
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills with a solutions-oriented approach.
• Strong organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• A collaborative and adaptable approach, thriving in cross-functional teams.
• A proactive, motivated mindset with a strong sense of ownership.
• Fluency in English with excellent professional proficiency.

Experience & Qualifications

• Requires a Juris Doctorate and called to the Bar of Ontario.
• 10+ years of experience in private practice and/or in-house roles.
• Experience advising on statutes, regulations, guidance documents, and ethical standards governing the pharmaceutical industry including the Food and Drugs Act & Regulations, anti-bribery laws, privacy laws, Competition Act, patent laws, PAAB’s Code of Advertising Acceptance, IMC Code of Ethical Practices.
• Proficiency in technology tools used by the Legal Department including Imanage, Team Connect, CoPilot, and Microsoft Teams is helpful.

Gilead Core Values

• Integrity (doing what's right)
• Teamwork (working together)
• Excellence (being your best)
• Accountability (taking personal responsibility)
• Inclusion (encouraging diversity)

Gilead Leadership Commitment

• 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.

We are committed to creating a healthier world for everyone - no matter the challenges ahead of us. Through bold and transformative science, we’re driving innovation that has the potential to become the next generation of life-changing medicines. Our ambition is evident in our mission. Because the impossible is not impossible. It’s what’s next.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.

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