Sr. Manager, Strategic Projects - Research Strategy, Innovation and Portfolio

About the role

About Research Strategy, Innovation and Portfolio (RSIP)

The Research Strategy, Innovation and Portfolio (RSIP) team helps Research operate more effectively by connecting people, priorities, processes, and information across the organization. The team partners with scientific and functional leaders to improve ways of working, enable informed decision-making, strengthen organizational capabilities, and foster a collaborative and innovative research environment.

RSIP supports Research through project and program leadership, business operations, governance, scientific communications, talent initiatives, data and analytics, external innovation, and special initiatives. By combining scientific understanding with operational excellence, the team helps accelerate discovery, improve organizational effectiveness, and strengthen the impact of Research.

Position Summary

The Sr. Manager, Research Strategic Projects serves as a trusted partner to leaders across Research, leading cross-functional initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, foster collaboration, develop talent, and amplify scientific achievements. The role brings structure and clarity to complex scientific and operational challenges by aligning stakeholders, guiding decision-making, and driving execution. Working across functions and levels of the organization, the Sr. Manager navigates evolving priorities, influences without authority, and helps translate ideas into sustainable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following

• Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve Research effectiveness, collaboration, scientific operations, and organizational capabilities across the Research organization
• Partner with scientific and functional leaders to establish priorities, align stakeholders, and drive execution of complex projects and programs
• Develop and implement processes, governance models, communications, and change-management approaches that help teams work more efficiently and achieve desired outcomes
• Translate complex scientific and business needs into actionable plans, clear communications, and measurable results
• Partner with Research Informatics, IT, and business stakeholders to align priorities and drive execution
• Cultivate strong connections across the Research organization to understand employee perspectives and surface emerging opportunities, challenges, and ideas to leadership
• Support Research-wide communications, engagement, and talent initiatives that strengthen scientific storytelling, employee development, and organizational culture

Basic Qualifications

• 8+ Years with BS/BA
• 6+ Years with MS/MA or MBA

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific, health sciences, business, project management, or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years of cross-functional project management experience; or a Master's degree or MBA with 6+ years of relevant experience; or a PharmD, DVM, MD, or PhD in a scientific field with 2+ years of relevant experience. A scientific background is preferred.
• Significant experience leading cross-functional projects in life sciences, biopharmaceutical Research, or a comparably complex scientific environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex initiatives, stakeholders, timelines, risks, decisions, and deliverables with a high degree of independence
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create executive-ready presentations and distill complex information for different audiences
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaborative digital tools
• Scientific or health sciences training combined with project management, operations, strategy, communications, or business administration experience
• Experience supporting senior leaders, governance bodies, Research-wide change initiatives, or cross-functional scientific teams
• Strong facilitation, stakeholder management, problem-solving, prioritization, and decision-support capabilities
• Ability to learn technical content quickly, ask effective questions, and operate confidently amid ambiguity and changing priorities
• Experience with scientific communications, newsletters, large Research events, talent programs, external collaborations, or digital and data initiatives
• Experience collaborating with Informatics, IT, and business teams to translate across audiences, align stake holders, and drive decisions
• Highly organized, agile, and effective under short timelines in a fast-paced environment; able to work both independently and collaboratively
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, development, accountability, teamwork, and recognition of contributors

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.

Pay and benefits

The salary range for this position is: $169,320.00 - $219,120.00. 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.

Your Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act

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.