Associate Director, Social Media Strategy

Gilead is looking for an Associate Director of Social Media Strategy who will be responsible for shaping and executing our social media presence across platforms. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on content creation, ensuring that social media channels not only amplify enterprise priorities but also engage audiences authentically through compelling, social-first storytelling.

The successful candidate will manage the full lifecycle of social content – everything from planning to production to performance - while serving as a connector between internal stakeholders, creative teams, and leadership. This role reports to the Executive Director, Digital Communications.

As the Associate Director, Social Media Strategy, essential duties and responsibilities include:

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and refine the enterprise social media strategy aligned to business goals, reputation, and brand priorities to ensure the alignment between social content and enterprise priorities.

• Advise senior leadership and internal stakeholders on best practices for social storytelling and digital engagement.

• Identify emerging platforms, trends, and formats to keep the organization at the forefront of digital communications.

Content Creation & Production

• Proactively Manage the editorial calendar, ensuring alignment with corporate initiatives and real-time opportunities while ensuring quality and the right frequency of original, social-first content.

• Capture and produce social-first video content, including filming at events and onsite locations.

• Apply basic video editing and graphic design skills to produce polished, platform-native assets.

• Partner with creative/design resources for higher-complexity needs.

Stakeholder Engagement & Enablement

• Coordinate with internal teams (Public Affairs, Marketing, HR, Business Units) to source content and amplify enterprise stories.

• Support executives and thought leaders in building their social presence, ensuring consistency with brand voice.

• Train and advise colleagues on digital fluency and social media best practices.

Analytics & Optimization

• Own social media analytics, monitoring performance and providing actionable insights to support enhanced brand/reputation metrics tied to support social media presence.

• Translate data into strategy adjustments—refining content mix, posting cadence, and audience targeting.

• Report results to leadership, highlighting ROI and reputational impact.

Issue Crisis Readiness

• Monitor social channels for risks and opportunities, escalating issues quickly to leadership.

• Help shape rapid-response strategies that protect and enhance brand reputation in moments of change.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 10+ years of experience in social media, digital communications, or content strategy.

• Strong digital fluency: deep understanding of platforms, including Artificial Intelligence, trends, algorithms, and audience behaviors.

• Proven ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on content creation.

• Experience with video production (filming + editing), graphic design basics, and storytelling.

• Skilled in analytics tools and data-driven decision-making.

• Comfortable advising executives and senior leaders on digital engagement.

• Familiarity with media monitoring, social listening, or competitive intelligence platforms.

• Exceptional written, visual and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to partner cross-functionally, collaborate and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Preferred:

• Background in public affairs, corporate communications, reputation management, consulting, PR agencies or government relations.

• Experience in a global or highly matrixed corporate environment.

• Knowledge of the regulatory, political, or social responsibility landscapes impacting business and reputation.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 10+ years of experience, or

• Master’s Degree and 8+ years of experience

Location: Foster City, CA or Santa Monica, CA