Associate Director, Legal & Compliance - Middle East

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 Gilead is seeking an Associate Director, Legal & Compliance–Middle East, reporting to the Legal & Compliance Director ME, to lead and further embed a best-in-class compliance program across the region, while continuing to provide high-quality legal support to business operations in Middle East. The role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role combines strategic compliance leadership with pragmatic legal business partnering, with a strong emphasis on business conduct oversight and risk identification and mitigation across Middle East markets. The role serves as a trusted compliance advisor to Commercial, Medical, Market Access and functional leadership teams and acts as a key driver of a strong culture of ethics and integrity (“tone from the top”). Key responsibilities include providing oversight and being accountable for day-to-day activities of Gilead KSA Affiliate and the Middle East Region, as well as transparency reporting, compliance monitoring, compliance risk assessment, employee and third-party compliance training, policy implementation, ensuring effective compliance oversight in cross-functional activities in all Middle East countries. The position will work closely with functional leaders to ensure full integration of compliance into business processes. The ideal candidate will have prior experience counselling prescription pharmaceutical companies in Middle East. Key Responsibilities Compliance: Transparency Reporting: Ensure complete, accurate, and timely reporting of transfers of value and other required transparency data in Saudi Arabia and across relevant GCC markets. Administer the transparency reporting systems for the region, maintaining data quality and liaising with internal stakeholders to meet all local transparency and disclosure obligations. Advise on legal risks related to disclosure obligations and exercise sound judgment in assessing potential exposure. Business Compliance Monitoring & Compliance Reporting: Cooperate with the Business Compliance Monitoring Manager for Turkey & Middle East to conduct and oversee compliance monitoring activities (e.g., sampling events, sponsorships, grants, and other HCP/HCO interactions) and preparing required compliance reports to local health authorities and internal stakeholders. Help identify potential compliance risks or systemic issues through monitoring and audits, and work with relevant business functions to implement corrective actions arising out of local audits internally and for local vendors or business partners or distributors. Policy Implementation & Compliance Projects: Drive implementation of global and local compliance policies and procedures throughout the Middle East. Work on strategically important compliance projects (both local and regional), ensuring alignment with global compliance initiatives and local business needs. Participate in global or international compliance working groups and contribute to the development and enhancement of compliance monitoring programs at the local and international level. Proven track record in championing transparency initiatives and compliance programs. Training & Communication: Develop and deliver compliance training and awareness programs for employees and relevant third parties within the Middle East (GCC). Training topics may include but are not limited to anti-bribery/anti-corruption, healthcare compliance, interactions with healthcare professionals (HCPs), organizations (HCOs) and public officials. Foster a strong “tone from the top” by supporting regular compliance communications and leading the Middle East Compliance Committee meetings. Advisory & Collaboration: Act as a trusted compliance advisor for business units (Commercial, Medical, Market Access, Government Affairs, etc.) in the Middle East. Provide guidance on moderately to highly complex compliance questions, ensuring business activities are planned and executed in line with Gilead’s compliance standards. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to integrate compliance considerations into key initiatives and decision-making processes. Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Conduct periodic compliance risk assessments across Middle East operations to evaluate business conduct, identify compliance gaps or emerging risks, and recommend mitigation strategies and lead remedial actions. Monitor changes in local laws and industry codes (e.g., new regulations in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries), and lead the implementation of any required changes to ensure ongoing compliance. Third-Party Compliance Oversight: Manage compliance due diligence and oversight of third-party business partners (e.g., distributors, agents, vendors) in the Middle East region. Ensure effective processes for evaluating and mitigating third-party compliance risks, including anti-bribery, sanctions/trade compliance, and government interactions, in collaboration with other relevant teams. Other Duties: Serve as a lead to local compliance committees (such as Grant Review and Business Conduct Committees, among others) as appropriate. Lead or support additional compliance-related tasks and cross-functional projects in the Middle East region as assigned, especially those with strategic importance or significant complexity. Represent the company as a credible leader in meetings with key Government Departments/Health authorities when required. Legal: In close partnership with the Legal Director, act as a business partner to Commercial, Medical, Market Access and functional teams in the Middle East, providing responsive, practical, and solution-oriented legal advice on a broad range of strategic and operational matters. • Acting alongside the Legal Director, provide legal counsel across key areas of law, including corporate, healthcare regulatory, public procurement, competition/antitrust, data privacy, and commercial contracting, ensuring business activities comply with applicable laws and regulations. • Supporting the Legal Director to draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements and legal documents, including commercial contracts, distributor agreements, and strategic business arrangements, ensuring appropriate risk mitigation and alignment with company policies. • Advise on legal aspects of interactions with healthcare professionals (HCPs), healthcare organizations (HCOs), patient groups, and government entities, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry codes. • Provide legal support in internal investigations, audits, and enforcement matters, including assessing legal risks, advising on exposure, and supporting remediation strategies. • Represent the company in interactions with government authorities and regulatory agencies, acting as a credible and trusted legal representative when required. • Ensure