Director, GPS Strategic Distributor Relations

Gilead Sciences; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in Uxbridge is seeking a GPS Strategic Distributor Relations & Governance Director to develop a comprehensive three-year strategy for distributor markets. This role involves maintaining distributor relationships, overseeing compliance, and improving training programs. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Business Administration or Life Sciences and extensive experience in distributor management across diverse global markets.

Qualifications

• Experience in distributor management within pharmaceutical or healthcare industries.
• Solid experience influencing stakeholders in global functions.
• Proven track record designing multi-year strategies for distributor markets.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a 3-year distributor strategy.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with distributors.
• Oversee contracting, onboarding, and off-boarding processes.

Skills

Project management

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical mindset

Leadership in process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Life Sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Director, GPS Strategic Distributor Relations & Governance Director

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.

We are seeking a highly organized, strategic, and proactive GPS Strategic Distributor Relations & Governance Director to build and implement a 3‑year Distributor Strategic Framework whilst supporting and enhancing our current regional distributor operations. This role is essential for ensuring strong partnerships, optimal performance, compliance, and governance standards across multiple markets.

Core Responsibilities:

• Designing and implementing a 3‑year distributor strategy: develop a comprehensive three‑year strategy for GPS distributor markets, ensuring alignment with the Regional ICR and guiding regional distributor optimization, performance targets, and market‑specific initiatives across LATAM, Africa, Middle East, and Asia.
• Distributor relationship management: assist Regional Commercial Leads in maintaining and strengthening relationships with distributors, addressing and resolving relationship and performance issues promptly to foster a collaborative environment.
• Contracting, onboarding, and off‑boarding: oversee end‑to‑end processes for contracting new distributors, onboarding them into the company’s systems, and managing off‑boarding as necessary, ensuring compliance with governance policies and regulations.
• Project management of contracting & engagements: lead cross‑functional teams (legal, compliance, commercial, finance) in contracting projects, tracking milestones, and ensuring efficient onboarding and off‑boarding.
• Governance & compliance meetings: organize and facilitate regular governance meetings (monthly, quarterly, steering committees), prepare agendas, track action items, and ensure alignment with policies and standards.
• Distributor development & training: support and coordinate the development of training programs to enhance distributor capabilities and operational excellence, conducting or facilitating regular training sessions.
• Standardization & best practice implementation: drive the consistent application of governance standards across regions, developing regional governance frameworks with standardized procedures and documentation.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Life Sciences, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in distributor management, contract administration, or equivalent roles within pharmaceutical, healthcare, or regulated industries.
• Solid experience working in global functions, influencing above‑country stakeholders and aligning regional strategies.
• Proven track record designing and executing multi‑year strategies for distributor markets, aligned with regional frameworks.
• Extensive experience across diverse markets, including LATAM, Africa, Middle East, and Asia, understanding their unique market dynamics for distributor optimization.
• Strong understanding of regulatory and compliance standards relevant to market access and distribution.

Skills & Attributes:

• Exceptional project management, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop training materials and lead effective training sessions.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret performance data and recommend improvements.
• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with governance frameworks, compliance tools, and cross‑cultural communication.
• Demonstrated leadership in process improvement initiatives.
• Willingness to travel approximately 70%, spending extended periods building and strengthening distributor relationships in cities such as Costa Rica, Dubai, Vietnam, Thailand, and North Africa.

Additional Information:

This role provides a unique opportunity to shape and improve our regional distributor network, directly contributing to the company’s growth, operational excellence, and reputation.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

It is the policy of Gilead Sciences, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively "Gilead" or the "Company") to recruit select and employ the most qualified persons available for positions throughout the Company. Except if otherwise provided by applicable law, all employment actions relating to issues such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, returns from layoffs, company-sponsored training, education assistance, social and recreational programs are administered on a non-discriminatory basis (i.e. without regard to protected characteristics or prohibited grounds, which may include an individual’s gender, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, veteran status, and age, unless such protection is prohibited by federal, state, municipal, provincial, local or other applicable laws). Gilead also prohibits discrimination based on any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.