At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic technology initiatives and drive AI transformation in a dynamic pharmaceutical environment.
- Company: Join GSK, a forward-thinking company committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, healthcare, and flexible hybrid working options.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values growth, wellbeing, and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare by shaping cutting-edge technology strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in technology leadership and strategic project delivery in pharma is essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Senior Director, R&D AI & Technology Transformation
We create a place where people can grow, be their best, be safe, and feel welcome, valued and included.
We offer a competitive salary, an annual bonus based on company performance, healthcare and wellbeing programmes, pension plan membership, and shares and savings programme.
We embrace modern work practises; our Performance with Choice programme offers a hybrid working model, empowering you to find the optimal balance between remote and in-office work.
Discover more about our company wide benefits and life at GSK on our webpage Life at GSK | GSK Senior Director, R&D AI & Technology Transformation R&D Tech Transformation & Operations connects strategy, investment and delivery across priority R&D technology programmes.
The team works with scientific, technology and business leaders to strengthen decisions, accelerate value and support consistent adoption across R&D.
This role strengthens a portfolio of priority R&D technology programmes by connecting programme teams with R&D technology strategy and investment decisions.
You will work closely with selected programmes, bringing constructive challenge, strategic support, and external market insight.
You will help teams frame choices, define value and address barriers without taking accountability away from programme owners.
We expect to appoint two Senior Directors through this recruitment, with complementary experience across research and drug development technology.
For candidates seeking to be located at our Stevenage site, this role will temporarily be based at Stevenage.
However, the Company plans to relocate its offices to Cambridge, UK.
The location of this role will therefore subsequently change to Cambridge, UK in accordance with timelines to be set by the Company.
The relocation is currently proposed to take effect by early 2029.
In this role you will Partner with leaders of selected priority technology programmes to clarify strategy, scope, value objectives, roadmaps and organisational needs.
Provide an independent, evidence-based view of programme progress, risks and value delivery to support Technology Investment Board decisions.
Apply a high-challenge, high-support approach, bringing transparency while helping teams solve strategic problems and remove barriers.
Lead focused work on questions such as build, buy or partner choices, capability sourcing, operating models and external technology landscapes.
Assess which capabilities could create competitive advantage and which can be sourced effectively from external partners.
Help shape new technology initiatives, including their business case, funding approach, value definition, governance and delivery model.
Connect learning across programmes, identify opportunities for reuse and reduce unnecessary duplication of technology capabilities.
Build trusted relationships with senior scientific, technology and business leaders, influencing decisions without direct authority.
Translate between scientific, operational and technical stakeholders so that complex choices become clear and actionable.
Contribute directly to strategic projects related to the wider portfolio while programme delivery accountability remains with programme owners.
- competitive salary
- an annual bonus based on company performance
- healthcare and wellbeing programmes
- pension plan membership
- shares and savings programme
- health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
- retirement benefits
- paid holidays
- vacation
- paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
- annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program
- Basic qualifications
- Degree or equivalent experience in technology, computer science, life sciences, engineering, business or a related discipline.
- Significant experience leading strategic technology, AI or digital transformation work in a large pharmaceutical environment.
- Strong knowledge of drug research or development and the ability to work credibly with scientific, operational and technology leaders.
- Demonstrated experience shaping and delivering cross-functional strategic projects in complex organisations.
- Experience evaluating technology capabilities, operating models, partnerships or build-versus-buy decisions.
- Ability to use structured analysis to develop recommendations and support implementation.
- Executive-level communication and influencing skills, including confidence working with Vice Presidents and other senior leaders.
- Evidence of hands‑on contribution, sound judgement and effective delivery in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
- Preferred Qualifications & Skills
- Experience in management consulting, particularly strategy, technology or life sciences consulting.
- Experience moving from consulting into pharmaceutical, biotechnology or life-sciences technology roles.
- Knowledge of AI-enabled research or development solutions, clinical development technology, regulatory technology, data platforms or scientific technology.
- Product, portfolio or investment experience within pharmaceutical R&D, biotechnology, a contract research organisation or a life-sciences technology company.
- Experience working with external vendors, technology partners or innovation ecosystems.
- Closing Date for Applications – 4th October 2026
If you are based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges $203,775 to $339,625.
The US salary ranges take into account a number of factors including work location within the US market, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role.
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.
GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success.
We’re uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.
We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be.
A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued and included.
Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing.
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Senior Director, R&D AI & Technology Transformation in Cambridge employer: GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering a dynamic work culture where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a hybrid working model based in the UK, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance patient safety globally. The company fosters a supportive environment that encourages continuous learning and professional advancement, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a difference in healthcare.
