Discovery Disease Area Lead, Neurology

At GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), we are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by leveraging scientific advancements to develop better medicines with reduced attrition. Through our Discovery Disease Area Leads (DDAL), we enable target identification, selection, and validation at scale, driving innovation and excellence across our R&D landscape.

As the Discovery Disease Area Lead, Neurology, you will be at the forefront of our mission, driving the discovery and validation of therapeutic targets in neurological diseases. You will lead a cross-functional, highly matrixed team of scientists, clinical staff, and pharma experts to identify and validate high-quality targets using large-scale experimental and in silico approaches. Your efforts will ultimately contribute to translating human disease phenotype information into actionable therapeutic innovations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Portfolio Execution

• Generate and oversee the pre-Commit to Target (C2T) project portfolio in neurology.
• Regularly deliver small pools of high-potential targets that fulfill all C2T quality criteria based on therapeutic area-defined target medicine profiles for bespoke target validation.
• Influence Senior R&D management by identifying and communicating portfolio risks and opportunities.
• Drive development and implementation of key components of the neuroscience strategy in RTech for the Research Units.
• Ensure appropriate representation of lines/functions within the operational matrix team.

• Apply deep experience in Neuroscience drug discovery, focusing on clinically relevant target identification through human-first discovery approaches.
• Drive best-in-class science across Research Technologies and Research Units (RUs).
• Partner proactively with Research Units and Research Technology Leadership to provide strategic scientific input into disease phenotype discovery and therapeutic target identification.
• Maintain connection with neuroscience experts, KOLs, and societies to ensure solid strategic guidance on the emerging neuroscience understanding which could impact the portfolio and priorities.
• General understanding of clinical treatments for ALS, PD and AD, and emerging innovative trial design and biomarkers.
• Lead the creation of strong business cases that align with RU and RTech strategies.
• Collaborate with Business Development to assess external opportunities.

• Ensure adherence to decision frameworks up to C2T, incorporating relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate resources from RTech and RUs to cover all steps from patient identification, strategic ideation, target screening, triage, large-scale validation, and presentation.
• Elevate resource challenges, project risks, pipeline risks, and opportunities to Research Tech LT.
• Make recommendations to department heads (RTech and RUs) on areas to reduce, postpone, or stop.

Basic Qualifications:

• Education: PhD
• Experience: Extensive years of progressive pharmaceutical experience required, including key project leadership roles in programs that progressed to the clinic and/or approval for neurological indications.
• Leadership Skills: Proven track record of exceptional team and cross-functional leadership.
• R&D Expertise: Experience with neuroscience R&D programs, scientific and clinical strategies.
• Research Program Design: Proven ability to design a comprehensive drug discovery program to reach a critical milestone.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong data interpretation and report/presentation writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to assimilate complex science quickly and work globally.
• Ability to work cross-functionally, cross-geography, and with high-level managers and executives.
• Excellent executive communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple demands and priorities on time, lead teams, gain alignment, and drive decision-making.
• Access to internal and external networks of experts.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose - to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together - so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns - as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. 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. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

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.

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.