At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality compliance initiatives and ensure adherence to regulatory standards in a dynamic pharmaceutical environment.
- Company: Join GSK, a global leader in healthcare innovation and patient impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Work on-site in Ware, Hertfordshire, with a focus on continuous improvement and team leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in global health while advancing your career in quality compliance.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a scientific field and significant experience in pharmaceutical quality systems.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
GSK remains committed to achieving bold commercial ambitions for the future. By 2031, we aim to deliver £40 billion in annual sales, leveraging our existing strong performance momentum to significantly increase our positive impact on the health of billions of patients globally. Our Ahead Together strategy is centred on early intervention to prevent and alter the course of disease, thereby protecting people and supporting healthcare systems. Our diverse portfolio consists of vaccines, specialty medicines, and general medicines. Through continuous innovation and a dedicated focus on scientific and technical excellence, we strive to develop and launch new, groundbreaking treatments that address critical health challenges.
The Quality Compliance Director is accountable for leading and overseeing the site Quality Compliance function, ensuring sustained adherence to regulatory requirements, GxP standards, and the Quality Management System (QMS). The role drives proactive compliance strategies and continuous improvement initiatives to maintain a high state of inspection readiness, including for Pre‑Approval Inspections (PAIs). The position provides quality governance across the product lifecycle, including Quality Council leadership, oversight of suppliers and third parties, complaints management, documentation control, and Periodic Product Reviews. Acting as a key interface with internal and external stakeholders — including regulatory authorities — the Quality Compliance Director plays a critical role in safeguarding and strengthening GSK’s reputation for excellence in quality and compliance. The Quality Compliance Director reports to the Site Quality Director and is a core member of the site Quality Leadership Team (QLT).
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the primary interface for regulatory inspections (Pre‑Approval Inspections (PAI) and routine inspections) and audits, ensuring inspection readiness.
- Manage and host the regulatory inspections, including preparation, execution, and follow‑up on corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
- Ensure compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) across all areas.
- Monitor evolving regulatory requirements (e.g., U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), World Health Organization (WHO) etc.) and ensure timely updates to quality systems and processes.
- Accountable for working with Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to grow capability in understanding Regulatory changes, associated risks and identifying appropriate CAPA.
- Lead and perform internal and external audit programs, including vendors and suppliers’ audits, to assess compliance with GSK standards and regulatory expectations.
- Accountable to develop and maintain the Supplier Management Process.
- Accountable document system management and oversight.
- Accountable for the Quality council process.
- Ensure the Quality council process effectively drives the improvements and compliance on site.
- Responsible for managing site Quality governance processes and compliance activities including but not limited to Periodic product reviews, Internal Quality Audits (IQA) / Data Review Assessments (DRAs), compliance metrics, Quality Regulatory Intelligence, Stability, Supplier Quality management and Complaints oversight.
- Manage Quality Risk Model (QRM), review trends for all risk elements and identify improvement actions.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across quality systems, processes, and culture to enhance compliance and operational efficiency.
- The role ensures Quality product life cycle management and medical device compliance.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline; advanced degree preferred.
- Significant experience within commercial pharmaceutical manufacturing environments, with strong exposure to GMP‑regulated operations and quality systems.
- Demonstrated expertise in Product Lifecycle Compliance Management, including oversight of compliance strategies across product development, commercialization, and post‑market activities.
- Proven experience leading Quality Compliance programs, including deviation management, CAPA effectiveness, audit readiness, inspection support, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Deep working knowledge of global regulatory and compliance requirements, including current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), U.S. FDA regulations, ICH Guidelines (Q8, Q9, Q10, Q11), WHO standards, EudraLex, EEU regulations, and other international/Rest‑of‑World requirements.
- Strong leadership experience managing and developing high‑performing quality or compliance teams (approximately 6–8 direct reports), with a demonstrated ability to set clear priorities, drive accountability, develop talent, and lead through change and ambiguity.
Preferred Qualifications
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across multidisciplinary functions including Operations, Engineering, Validation, Supply Chain, Production, QC, Finance, and EHS.
- Strong decision‑making and prioritization skills, with the ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage competing business‑critical priorities.
- Proven success leading change management initiatives within complex pharmaceutical or highly regulated environments.
- Strong analytical and strategic problem‑solving capabilities, with the ability to leverage data and metrics to support risk‑based decisions and continuous improvement.
- Highly adaptable and collaborative leadership style, with demonstrated success working across global, diverse, and cross‑functional teams.
Closing Date for Applications – 24th May 2026 EOD
Work Arrangements: This role offers an on‑site (weekly 5 days) working model at Ware, Hertfordshire, UK. Remote or fully home‑working arrangements are not available for this 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.
Quality Compliance Director employer: GlaxoSmithKline
GSK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Ware, Hertfordshire, where innovation and quality are at the forefront of our mission to improve global health. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our supportive culture that encourages continuous learning and development, alongside competitive benefits that promote work-life balance. Join us in making a meaningful impact on patients' lives while being part of a diverse team dedicated to excellence in compliance and quality management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Compliance Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the pharmaceutical industry, especially those who work at GSK or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into GSK's values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their mission of improving global health.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering competency questions. We want to hear about your past experiences in quality compliance and how you've tackled challenges. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in the interviewer's mind and show us that you’re enthusiastic about the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Compliance Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in quality compliance and regulatory standards. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Quality Compliance Director, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant skills!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your expertise in managing compliance and quality systems. Use metrics where possible to illustrate your impact – numbers speak volumes!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and make sure your passion for quality compliance shines through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at GlaxoSmithKline
✨Know Your Regulations
Familiarise yourself with the latest regulatory requirements from agencies like the FDA, EMA, and WHO. Being able to discuss how these regulations impact quality compliance will show your depth of knowledge and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading quality compliance teams. Discuss how you've driven accountability and developed talent in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Quality Compliance Director position.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical compliance issues or lead a team through a regulatory inspection. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills effectively.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Share specific instances where you've implemented continuous improvement initiatives in quality systems. Highlighting your analytical and strategic problem-solving capabilities will resonate well with the interviewers.