Senior Finance Partner Translational & Developmental Sciences
Senior Finance Partner Translational & Developmental Sciences

Senior Finance Partner Translational & Developmental Sciences

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
GlaxoSmithKline

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial strategy for innovative R&D projects and drive impactful decisions.
  • Company: Join GSK, a global biopharma leader dedicated to improving health worldwide.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and high performance.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of healthcare while working with cutting-edge science and technology.
  • Qualifications: Finance degree or equivalent experience; strong analytical and strategic skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.

The Senior Finance Partner will provide financial leadership to the newly established Translation & Developmental Science ("TDS") organisation in R&D, partnering with three R&D senior leaders across Translation Sciences, Developmental Sciences and Asia R&D, including the new Translational Hub. TDS integrates translational science, development sciences, human biology, and real‑world data to accelerate and de‑risk pipeline decisions. It provides decision‑shaping insight across discovery and development to improve the probability of technical success, optimise portfolio allocation and speed medicines to patients.

The Senior Finance Partner is a senior, independent business partner providing strategic financial leadership, insight, and challenge to TDS. As the primary finance interface for senior stakeholders, the role shapes strategy and investment choices, drives R&D productivity and resource allocation, and ensures disciplined financial stewardship to maximise value creation in line with GSK’s strategy and priorities. Operating with a high degree of autonomy and judgement, the role partners closely with business leaders to frame the critical questions, quantify trade‑offs, and guide decisions across the full strategy, planning and delivery lifecycle—balancing scientific ambition, delivery feasibility and financial value.

Key responsibilities

  • Strategic Finance Partnering
    • Act as the lead Senior Finance Partner for TDS, providing forward‑looking financial leadership, insight, and constructive challenge to senior business stakeholders to shape priorities and portfolio choices.
    • Influence strategic choices by translating complex financial and operational data into clear, decision‑oriented insights—including value, opportunity cost, timing, and risk.
    • Partner across Finance, Commercial, R&D, Manufacturing, Portfolio and Corporate functions to ensure enterprise alignment, coherent narratives, and transparent trade‑offs in value and data‑based decisions.
    • Provide finance leadership for the Translational Hub, including resource model and ramp‑up plan, and ongoing performance insights to ensure productivity and value delivery.
  • Investment, Business Cases & R&D Productivity
    • Lead the financial evaluation of investments, business cases, and scenarios with a portfolio lens, ensuring assumptions are robust, risks are understood, and trade‑offs/opportunity costs are explicit.
    • Partner with TDS leaders to define, measure, and improve R&D productivity (e.g., resource utilisation, throughput, cycle times, cost to deliver, and value per FTE), using insight to drive prioritisation, stop/start decisions, and reinvestment.
    • Ensure financial commitments and expected benefits are clearly articulated, tracked, and communicated in real time, enabling course‑correction and value realisation.
  • Planning, Forecasting & Performance Management
    • Own and lead planning, budgeting, and forecasting for the area of responsibility, translating strategy into resourcing and financial plans while balancing robustness with pragmatism.
    • Drive performance management through root‑cause and driver analysis, leading indicators, and forward‑looking outlooks—linking insights to clear actions and decisions.
    • Provide stakeholders with an integrated view of performance, future risks and opportunities, and practical options to protect or enhance value.
  • Financial Stewardship & Reporting
    • Be accountable for the integrity, accuracy, and transparency of financial reporting, forecasts, and valuations—ensuring decision makers have a trusted fact base.
    • Maintain strong control and compliance standards—applying pragmatic risk management and fit‑for‑purpose processes that enable pace while protecting value and reputation in line with GSK policies and Finance Ways of Working.
    • Understand balance sheet, P&L, and cash flow impacts of strategic choices, including capital allocation implications, valuation sensitivities, and risk of impairments where relevant.
  • Value Creation & Continuous Improvement
    • Lead identification of opportunities to optimise spend, improve productivity, and reallocate resources to the highest‑value priorities; quantify benefits and track delivery.
    • Champion continuous improvement, simplification, and automation of finance insights and processes (including analytics and self‑serve reporting), enabling Finance to focus on higher‑value strategic work.
  • Leadership & Collaboration
    • Build strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders through credibility, curiosity and strategic storytelling; influence without authority to drive alignment and action.
    • Line manager responsibilities for a small team, focused on coaching, capability building, and building a high‑performing culture.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting (or qualified by experience).
  • Experience as a Finance Partner in a business unit environment – ideally in R&D.
  • Track record of driving sound business decision making in relation to complex problems based on robust, impartial financial analysis.
  • Track record of setting and delivering financial plans.
  • Strong skills in modelling, analysis, forecasting, strategic / scenario planning, and decision making. Some project management skills.
  • Understanding of financial systems and processes (e.g., SAP, CERPS, SAC).
  • Ability to work in a complex and fast‑moving environment with multiple priorities.
  • Ability to connect with and influence business stakeholders at all levels in a technical environment and to establish a high level of credibility with senior internal and third‑party stakeholders.

Why GSK?

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale. People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Senior Finance Partner Translational & Developmental Sciences employer: GlaxoSmithKline

GSK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Senior Finance Partner in the Translational & Developmental Sciences team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping strategic financial decisions that directly impact patient health outcomes. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a culture of accountability, and a focus on making a meaningful difference in global health, GSK provides a unique opportunity for professionals seeking to advance their careers while contributing to life-changing advancements in medicine.
GlaxoSmithKline

Contact Detail:

GlaxoSmithKline Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Partner Translational & Developmental Sciences

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the 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 researching the company and its culture. Understand GSK's mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in finance and R&D. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them memorable.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Partner Translational & Developmental Sciences

Financial Leadership
Strategic Finance Partnering
Investment Evaluation
Business Case Development
R&D Productivity Measurement
Planning and Budgeting
Forecasting
Performance Management
Financial Reporting
Risk Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Financial Modelling
Analytical Skills
Communication Skills
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in finance, especially in R&D. We want to see how your skills align with the Senior Finance Partner role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!

Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, emphasise your ability to provide strategic financial leadership. Use examples that demonstrate how you've influenced decision-making and shaped priorities in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can think critically and drive results!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly understand your qualifications and fit for the role.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.

How to prepare for a job interview at GlaxoSmithKline

✨Know Your Financial Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your financial knowledge, especially in areas like forecasting, budgeting, and investment evaluation. Be ready to discuss how you've used financial data to influence strategic decisions in the past.

✨Understand the R&D Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the translational and developmental sciences landscape. Knowing how finance interacts with R&D will help you articulate your insights and demonstrate your ability to partner effectively with senior stakeholders.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that ask you to evaluate complex scenarios or trade-offs. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, showing how you would approach financial challenges and decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

✨Build Relationships

Think about how you can establish credibility and trust with senior leaders. Prepare examples of how you've influenced stakeholders in previous roles, and be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and leadership.

Senior Finance Partner Translational & Developmental Sciences
GlaxoSmithKline

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