Capability Director, Chief Medical Officer Organisation
Posted Date: Nov 3 2025
Site Name: UK – London – New Oxford Street, USA - Pennsylvania - Upper Providence
Business Introduction
At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting‑edge technology to transform people’s lives. 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.
Position Summary
The role of Director Development Capability is a critical new role in the CMO Transformation Operations team. In this senior role you will act as a trusted and credible matrix leader to the existing capability network across CMO providing a critical fulcrum to connect and propel the in‑function capability network to anticipate, support and drive a pan CMO approach to capability development rooted in the foundation of continual improvement, organisational and personal capability development.
You will be accountable to drive connection across the capability network and with broader R&D capability activities in a matrix approach, identifying commonalities to elevate and progress across CMO to deliver a holistic and connected capability building approach with effective learning and development strategies, whilst not undermining the functional accountability for strategic capability build.
Key Responsibilities
- In partnership with and providing matrix leadership to the CMO capability network, consolidate and maintain a pan CMO capability development plan. Develop and implement opportunities for pan CMO coordinated action on capability build plans for identified needs across multiple functions to maximise impact, desired outcomes, and utility.
- Design and implement large‑scale capability programmes that align with the overall strategic direction of the CMO organisation, building a resilient and future‑ready workforce, equipped to respond proactively to evolving business and industry demands.
- Establish and lead a mechanism to periodically drive gap analysis and assessment of organisational capability needs – utilizing key performance indicators and feedback as a means of assessment. This should include intelligence gathering of future regulatory and industry trends that will inform the future required capability profiles across CMO.
- Champion the deployment of consistent strategic capability frameworks and develop associated assessment processes (tools/mechanism) to allow individual and organisational assessment of capability strengths and areas for focus.
- Ensure a consistent framework for reporting and appropriate rolled‑up metrics to facilitate informed functional and pan CMO review by leadership teams.
- Collaborate with R&D Organisational Development and Capability, R&D Quality and, if appropriate, external learning vendors to consolidate and maximise efficiencies and impact, standardise approach, priorities, and areas for possible synergies across CMO.
- Actively partner with HR and global learning functions to employ adult learning principles and leverage enterprise‑wide approaches (e.g. leadership and coaching frameworks).
- Ensure the deployment, visibility, and communication across CMO of effective learning methods e.g. Degreed, Career Hub, LinkedIn Learning, bite‑size learning.
- Ensure the embedding of effective knowledge management by championing an open learning culture that identifies and communicates key learnings within and across functions – these learnings should be aligned to organisational objectives.
Qualifications / Skills
Basic:
- Bachelors’ Degree (Scientific Discipline) or equivalent.
- Significant track record and experience in the development and delivery of training and capability building, particularly in highly technical or science‑based fields.
- Previous experience in adult technical learning/training design, delivery and evaluation.
- Proven strategic & enterprise thinking with strong business acumen.
- A track record in leading a global project or function where people are challenged and developed and where capability development is seen as a core competency for the future sustained performance of the group.
- Proven leadership operating in a matrix environment, ability to constructively challenge practices with senior leaders; possess negotiation skills and ability to influence with or without authority at all levels of the organisation.
- Experience working independently with senior executives and the ability to quickly build personal credibility and assimilate business issues/need.
- Highly effective verbal, written, presentation communications skills.
- Ability to work on‑site, with flexibility for hybrid working.
Preferred:
- Masters or PhD (Scientific, Quality, Education/Learning or business discipline) or equivalent.
- Relevant learning, OD certification or coaching certification.
- Familiarity with digital tools and platforms for learning and development.
- Experience of working in R&D in the pharmaceutical industry.
Benefits & Working Model
This role offers a hybrid working model, combining on‑site collaboration with remote flexibility.
Why GSK?
Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.
Equal Opportunity Employment
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.
Contact & Support
Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities, contact us at UKRecruitment.Adjustments@gsk.com or 0808 234 4391. The helpline is available from 8.30 am to 12.00 pm Monday to Friday, during bank holidays these times and days may vary.
Additional Information
GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK\'s commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorisation before referring any candidates to GSK.
For those who are US licensed healthcare professionals, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses incurred on your behalf during the interview process. Refer to the CMS website for more information.
