At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global connectivity architecture and ensure secure, resilient outcomes for innovative health solutions.
- Company: Join GSK, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to improving global health.
- Benefits: Flexible working culture, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values ambition, accountability, and doing the right thing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global health while shaping the future of connectivity in healthcare.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in enterprise architecture and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
This job is with GSK, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. 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.
Position Summary
The Director, Connectivity Architecture is GSK's Principal Architect and Design Authority for global connectivity platforms. The role defines, governs and evolves the target‑state connectivity architecture, ensuring major initiatives deliver affordable, secure, resilient, observable and operable outcomes that enable us to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. This position provides leadership through architectural authority, standards and governance. It sets the standards for WAN/SD‑WAN, campus LAN/Wi‑Fi, cloud and data centre connectivity, DDI (DNS/DHCP/IPAM), firewalling and Zero Trust access, enabling consistent, scalable delivery across a global, regulated enterprise.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own the enterprise connectivity architecture vision, principles and target state aligned to business strategy, security requirements and the digital roadmap.
- Define and maintain global connectivity standards, reference architectures and design patterns across WAN/SD‑WAN, LAN/Wi‑Fi, cloud connectivity, DDI, firewalling and Zero Trust access.
- Act as the authoritative Design Authority for material connectivity decisions - chair architecture reviews, approve high‑impact designs and manage deviations with clear guardrails.
- Embed 'security by design' and segmentation principles into all connectivity designs, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity and regulated environment requirements.
- Define architecture roadmaps that drive simplification, automation, lifecycle management, end‑of‑life remediation and platform standardisation.
- Own non‑functional requirements (NFRs) for operability, observability, resilience, performance and automation, ensuring they are testable and built into delivery templates.
- Provide architectural leadership into RFPs/vendor selection and solution validation; ensure supplier designs adhere to enterprise standards and long‑term value objectives.
- Partner with Operations/SRE to ensure architectures are operationally fit, measurable (telemetry‑first) and supported by clear runbooks and service models.
- Support investment decisions by articulating architectural trade‑offs across cost, risk, resilience, scalability and automation.
- Translate complex architectural decisions into clear, actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders and executive forums.
Why you!
You are a true enterprise architect and design authority, with the credibility to define and govern connectivity at a global scale. What sets you apart is your ability to balance architecture with real-world delivery - making the right trade-offs across cost, risk and resilience, while ensuring security is embedded by design.
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.
Director, Connectivity Architecture (Principal Design Authority) employer: Gsk
GSK is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of inclusivity and ambition, empowering employees to make a meaningful impact on global health. With a commitment to innovation and professional growth, GSK offers robust career development opportunities and a flexible working environment, ensuring that every team member can thrive while contributing to groundbreaking advancements in healthcare. Located in a dynamic setting, GSK provides the unique advantage of being at the forefront of scientific excellence, where your expertise in connectivity architecture will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of patient care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Connectivity Architecture (Principal Design Authority)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching GSK's values and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Director, Connectivity Architecture. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people at GSK.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Connectivity Architecture (Principal Design Authority)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director, Connectivity Architecture role. Highlight your experience in enterprise architecture and how it aligns with GSK's goals. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of improving health globally!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Principal Design Authority, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Use your application to share examples of how you've led architectural initiatives or teams in the past. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and guide others!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Avoid jargon and make sure your points are easy to understand. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that your application is processed correctly and gives you the best chance to shine. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gsk
✨Know Your Architecture Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into GSK's connectivity architecture and their strategic goals. Familiarise yourself with their current projects and how your expertise can align with their vision. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their ambitious targets.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions that assess your understanding of WAN/SD-WAN, LAN/Wi-Fi, and Zero Trust access. Brush up on these topics and be ready to discuss real-world scenarios where you've successfully implemented similar architectures. Use specific examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and architectural decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director, you'll need to exhibit strong leadership qualities. Prepare to discuss your experience in leading architectural reviews and managing teams. Highlight instances where you've made impactful decisions and how you've navigated challenges while ensuring compliance with security standards.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about GSK's future connectivity initiatives or how they measure success in their architectural strategies. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career aspirations.
