Director, Portfolio Decision Sciences
Director, Portfolio Decision Sciences

Director, Portfolio Decision Sciences

Full-Time 54000 - 84000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic decision-making in Oncology R&D, guiding project teams through complex evaluations.
  • Company: Join GSK, a global biopharma leader dedicated to advancing health through innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a flexible work culture, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare by shaping critical investment decisions in drug development.
  • Qualifications: PhD or advanced degree preferred; strong R&D experience and excellent communication skills required.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and career advancement.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.

GSK is seeking a highly skilled and visionary Director, Portfolio Decision Sciences to partner with the Head, Portfolio Decision Sciences, Oncology in supporting GSK’s Oncology and broader Pharmaceutical portfolio across the entire R&D lifecycle – from preclinical research through late‑stage clinical development. In this influential role, you will work directly with project teams and governance boards to evaluate investment opportunities in areas of high uncertainty and limited data. You will play a pivotal part in guiding technical progression and investment decisions through systematic risk assessment, probabilistic evaluation, and rigorous economic analysis (e.g., ROI, NPV). Your insights will inform key decision‑making bodies including the Portfolio Investment Board (PIB), Development Review Board (DRB) and Research Unit Investment Boards. You will shape strategically differentiated options, drive challenging conversations with senior leaders, and leverage cutting‑edge data and technology trends to enable high‑quality portfolio decision making.

The ideal candidate is an intellectually curious portfolio expert with deep R&D experience, a passion for innovation, and the ability to navigate and influence broadly across the Oncology and R&D ecosystems at GSK.

Responsibilities

  • Guiding project teams across the R&D lifecycle (including BD opportunities) using strategic decision frameworks, probability‑of‑success elicitation, and economic evaluations (ROI, NPV), facilitating decision making and generating project‑ and portfolio‑level insights.
  • Delivering objective project assessments for R&D investment decisions at Research Unit governance bodies, and the Portfolio Investment Board (PIB).
  • Providing clear, rigorous recommendations to governance chairs based on detailed value‑risk analyses, option evaluations, resource considerations, and risk‑discharge points.
  • Leading portfolio‑ or indication‑level assessments to inform senior leaders on prioritisation decisions across scientific, commercial, operational, strategic and financial dimensions.
  • Supporting the biannual dynamic Portfolio Review (dPR) for Oncology, ensuring refreshed project assessments and surfacing emerging investment opportunities.
  • Collaborating across finance, portfolio management, strategy, operations, and Research Units to recommend short‑ and long‑term focus areas and enable optimal resource deployment.
  • Driving portfolio management excellence by monitoring the external environment, evaluating innovative portfolio approaches, and proposing use cases applicable to GSK.
  • Enhancing the development and deployment of advanced analytics, including AI and machine learning, to elevate decision‑making quality across teams and senior leadership.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Science or Business. PhD, MD, or advanced scientific/decision sciences degree preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, or related industries.
  • Strong understanding of R&D processes, ideally with experience supporting or leading drug‑development teams.
  • Proven track record of independently delivering complex projects.
  • Experience navigating cross‑functional teams and enabling change.
  • High learning agility; ability to facilitate complex scientific, technical, value, and resourcing discussions.
  • Ability to translate detailed scientific and technical insights into concise, impactful recommendations.
  • Strong relationship‑building skills to become a trusted strategic partner to project teams and senior leaders.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and fast‑paced decision cycles.

Closing Date for Applications – 10 February 2026 (EOD)

Why GSK? Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. 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.

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, Portfolio Decision Sciences employer: Gsk

GSK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London, where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, GSK provides ample opportunities for professional development and encourages a culture of agility and flexibility, ensuring that every team member can contribute meaningfully to advancing healthcare solutions. Join us to be part of a purpose-driven organisation dedicated to making a positive impact on global health while fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace.
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Contact Detail:

Gsk Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Portfolio Decision Sciences

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at GSK or in similar roles. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could set you apart.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into GSK’s recent projects and innovations in oncology. Show us you’re not just familiar with the role but genuinely excited about what we do!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled complex projects or made tough decisions. We love hearing about your journey and how it aligns with our mission.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Portfolio Decision Sciences

Strategic Decision Frameworks
Probability-of-Success Elicitation
Economic Evaluations (ROI, NPV)
Project Assessment
Value-Risk Analysis
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Advanced Analytics
AI and Machine Learning
Pharmaceutical R&D Processes
Complex Project Management
Relationship-Building Skills
Learning Agility
Technical Insight Translation
Influencing Senior Leaders

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your cover letter for the Director, Portfolio Decision Sciences role. Highlight your relevant experience in R&D and decision sciences, and show us how you can contribute to GSK's mission in oncology.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your CV, emphasise your ability to conduct rigorous economic analyses like ROI and NPV. We want to see how you've used these skills in past roles to drive impactful decisions.

Be Clear and Concise: When describing your experiences, keep it straightforward. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your achievements and how they relate to the job requirements.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! This ensures that we receive all your details correctly and can assess your application efficiently.

How to prepare for a job interview at Gsk

✨Know Your R&D Inside Out

Make sure you have a solid understanding of the R&D lifecycle, especially in oncology. Brush up on key concepts like ROI and NPV, as you'll need to discuss these during your interview. Familiarise yourself with GSK's recent projects and how they align with your expertise.

✨Prepare for Technical Discussions

Expect to dive deep into technical discussions about portfolio management and decision-making frameworks. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated complex scientific and economic evaluations. This will showcase your ability to contribute meaningfully to GSK's goals.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Director, you'll be expected to lead and influence cross-functional teams. Prepare to discuss how you've previously driven challenging conversations with senior leaders and facilitated decision-making processes. Highlight your relationship-building skills and how they’ve helped you become a trusted partner.

✨Stay Current with Industry Trends

GSK values innovation, so demonstrate your knowledge of cutting-edge data and technology trends, particularly in AI and machine learning. Discuss how you can leverage these advancements to enhance decision-making quality within the portfolio management space. This shows you're not just experienced but also forward-thinking.

Director, Portfolio Decision Sciences
Gsk

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