Executive Director - Target Discovery Portfolio Strategy

Job Title: Head of Target Discovery Portfolio Strategy

Company Overview: At GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) we are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by leveraging scientific advancements to develop better medicines with reduced attrition. Through our Head of Target Discovery Portfolio Strategy role, we will maximise delivery of new targets into the GSK portfolio at scale, driving innovation and excellence across our R&D landscape.

Job Purpose: We are looking for a driven, strategic leader overseeing the management and execution of the Target Discovery portfolio within the GSK drug discovery pipeline. This role is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our target identification efforts, supporting the development of innovative treatments across key therapeutic areas, including oncology, respiratory, and immunology.
As a core member of the Target Discovery Leadership Team, this role will drive portfolio strategy, decision-making, and prioritization to optimize research investments and accelerate the discovery of new medicines. Working closely with cross-functional teams across GSK to ensure alignment between research priorities and long-term strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the SVP of Target Discovery, analysing business challenges, identifying opportunities, and driving actionable solutions.
2. Maintain a big-picture view of the Target Discovery portfolio, ensuring a strategic, data-driven approach to real-time early portfolio prioritization and resource allocation.
3. Partner with Research Unit leaders to drive target identification efforts, ensure alignment with GSK’s broader R&D strategy and business objectives, driving an enterprise level view of the early discovery pipeline.
4. Implement a comprehensive early portfolio management strategy, integrating both internal and external research perspectives to optimize decision-making.
5. Develop systems to connect portfolio, project, and scientific data, translating it into insights that enhance transparency, communication, and execution across the organisation.
6. Working closely with technology groups across Research Technologies, and the Research Units, identify and proactively manage portfolio risks, implementing mitigation strategies to ensure timely progress.
7. Translate organisational vision and strategy into actionable plans and deliverables for teams to execute.
8. Lead execution of key strategic initiatives, with a focus on value delivery, efficiency, and performance optimization.
9. Provide expertise in program and portfolio management, ensuring best practices and continuous improvement in project execution and governance.
10. Collaborates with Finance to ensure optimal allocation of resources, including budget, personnel and infrastructure to support the Target Discovery portfolio.
11. Fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the early portfolio arena.
12. Collaborates with senior leadership to provide regular updates on Target Discovery portfolio performance, key milestones and strategic recommendations.

Basic Qualifications:

1. PhD in Life Sciences or a related field.
2. Extensive career in the drug discovery industry, with significant leadership experience in portfolio management within an early drug discovery portfolio setting.
3. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, prioritize research efforts, and drive portfolio decision-making in a highly matrixed environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with a track record of shaping research portfolios for maximum impact.
2. Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple initiatives and shifting priorities.
3. Highly effective interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across scientific, business, and executive teams.
4. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize data from multiple sources and communicate insights effectively at all levels of the organization.
5. Demonstrated ability to navigate complex business challenges, influence decision-making, and drive execution.
6. Results-driven mindset, with a passion for accelerating the development of new medicines to improve patient outcomes.

#J-18808-Ljbffr