At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic technology transformation in R&D, connecting teams and driving innovation.
- Company: Join GSK, a global biopharma leader committed to improving health for billions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, healthcare, and flexible hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration across diverse teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare by shaping cutting-edge technology initiatives.
- Qualifications: Degree in tech or life sciences; experience in strategic technology roles required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We create a place where people can grow, be their best, be safe, and feel welcome, valued and included. We offer a competitive salary, an annual bonus based on company performance, healthcare and wellbeing programmes, pension plan membership, and shares and savings programme. We embrace modern work practices; our Performance with Choice programme offers a hybrid working model, empowering you to find the optimal balance between remote and in-office work.
R&D Tech Transformation & Operations connects strategy, investment and delivery across priority R&D technology programmes. The team works with scientific, technology and business leaders to strengthen decisions, accelerate value and support consistent adoption across R&D. This role strengthens a portfolio of priority R&D technology programmes by connecting programme teams with R&D technology strategy and investment decisions. You will work closely with selected programmes, bringing constructive challenge, strategic support, and external market insight. You will help teams frame choices, define value and address barriers without taking accountability away from programme owners.
We expect to appoint two Senior Directors through this recruitment, with complementary experience across research and drug development technology. For candidates seeking to be located at our Stevenage site, this role will temporarily be based at Stevenage. However, the Company plans to relocate its offices to Cambridge, UK. The location of this role will therefore subsequently change to Cambridge, UK in accordance with timelines to be set by the Company. The relocation is currently proposed to take effect by early 2029.
In this role you will:
- Partner with leaders of selected priority technology programmes to clarify strategy, scope, value objectives, roadmaps and organisational needs.
- Provide an independent, evidence-based view of programme progress, risks and value delivery to support Technology Investment Board decisions.
- Apply a high-challenge, high-support approach, bringing transparency while helping teams solve strategic problems and remove barriers.
- Lead focused work on questions such as build, buy or partner choices, capability sourcing, operating models and external technology landscapes.
- Assess which capabilities could create competitive advantage and which can be sourced effectively from external partners.
- Help shape new technology initiatives, including their business case, funding approach, value definition, governance and delivery model.
- Connect learning across programmes, identify opportunities for reuse and reduce unnecessary duplication of technology capabilities.
- Build trusted relationships with senior scientific, technology and business leaders, influencing decisions without direct authority.
- Translate between scientific, operational and technical stakeholders so that complex choices become clear and actionable.
- Contribute directly to strategic projects related to the wider portfolio while programme delivery accountability remains with programme owners.
Basic qualifications
We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:
- Degree or equivalent experience in technology, computer science, life sciences, engineering, business or a related discipline.
- Significant experience leading strategic technology, AI or digital transformation work in a large pharmaceutical environment.
- Strong knowledge of drug research or development and the ability to work credibly with scientific, operational and technology leaders.
- Demonstrated experience shaping and delivering cross-functional strategic projects in complex organisations.
- Experience evaluating technology capabilities, operating models, partnerships or build-versus-buy decisions.
- Ability to use structured analysis to develop recommendations and support implementation.
- Executive-level communication and influencing skills, including confidence working with Vice Presidents and other senior leaders.
- Evidence of hands-on contribution, sound judgement and effective delivery in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
Please note the following skills are not necessary, just preferred, if you do not have them, please still apply:
- Experience in management consulting, particularly strategy, technology or life sciences consulting.
- Experience moving from consulting into pharmaceutical, biotechnology or life-sciences technology roles.
- Knowledge of AI-enabled research or development solutions, clinical development technology, regulatory technology, data platforms or scientific technology.
- Product, portfolio or investment experience within pharmaceutical R&D, biotechnology, a contract research organisation or a life-sciences technology company.
- Experience working with external vendors, technology partners or innovation ecosystems.
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.
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.
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 Director, R&D AI & Technology Transformation in London employer: GSK
GSK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Stevenage. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to extensive development opportunities while working on groundbreaking medicine projects. The hybrid work model and future relocation to Cambridge provide a unique advantage, ensuring a vibrant environment for both personal and professional advancement.
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We think this is how you could land Senior Director, R&D AI & Technology Transformation in London
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Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like GSK.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, R&D AI & Technology Transformation in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at GSK!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show GSK that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at GSK!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At GSK, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at GSK
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at GSK that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with GSK’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
