At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives to drive innovation and performance in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Company: Join GSK, a leader in vaccines and infectious diseases research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, health insurance, retirement plans, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping strategies that enhance global health outcomes.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree and 10+ years in strategy or consultancy roles required.
The Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Research Unit (VIDRU) Business Programs Strategy Director is accountable for translating vision and priorities into coherent enterprise-wide programs, ensuring strategic initiatives are prioritized, integrated, and executed to deliver measurable business value. Through data-driven insight, cross-functional collaboration, and effective governance, the VIDRU Business Programs Strategy Director enables informed decision-making and supports sustainable growth and performance in line with GSK’s goals for Innovation, Trust, and Performance. The ideal candidate will bring substantial strategic thinking, business acumen, and an enterprise mindset to build effective engagement with senior leaders and executive stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Translate VIDRU vision into strategy through an integrated set of programs and initiatives, ensuring they deliver intended strategic outcomes and business value.
- Synthesize inputs across functions into clear, enterprise-level recommendations, even where trade-offs are complex or contentious.
- Build strategic capability across VIDRU by partnering with leaders to frame priorities, assess trade-offs, and manage portfolios, strengthening enterprise thinking and decision quality.
- Lead enterprise-level strategic planning cycles, including framing choices, facilitating leadership discussions, and synthesizing decisions.
- Lead cross-functional matrix teams of Senior Leaders.
- Establish governance structures for key strategic programs (steering committees, decision forums, cadence, and standards).
- Use data and insight (financial, operational, market) to inform strategic choices and track performance against company goals.
- Develop high-quality strategic narratives, papers, and presentations for VIDRU Leadership Team, executive, and Board-level audiences.
- Identify strategic risks, dependencies, and issues across programs.
- Provide leadership and direction to direct reports and program/project teams.
- Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure effective communication throughout the organization.
- Monitor external trends, competitive moves, and internal performance to propose strategic adjustments and new opportunities.
- Coach and influence cross-functional teams to shape strategy and ensure enterprise mindset.
- Partner with the VIDRU Change Management Director and the VIDRU Business Programs Delivery Director to ensure successful adoption of transformation initiatives.
Basic Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Science, Engineering or Business Administration/Management.
- 10 or more years of proven experience in consultancy, strategy teams or relevant leadership roles.
- Experience in strategy definition of large-scale transformation within the pharmaceutical or life sciences R&D industry.
- Experience leading functional and cross-functional matrix teams.
- Experience working directly with senior leaders, including preparing and delivering high-impact presentations and strategic papers.
- Experience managing and coaching cross-functional teams; able to influence without direct authority.
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA or PhD in Science, Engineering or Business Administration/Management.
- Strong strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to translate vision and data into clear choices, plans, and priorities.
- Strong leadership skills to inspire and motivate teams of Senior Leaders through strategy definition, including the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable with quantitative analysis, financial modelling, and scenario planning.
- Strong change leadership skills, including senior stakeholder engagement and driving adoption across functions and geographies.
- Familiarity with common strategic and operational frameworks (e.g., market/competitive analysis, value creation levers, operating model design).
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively convey the vision, goals, and progress of transformation projects to stakeholders, including presentation to executives and board members.
- Strong analytical skills to assess vision statements and translate them into opportunities and anticipate future benefits of transformation initiatives.
- Ability to think critically and creatively to solve complex problems and overcome obstacles.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and evolving business environments, including managing high-complexity/uncertainty situations and openness to new ideas and approaches.
Benefits
Annual base salary for new hires ranges from $170,775 to $284,625, depending on location within the U.S. market. The role offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in a share-based long-term incentive program. Available benefits include health care and other insurance (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, paid caregiver/parental leave, and medical leave.
What Success Looks Like
You will translate VIDRU strategy into clear plans and measurable results, reduce friction across teams, accelerate decision making, and help leaders adopt better ways of working. Success means delivered benefits, trusted stakeholder relationships, and visible improvements in performance.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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.
VIDRU Business Programs Strategy Director in London employer: Gsk
GSK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. As the VIDRU Business Programs Strategy Director, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative initiatives that drive meaningful change in the pharmaceutical industry, supported by a robust benefits package including competitive salary, bonuses, and comprehensive health care. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, GSK fosters a culture of trust and performance, ensuring that every team member can contribute to and benefit from the company's success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VIDRU Business Programs Strategy Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to refine your answers. Focus on articulating your strategic thinking and leadership skills, as these are key for roles like the Business Programs Strategy Director.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace VIDRU Business Programs Strategy Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the VIDRU Business Programs Strategy Director role. Highlight your strategic thinking and leadership experience, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver business value. Use metrics and examples that illustrate how you've successfully led cross-functional teams or managed strategic initiatives.
Be Clear and Concise:In your written application, clarity is crucial. Avoid jargon and ensure your narrative flows logically. We want to see how you can communicate complex ideas simply, just like you would in high-impact presentations to senior leaders.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures it gets to the right people and shows us you're serious about joining the StudySmarter team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gsk
✨Know Your Strategic Vision
Before the interview, make sure you fully understand the strategic vision of VIDRU and how it aligns with GSK’s goals. Be prepared to discuss how your experience can translate that vision into actionable programmes and initiatives.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading cross-functional teams and engaging with senior leaders. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to influence without direct authority and how you've successfully navigated complex stakeholder relationships.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to discuss how you’ve used data and insights to inform strategic choices in your previous roles. Bring specific examples of how your analytical skills have led to measurable business value and improved performance.
✨Prepare High-Impact Presentations
Since the role involves preparing strategic papers and presentations for executive audiences, practice delivering concise and impactful narratives. Tailor your examples to show how you can effectively communicate complex ideas to diverse stakeholders.
