CPO Capability Director

GSK; Irvine; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

GSK is seeking a CPO Capability Director to lead end‑to‑end capability programs across Medical Affairs, translating complex strategy into clear narratives for senior stakeholders. The role requires rapid synthesis of information, global collaboration, and a track record of transformational leadership within pharma.

Based in GSK UK HQ or New Oxford Street, with potential USA alternative, you will partner with diverse teams to elevate capability initiatives, drive innovation and improve learner

Qualifications

• PhD/MD or PharmD qualification.
• Extensive experience in a pharmaceutical environment.
• Strong understanding of medical functions and medical affairs activities.
• Experience working closely with Medical Affairs teams to shape strategy, build capabilities and enhance ways of working.
• Proven track record in a leadership role, including leading teams or cross‑functional initiatives.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including strategic storytelling and presenting to senior and executive stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information quickly and provide clear, structured insight.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Narrative Development – Lead all phases of capability program development with a strong emphasis on clear, strategic narratives for senior audiences.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration – Partner with senior stakeholders to develop bespoke capability programs with concise materials for decision‑making.
• Program Development, Prioritisation & Resource Optimisation – Assess needs, prioritise initiatives and allocate resources effectively.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement – Assess external trends and measure program impact to drive ongoing refinement.

Skills

Cross‑Functional Leadership

Digital Fluency

Enterprise Thinking

High Impact Communication

Launch Excellence

Patient Impact

Education

PhD/MD/PharmD

MBA or equivalent (preferred)

Job description

CPO Capability Director Locations:GSK HQ UK, New Oxford Street or USA PA - Upper Providence/ Durham Reporting to: Sr. Director, Business Performance and Operations

The CPO organisation partners closely with R&D and Commercial to translate cutting‑edge science into measurable health outcomes, grounded in the patient voice and external insights from healthcare systems and decision‑makers worldwide. Joining CPO means working across the full product lifecycle and collaborating with diverse expert teams – from Patients & External Environment and Medical Planning to Data Generation, Scientific Communications, Medical Impact, Proactive Risk Ownership and Integrated Evidence Strategy – to ensure robust evidence, clear medical insight and responsible risk ownership shape strategy and execution at scale. It’s a highly visible, purpose‑driven environment where your expertise can directly influence how innovative therapies are developed, communicated and used to improve lives around the world.

The Capability Director leads the end‑to‑end development and evolution of Medical Affairs capability programs that enable delivery of CPO priorities. This role requires exceptional strategic thinking, the ability to rapidly synthesize complex information, and the skill to translate information into clear, compelling narratives and materials that influence decision‑making across senior stakeholders. Through deep partnership and collaboration across global and local teams, the Capability Director ensures capability initiatives are relevant, pragmatic, and embedded into Medical Affairs ways of working. The role champions continuous improvement, drives innovation, and enhances the learner experience to accelerate skill development and elevate organisational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Narrative Development – Lead all phases of capability program development—including needs assessment, program design, execution, and embedding—with a strong emphasis on creating clear, strategic narratives and high‑impact presentations for senior audiences. Rapidly assimilate complex organisational, and environmental information and insights to craft meaningful, pragmatic stories that progress Medical Affairs priorities and enable action. Ensure capability initiatives are clearly scoped and deliver enterprise priorities.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration – Partner closely with senior stakeholders to develop bespoke and CPO‑wide capability programs, preparing them with concise, structured, and strategically aligned materials that support effective decision‑making. Act as a trusted thought partner—bringing clarity of thought, external insights, and well‑reasoned recommendations to influence stakeholders at all levels. Lead and foster a global capability network, promoting collaboration and ensuring capability programs reflect diverse perspectives and evolving healthcare realities.
• Program Development, Prioritisation & Resource Optimisation – Conduct robust needs assessments to ensure programs address key business priorities and are designed for practical, real‑world application. Prioritise initiatives and allocate resources effectively, adapting at pace to shifting business needs while maintaining clarity and focus. Evaluate vendor performance and challenge partners to bring innovative solutions, fresh perspectives, and continuous improvement.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement – Continuously assess external trends, learning technologies, and digital innovations to elevate capability initiatives and enhance the learner experience. Measure and communicate program impact through meaningful data and insights, driving ongoing refinement and value enhancement. Champion new ways of working, fostering a culture of experimentation, agility, and relentless improvement.
• Communication & Facilitation Excellence – Deliver compelling, strategically structured presentations and narratives across levels and geographies, demonstrating advanced facilitation skills. Translate complex strategies into actionable plans—clarifying objectives, inspiring engagement, and enabling execution.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications

• PhD/MD or PharmD qualification.
• Extensive experience in a pharmaceutical environment.
• Strong understanding of medical functions and medical affairs activities.
• Experience working closely with Medical Affairs teams to shape strategy, build capabilities and enhance ways of working.
• Proven track record in a leadership role, including leading teams or cross‑functional initiatives.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including strategic storytelling and presenting to senior and executive stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information quickly and provide clear, structured insight.
• Demonstrated experience in leading transformational, cross‑functional programmes.
• Experience in building capabilities and/or designing and implementing change initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and self‑directed, taking ownership for priorities and outcomes in a complex global environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Qualifications such as an MBA or equivalent.
• Strong prioritisation, organisational and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Experience working effectively across diverse cultures, functions and time zones.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships based on trust, collaboration and mutual respect.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

If you are passionate about making a difference and have the skills and experience, we are looking for, we encourage you to apply.

Closing Date for Applications: 6 November2026 (EOD)

Skills

• Cross‑Functional Leadership
• Digital Fluency
• Enterprise Thinking
• High Impact Communication
• Launch Excellence
• Patient Impact

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. Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at [e-mail] where you can also request a call. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive.

We are a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive.

We are a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people around the world in the next 10 years. Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together. Find out more on our career site.