Director, R&D DT Priority Program Management

GlaxoSmithKline; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global pharmaceutical company in Greater London is seeking a Director for R&D DT Priority Program Management. The successful candidate will lead program management efforts, focusing on digital transformation within R&D. Responsibilities include aligning stakeholders, establishing governance, and enhancing delivery processes. Preferred qualifications include significant experience in program management, especially in regulated environments. This role offers a chance to impact healthcare innovation while working collaboratively across functions.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in program management delivering digital transformation.
• Proven track record in cross-functional program leadership.
• Experience in regulated environments or life sciences.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of RD DT programs.
• Establish and maintain program governance and clear metrics.
• Drive continuous improvement in delivery processes.

Skills

Program or project management

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Delivery metrics

Stakeholder influencing

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Cloud platforms

Data platforms

APIs

Job description

Director, R&D DT Priority Program Management

Business Introduction: GSK remains committed to achieving bold commercial ambitions for the future. By 2031, we aim to deliver £40 billion in annual sales, leveraging our existing strong performance momentum to significantly increase our positive impact on the health of billions of patients globally. Our Ahead Together strategy is centred on early intervention to prevent and alter the course of disease, thereby protecting people and supporting healthcare systems.

Our diverse portfolio consists of vaccines, specialty medicines, and general medicines.

Through continuous innovation and a dedicated focus on scientific and technical excellence, we strive to develop and launch new, groundbreaking treatments that address critical health challenges.

Position Summary

You will lead priority program management for Research & Development Digital Technology (RD DT) with a focus on the ‘Priority Tech’ investments managed through the Tech Investment Board (TIB). These investments will transform GSK Research and Development, increasing the Probability of Technical & Regulatory Success (PTRS), accelerating the R&D cycle times and delivering significant efficiencies.

You will coordinate complex, cross‑functional programs that deliver digital capabilities to advance scientific discovery. You will work closely with leaders in R&D, engineering, product, data, security and operations to drive delivery, manage risk and demonstrate clear impact. We value collaborative, pragmatic leaders who simplify work, enable teams and focus on measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of high-priority, multi-team RD DT programs from concept to sustained operation.
• Align stakeholders across R&D, technology, data and operations to set priorities, remove blockers and make timely decisions.
• Establish and maintain program governance, clear metrics, risk management and transparent reporting to senior leaders.
• Coach and mentor program managers and cross‑functional leads to grow capability and improve delivery consistency.
• Partner with security, compliance and infrastructure teams to ensure solutions meet regulatory and operational requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning, delivery processes and toolsets to increase speed and quality of outcomes.
• Recruit and manage a 3rd‑party team of persistent Project Managers to matrix into the Priority Tech Programs and ensure Project Management rigor and discipline is embedded.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in program or project management delivering technology, data or digital transformation programs.
• Proven track record leading cross‑functional, multi‑site programs with engineering, product, data and business partners.
• Strong skills in governance, risk management, delivery metrics and executive reporting.
• Experience working with regulated environments or life sciences businesses.
• Demonstrable experience coaching or leading program managers or delivery teams.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in R&D or scientific environments delivering digital platforms or data capabilities.
• Advanced degree or professional certifications in program management (e.g. PMP) or agile delivery frameworks.
• Hands‑on familiarity with cloud platforms, data platforms, APIs and modern software delivery practices.
• Experience partnering with security, compliance and infrastructure teams on regulated programs.
• Track record of building program management capability and scalable delivery processes.
• Strong stakeholder influencing skills and experience reporting to senior or executive leaders.

How to Apply

We want to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a short cover note describing a program you led that delivered measurable impact. Tell us what you delivered, how you measured success and what you learned. We look forward to hearing from you.

Closing Date: Wednesday 7th January 2026

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to connecting soon!

When applying, use your cover letter or CV to highlight how your skills and experience align with the role’s requirements. We look forward to reviewing your application!

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, military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities, contact us at [e-mail] or 0808 234 4391.

When applying, use your cover letter or CV to highlight how your skills and experience align with the role’s requirements. We look forward to reviewing your application!

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, military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/.