Project Director

GlaxoSmithKline; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

GlaxoSmithKline in Stevenage is seeking a Project Director to lead a UK campus fit-out for a new collaboration hub and lab facility, overseeing a multi-year capital programme with senior stakeholders across functions. The role will coordinate resources, manage budget changes and ensure smooth transitions to operations.

Relocation to Cambridge is planned for early 2029, with the site initially based at Stevenage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Project Management, Engineering or Business.
• Proven ability to manage complex engineering projects in a pharmaceutical R&D facility, including planning, execution and delivery, using frameworks such as PMF.
• Proven experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders to secure decisions and resources.
• Strong track record in planning and delivering change, including cutover, go-live or transition activities.
• Practical skills in risk management, financial oversight and programme governance.
• Clear communicator with experience coaching teams and driving cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Leading full lifecycle delivery of the campus fit out, ensuring scope, schedule, cost and quality commitments are achieved.
• Accountable for ongoing contract governance for outsourced project management and construction delivery organisations, including oversight of budget changes, performance against service partner KPIs, risk mitigation and effective handover to operations.
• Build strong relationships with key R&D leaders and wider stakeholders across functions and levels, partnering to shape scope, align priorities and resolve business-driven changes that impact project delivery.
• Owning the integrated delivery plan, coordinating resources and critical path activities to keep execution on track.
• Designing and overseeing change and communications plans to support smooth transitions and strong employee engagement.
• Proactively managing programme risks, issues and budgets, and providing clear, data-driven progress updates to senior stakeholders.
• Coaching and developing project teams, creating an inclusive environment that supports learning, accountability and high performance.

Skills

Change Management

Communication

Leadership

Project Management

Risk Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in PM/Engineering/Business

Master’s degree in PM/Engineering/Business

Tools

PMF framework

Job description

Project Director 2-Year Fixed Term Contract

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.

Business Introduction

We manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients’ needs and drive our performance. Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people. Our supply chain is not just core to our operations; it’s vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase the speed, quality and scale of product supply. We need the very best minds and capability to help us on our journey to make more complex products, harnessing the power of smart manufacturing technologies including robotics, digital solutions and artificial intelligence to deliver for patients.

Position Summary

You will lead the delivery of a UK campus fit-out for a new collaboration hub and lab facility, overseeing a complex capital programme that delivers meaningful change for our UK business. You will work with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to define strategy, plan delivery and drive results. We value clear decision-making, practical leadership and collaboration. This role offers growth, visible impact and the chance to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Responsibilities

• Leading full lifecycle delivery of the campus fit out, ensuring scope, schedule, cost and quality commitments are achieved.
• Accountable for ongoing contract governance for outsourced project management and construction delivery organisations, including oversight of budget changes, performance against service partner KPIs, risk mitigation and effective handover to operations.
• Build strong relationships with key R&D leaders and wider stakeholders across functions and levels, partnering to shape scope, align priorities and resolve business-driven changes that impact project delivery.
• Owning the integrated delivery plan, coordinating resources and critical path activities to keep execution on track.
• Designing and overseeing change and communications plans to support smooth transitions and strong employee engagement.
• Proactively managing programme risks, issues and budgets, and providing clear, data-driven progress updates to senior stakeholders.
• Coaching and developing project teams, creating an inclusive environment that supports learning, accountability and high performance.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Project Management, Engineering or Business.
• Proven ability to manage complex engineering projects in a pharmaceutical R&D facility, including planning, execution and delivery, using frameworks such as PMF.
• Proven experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders to secure decisions and resources.
• Strong track record in planning and delivering change, including cutover, go‑live or transition activities.
• Practical skills in risk management, financial oversight and programme governance.
• Clear communicator with experience coaching teams and driving cross‑functional collaboration.

Preferred Qualification

• Master’s degree in Project Management, Engineering or Business related subject.
• Sound technical knowledge of the pharmaceutical R&D process and GxP / project management requirements.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external contract partners to deliver project investment.
• Thorough understanding of statutory legislation in a technically complex environment.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into practical delivery plans and measurable benefits.
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and able to act with sound judgement and pace.

Closing Date for Applications

16th September 2026 (EOD)

Skills

• Change Management
• Communication
• Cross‑Departmental Collaboration
• Decision Making
• Financial Acumen
• Innovation
• Leadership
• Portfolio Management
• Project Management
• Project Management Governance
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Leadership
• Visionary Thinking

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.

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. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to impact the health of 2.5 billion 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.