R&D Strategy Director

GlaxoSmithKline; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

GlaxoSmithKline is seeking an R&D Strategy Director to shape long-term R&D ambition and solve strategic questions across R&D functions. You will lead strategic projects from conception to handover, collaborating with the R&D Leadership Team and senior stakeholders.

You will combine global strategic thinking with deep operational problem-solving, manage ambiguity, and drive evidence-based recommendations.

Qualifications

• Degree level in Life Sciences, Business, or other relevant areas (PhD, MBA or other post-graduate degrees preferred)
• Strategy consulting experience from a top-tier strategy consulting firm, or similar experience
• Ability to think strategically at global level and dive deep into operational issues
• Proven capability to manage ambiguity and develop evidence-based strategies from complex data
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly
• Solid analytical skills and ability to manipulate complex data, test hypotheses and challenge assumptions
• Rigorous project management skills, and ability to engage senior stakeholders with emotional intelligence
• R&D experience, combined with learning agility

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-disciplinary strategy projects informing long-term R&D ambition
• Collaborate with R&D Leadership Team and senior leaders across GSK
• Develop concrete proposals and handover with deployment teams
• Manage matrix teams and operate across global levels
• Access internal and external data to inform ambition and action

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Communication skills

Project management

R&D experience

Education

Life Sciences degree

PhD or MBA preferred

Job description

The R&D Strategy team is a dedicated unit within the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer, whose 'day-job' it is to think longer term about the ambition for R&D and its progress towards achieving it, as well as to problem solve various strategic questions across R&D functions and teams. We identify and provide recommendations on key questions informing the evolution of GSK's R&D strategy. We execute R&D-wide strategy projects aligned with the R&D priorities. We serve as a partner R&D leadership to develop various strategies and execute bespoke initiatives. We will seek to determine current performance, set ambition and propose courses of action, through continuously accessing and interpreting internal and external data (including external trends and competitive landscape).

We are looking for an R&D Strategy Director to work on core R&D strategy questions, collaborating with the strategy project lead, and senior leaders across GSK. Projects will vary significantly in nature and remit, though will typically last 3-4 months and result in concrete proposals and handover with a team responsible for strategy deployment. The Strategy Director will be a core member of project teams within the Strategy team and will engage directly with the R&D Leadership Team (RDLT) and many groups across R&D, leading multi-disciplinary matrix teams where necessary. Career progression: The R&D Strategy Team has been a feeder group for key talent at GSK, and allows for exposure to many different parts of the business, as well as exposure to senior leaders across the organization. A successful Director in the R&D Strategy team will have numerous progression opportunities within GSK, both within the strategy team, or with a move to other business lines.

Why You?

• Degree level in Life Sciences, Business, or other relevant areas (PhD, MBA or other post-graduate degrees preferred)
• Strategy consulting experience from a top-tier strategy consulting firm, or similar experience
• Ability to both think strategically, working at a global level, and to dive deep into operational issues when required, moving quickly between the two levels of working with a sense of urgency
• Proven capability to manage ambiguity and develop clear, evidence-based strategies from complex and extensive datasets
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and compellingly
• Solid analytical skills and the ability to manipulate complex data, propose and test hypothesis and challenge assumptions
• Rigorous project management skills, and ability to engage senior stakeholders with a balanced mix of intellectual rigour and emotional intelligence
• R&D experience, combined with intellectual curiosity and demonstrated learning agility

Work Arrangement

This role offers a hybrid working model, with a mix of on-site and remote work. Remote or fully home-working arrangements are not available for this role.

Closing Date for Applications - 27 September 2026

Skills

Skills Analytical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Brand Strategy Planning, Business Insights, Business Strategy Consulting, Business Transformation, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Digital Fluency, Executive Communications, Financial Acumen, Influencing Skills, Innovation, Life Science, Market Shaping, Operational Excellence, Problem Solving, Project Management, R&D Strategy, Risk Management, Shareholder Management, Stakeholder Management, Storytelling, Strategic Consulting, Strategic Delivery {+ 1 more}

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.

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 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.