Senior Director - External Partnerships, Oncology (Europe)

GlaxoSmithKline; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biopharma company in Greater London seeks a Senior Director for External Partnerships in Oncology. This strategic role involves building and managing external collaborations to accelerate breakthroughs in cancer treatment. Candidates should have a strong science-based background, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and proven expertise in relationship development. This position demands strategic thinking and the ability to navigate a fast-paced environment. The role is hybrid, covering Europe, with travel required.

Qualifications

• Proven expertise in effective external relationship development.
• Exceptional stakeholder management including leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to understand and effectively communicate complex scientific information.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the setup and operationalisation of the new Global team.
• Lead prioritisation and planning of high-impact research centres.
• Act as a trusted contact for partners across Europe.
• Embed effective ways of working across teams.

Skills

External relationship development

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

Project management

Complex scientific communication

Education

BSc, MD, PhD, PharmD or equivalent

Job description

Site Name: UK – London – New Oxford Street, Baar Onyx, Belgium-Wavre, GSK Tres Cantos, Madrid, Italy - Siena, Munich - Office, Singapore - Rochester Park

Posted Date: Dec 18 2025

Senior Director, External Partnerships, Oncology (Europe)

At GSK, our purpose is to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people over the next 10 years. We are committed to discovering and delivering transformational vaccines and medicines to prevent and change the course of disease. Science and technology are coming together in a way they never have before, and we have strong tech‑enabled capabilities that allow us to build a deeper understanding of the patient, human biology and disease mechanisms, and transform medical discovery.

Job Purpose

As GSK rapidly grows in Oncology it is essential we build long‑standing external partnerships to accelerate breakthroughs. Be part of a new, high‑impact Global Partnerships team that establishes strong strategic external collaborations to bring meaningful advances to patients and their loved ones.

What YOU will be accountable for

• Establishing team: Contribute to the setup an operationalisation of the new Global team, with a structured and effective approach in place for partnerships across Europe.
• Strategic planning: Jointly lead prioritisation and planning of high‑impact research centres and collaborative groups aligned to our strategic priorities and data generation needs.
• Partnership leadership: Act as a trusted, collaborative contact for partners across Europe – leading partnership development, onboarding and relationship management.
• Stakeholder collaboration and influence: Embed effective ways of working across local and Global teams to deliver aligned plans and outcomes.
• Represent GSK: Actively represent GSK with professionalism and expertise at key moments, including leading strategic meetings and events and attending scientific conferences.
• Market and competitor intelligence: Maintain a forward‑looking, "outside‑in" perspective by identifying emerging opportunities, evaluating potential partners, and staying informed on competitor activities – so that GSK remains at the forefront of Oncology advancements.
• Regulatory and compliance alignment: Make sure compliance with country specific regulatory, ethical and data governance requirements.
• Operational expertise: Drive project, budget and stakeholder management for partnership initiatives and define and track KPIs and impact metrics.
• Keep us moving forward: Provide progress updates and requests for stakeholders.

Key skills

• Proven expertise in effective external relationship development and management.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain advocacy with recognised External Experts.
• Exceptional stakeholder management – including with leaders and cross‑functional teams.
• Evidence of leadership including line management experience.
• Strategic thinking and advanced problem‑solving skills.
• Experience working in a matrixed and/or international setting is highly desirable.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills that drive mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Ability to understand and effectively communicate complex scientific information.
• Strength in managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Science‑based background (BSc, MD, PhD, PharmD or equivalent)
• Experience in clinical development, medical affairs or strategy within oncology.
• Familiarity with industry regulatory considerations within Europe.
• Sets and is accountable for delivery of KPIs (results orientated) with analytical ability to use data and / or insights to inform decisions.

Location: This role is a hybrid regional role covering Europe; travel will be required.

If you are motivated to make an impact and grow your career, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter highlighting why YOU are right for this position.

Closing Date for Applications: 11/01/2026

Note: Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert. When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.

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.

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