Senior Scientific Director, Oncology Safety

GlaxoSmithKline plc; England; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

GSK seeks a Senior Scientific Director of Safety Evaluation & Risk Management to lead pharmacovigilance for oncology assets in clinical development. You will shape safety strategy, assess risks, and communicate findings to global leaders to ensure robust benefit-risk profiles and patient protection.

Collaboration across a global matrix and mentorship of staff are key. The role requires a health or life sciences degree with extensive drug safety experience, including signal detection and

Qualifications

• Degree in health or life sciences (BS, PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent).
• Extensive pharmacovigilance or drug safety experience in pharma/biotech.
• Experience with signal detection, safety surveillance and risk management across clinical development and post-marketing.
• Knowledge of global pharmacovigilance requirements and drug development processes.
• Strong clinical or scientific judgement interpreting safety data.

Responsibilities

• Lead pharmacovigilance activities and risk mitigation for oncology assets and clinical trials.
• Evaluate and interpret safety data, including signal detection and assessment.
• Develop strategies for safety issue evaluation within clinical development programs.
• Contribute to safety components of global regulatory submissions (INDs, DSURs, IBs).
• Mentor and coach junior team members in a global matrix environment.
• Present safety recommendations to governance committees with clarity and impact.
• Collaborate with Safety Physicians and stakeholders to address urgent and complex safety issues.

Skills

Pharmacovigilance

Drug safety

Safety data interpretation

Clinical judgement

Communication to governance

Education

Bachelor of Science in health or life sciences

Advanced degree (PharmD/MD/PhD) or equivalent clinical qualification

Job description

Position Summary

Provides advanced scientific expertise in the safety evaluation and risk management of key GSK oncology assets in clinical development. Leads the identification, assessment, and communication of safety risks to ensure robust benefit-risk profiles and protection of patients globally. This role is critical in shaping the safety strategy of innovative oncology therapies and directly impacting patient outcomes. The Scientific Director partners cross-functionally to ensure high-quality, timely decision-making and proactive risk mitigation across the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Scientific and Pharmacovigilance Leadership
• Lead pharmacovigilance activities and risk mitigation strategies for assigned oncology assets and clinical trials
• Drive the evaluation and interpretation of safety data, including signal detection and assessment
• Develop strategic approaches for safety issue evaluation within clinical development programs
• Contribute to safety components of global regulatory submissions (e.g., INDs, DSURs, IBs)
• Perform literature review, clinical data synthesis, and integrated safety analyses to inform decision-making
• Ensure high-quality, timely delivery of outputs while managing multiple priorities
• Cross-Functional Matrix Leadership
• Represent Safety Evaluation & Risk Management (SERM) on Clinical Matrix and Project Teams
• Lead cross-functional efforts to address urgent and complex product safety issues
• Partner closely with Safety Physicians and stakeholders to prepare and present at Safety Review Team (SRT) meetings
• Escalate emerging safety issues to senior leadership and governance bodies as appropriate
• Build strong working relationships and effectively lead within a global matrix environment
• Mentor and coach junior team members as applicable
• Communication, Influence, and Strategy
• Present safety recommendations and emerging risks to senior governance committees with clarity and impact
• Represent GSK in interactions with regulatory authorities, external experts, and partners
• Apply strategic thinking to evaluate internal and external factors influencing safety decisions
• Contribute to long-term safety and clinical development strategies
• Drive continuous improvement by introducing innovative approaches to safety evaluation and processes
• Communicate complex scientific information effectively to diverse audiences

Basic Qualifications

• Degree in a health or life sciences discipline (e.g., Bachelor of Science, PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent).
• Extensive experience in pharmacovigilance, drug safety, or related safety evaluation role in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Practical experience in signal detection, safety surveillance and risk management across clinical development and post-marketing.
• Knowledge of global pharmacovigilance requirements and drug development processes.
• Strong clinical or scientific judgement with experience interpreting clinical and safety data.

Preferred Qualification

• Advanced degree (PharmD, PhD, MD) or equivalent clinical qualification.
• 10 or more years of pharmacovigilance or medical safety experience.
• Experience in preparing regulatory safety documents and participating in regulatory interactions.
• Experience leading safety activities in a specific therapeutic area relevant to the role.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrix setting.
• Experience supporting inspections, audits, and readiness activities.

Skills

Digital Fluency, Enterprise Leadership, Influencing Without Authority, Pharmacovigilance, Presentation Techniques

Polish Salary Range / Polski przedział wynagrodzenia:

PLN 525,750 to PLN 876,250

Italian Salary Range / Fascia retributiva in Italia:

EUR 124,500 to EUR 207,500

Belgium Salary Range / Fourchette salariale – Belgique:

EUR 141,000 to EUR 235,000

Salary Information

The annual gross base salary range for new hires in this position is listed above for each applicable location. These ranges take into account a number of factors including the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position may offer an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. More detailed information on the total benefits package will be supplied during the recruitment process. This role is available for applicants from multiple locations, and therefore salary ranges for certain locations are also shown. Salary ranges for other locations are shown because some markets have pay transparency laws that require salary information on job postings, and those locations are potential job sites for this role. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific location or country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process. Please note salaries vary by country based on the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. Offers are typically made within the advertised range based on the candidate’s skills, experience and qualifications, with the upper end generally reserved for highly experienced candidates or other exceptional circumstances aligned with these criteria.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Company Information

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

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

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.

Flexible Working

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.

Accessibility and Adjustments

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.

Adjustment and Support Note

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