Transformation Operations Project Manager

ZipRecruiter; City Of London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare company in London seeks a Project Manager to oversee complex R&D transformation programmes. The candidate should have at least 5-7 years of project management experience, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, and be skilled in building stakeholder relationships. Strong communication skills are essential, along with relevant project management certifications.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of project management experience in transformation programmes.
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide project management support for R&D transformation programmes.
• Build and manage relationships with stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans.

Skills

Project management experience

Experience in the pharmaceutical industry

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

PPM certification (PMP, MSP, PRINCE2)

Tools

Smartsheet

MS SharePoint

MS Teams

Job description

Overview

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. We are on an audacious journey to impact the health of 2.5 billion people over the next decade. Our R&D division focuses on discovery and development of vaccines and medicines, integrating cutting-edge science, technology, genetics, and new data. We foster a collaborative environment that unites talent to revolutionize R&D and pre-empt and defeat diseases. Join us in uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Role/Project Overview

GSK aims to positively impact health by uniting science, technology and talent over the next ten years. Our R&D approach focuses on the science of the immune system, human genetics and advanced technologies, such as functional genomics and AI/ML. Transformation Operations are key matrix partners driving strategic programmes and embedding change to unlock value across the business.

The Project Manager will provide strong project management support to the delivery of complex priority R&D transformation programmes, including major integrations, step-changes in R&D productivity, digital/tech implementations, operating model and organizational/cultural changes. They may collaborate with other project and change managers as part of a broader project team.

The role involves managing successful project delivery within scope, budget and schedule to realize organizational outcomes and benefits, implementing strong governance and project management controls, and managing project closure and transition to BAU in a controlled manner. The Project Manager may also assist the Transformation Lead in shaping the program approach and contribute to strengthening Transformation Operations capabilities and culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide project management support for priority R&D enterprise transformation programmes, with or without additional internal or external project managers. May support Transformation Lead in shaping programme approaches/structures prior to delivery.
• Build and manage relationships with project business leads, key stakeholders and external resources as agreed with the Transformation Lead.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans including scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, resources and budgets.
• Facilitate project delivery team meetings, stakeholder engagement and decision-making to ensure successful delivery.
• Track and report on project progress, risks, issues and KPIs/benefits; manage stakeholder expectations and communications clearly and concisely.
• Identify and assess risks, dependencies and issues; develop and track mitigation plans to minimize impact on delivery.
• Monitor resource capacity/requirements and adjust to maintain delivery efficiency.
• Foster a collaborative project team environment with effective communication and coordination among team members and stakeholders.
• Develop project documentation and information storage; leverage digital tools (e.g., Smartsheet, MS SharePoint/Teams).
• Ensure quality management processes; conduct periodic project reviews and health checks; implement corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Manage project closure and transition to BAU in a controlled manner.
• Tailor the transformation framework to project/contextual needs and contribute to ongoing capability development and internal processes/culture.

Requirements

Experience

• Min 5-7 years of project management experience delivering complex transformation programmes with tangible business value.
• Experience working across organizational boundaries in global companies (via industry or consulting roles).
• Experience across various transformation types (operating model, process improvement, digital/tech implementation, cultural change).
• Proven ability to collaborate with leaders at multiple levels across geographies.
• Ability to provide effective project management support in a matrix environment, managing multiple initiatives concurrently.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience and knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry.

Competencies

• Expertise in programme/project management (PPM) certification such as PMP, MSP, PRINCE2 preferred; knowledge of change management, process optimization, and agile methods is beneficial.
• Ability to tailor approaches pragmatically to the transformation context and multi-project delivery.
• High learning agility and a consulting mindset; ability to navigate ambiguity.
• Strong relationship-building skills; able to partner with leaders up to VP level and manage complex stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to tailor messages to audiences.
• Strong empathy, emotional intelligence, and situational awareness; understands change impact on people.
• Ability to recognize upstream/downstream impacts and respond holistically.
• Decision-making with the ability to escalate and overcome obstacles; willing to challenge thinking constructively.
• Team player who collaborates well with others.

Why GSK?

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

GSK is a global biopharma company focused on vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We invest in four core therapeutic areas and use new platform and data technologies to advance science and health.

Our success depends on our people. We aim to be a place where people feel welcome, valued, included, and supported to grow and maintain wellbeing. If you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment to get Ahead Together.

at GSK

GSK is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, origin, religion, sex, marital status, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, military service, protected veteran status or any other protected class.

If you need adjustments in the recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team ([e-mail]) to discuss today.