Early Development Leader (Oncology R & D)

GlaxoSmithKline; Upper Providence (Delaware County); On-site; USD 203,000 - 338,000; Full time

Job summary

GlaxoSmithKline is seeking an Early Development Leader to drive the initial development of oncology medicines from candidate selection through proof of concept. You will own the asset strategy, coordinate translational and clinical plans, and partner with regulatory, medical, and commercial teams to make decisive go/no-go decisions.

You will lead cross-functional teams in a matrix environment, identify inflection points, engage with external experts, and mitigate regulatory and operational

Qualifications

• Advanced scientific or medical degree required or equivalent experience.
• Proven track record in early-stage oncology drug development and translational medicine.
• Ability to translate preclinical data into clinical development plans.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in a matrix environment and driving decisions.

Responsibilities

• Own the early development strategy for one or more oncology assets.
• Define translational and clinical plans, including biomarker strategies.
• Make go/no-go decisions based on evidence and inflection points.
• Lead cross-functional teams across clinical, medical, regulatory, and commercial functions.
• Engage external scientific and regulatory communities to sharpen development plans.
• Identify regulatory and operational risks and implement risk mitigation.

Skills

Strategic planning

Commercial acumen

Digital fluency

Drug development

Regulatory affairs

Evidence-based decisions

Executive presence

Leadership

Matrix leadership

Prioritization

Project development

Data analysis

Scientific presentations

Team development

Education

MD/PhD/PharmD or equivalent

Bachelor’s with oncology experience

Job description

Business Introduction

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting‑edge technology to transform people’s lives. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success. We’re uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more: Our approach to R&D

Job Purpose

As the Early Development Leader (EDL), you will lead the early development of oncology medicines from candidate selection through proof of concept. As the single point of accountability for your asset, you will set a clear strategy, make evidence-based go/no-go decisions, and partner with teams across research, clinical development, medical, regulatory, and commercial functions. We value scientific curiosity, decisive leadership, strong collaboration, and an unwavering focus on patient impact. This role offers significant growth potential and visible influence across the pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the early development strategy and serve as the single point of accountability for one or more oncology assets, from candidate selection through proof of concept.
• Define and drive translational and clinical plans — including experimental medicine studies and biomarker strategies — that support robust go/no-go decisions.
• Identify key inflection points and make clear, evidence-based decisions to advance or stop programs.
• Lead cross‑functional teams, building alignment across clinical, medical, regulatory, manufacturing, and commercial partners.
• Engage with external scientific, clinical, and regulatory communities to generate insights that sharpen development plans.
• Proactively identify regulatory and operational risks, putting mitigation plans in place to keep programs on track.

Team and Environment

You will join a collaborative, matrixed R&D environment that bridges discovery science and clinical development. Working alongside multidisciplinary colleagues and external partners, you will design and deliver robust early development programs. We encourage open scientific discussion and practical problem‑solving that accelerates development while upholding the highest scientific standards.

Basic Qualifications

• An advanced scientific or medical degree (MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent), or a relevant bachelor’s degree paired with substantial oncology development experience.
• Proven experience in early‑stage oncology drug development, including translational medicine and experimental medicine design.
• A demonstrated ability to translate preclinical data into actionable clinical development plans.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams in a matrix environment and driving decisions across diverse stakeholders.
• A track record of evidence-based go/no-go decision-making and defining clear development inflection points.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific plans clearly to both internal colleagues and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years leading oncology development programs, including experience preparing regulatory filings to initiate clinical testing.
• Experience with biomarker strategy development and clinical pharmacology considerations for first‑in‑human studies.
• A track record engaging external advisors, key opinion leaders, and patient communities.
• Experience in business development, due diligence, or partnership integration activities.
• Demonstrated skill in developing leaders and building high‑performing teams Ability to apply late‑stage development and commercial launch insight to early‑stage strategy

PLEASE NOTE: This career opportunity offers hybrid working and requires an on‑site office presence (minimum of two days a week) at one of GSK’s UK (Stevenage or London HQ); US (Collegeville, PA or Waltham, MA) sites.

If you are based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges $202,500 to $337,500. The US salary ranges take into account a number of factors including work location within the US market, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. Available benefits include health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and paid caregiver/parental and medical leave. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process. Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Skills

Business Strategies, Commercial Acumen, Digital Fluency, Drug Development, Drug Regulatory Affairs, Evidence Based Decision Making, Executive Presence, Hematology and Oncology, Innovative Leadership, Matrix Leadership, Prioritization, Project Development, Scientific Data Analysis, Scientific Presentations, Team Development

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. If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the appropriate Recruitment Staff by emailing us at - [e-mail] 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. Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK’s compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/ 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.