Scientific Director

The Scientific Director in the Infectious Disease Research team (Siena, or Upper Providence, Stevenage) is highly motivated and talented with expertise in mAb drug discovery for infectious diseases and project leadership. The Scientific Director is the single point of accountability to strategically lead the discovery of a clinical candidate from target validation through to commit to candidate selection and can also directly manage a team of scientists supporting different projects.

This is a decision-making position with high responsibility, visibility and direct interaction with GSK senior leaders as well as Regulatory Agencies, internal and external auditors, and external key opinion leaders.

The Scientific Director leads a multidisciplinary team which will define, implement, and oversee the discovery strategy for an asset and can also supervise lab-based work performed by a team of scientists reporting to her/him. Collaboration and influence are critical to this position given that the Scientific Director works with various stakeholders across R&D, obtaining and managing resources, and delivering evidence to support candidate discovery and go/no-go decisions. The Scientific Director is accountable for leading and driving teams to perform to their best. The Scientific Director uses her/his drug discovery and development as well business knowledge/experience to develop the medicine profile.

Key Responsibilities:

• The Scientific Director is accountable for data package included in regulatory submissions, patents, grants, GSK tax deductions and clinical protocols.
• Lead and manage cross-functional project teams to deliver innovative projects in the infectious disease therapeutic area.
• Develop with project teams medicine profile and project strategy. Work closely with the Senior Scientific Director to ensure that project goals are aligned with overall business objectives.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including internal and external partners, to ensure that projects are delivered successfully.
• Develop and maintain project plans and timelines, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.
• Identify and manage project risks, issues and dependencies, and implement appropriate mitigation plans.
• Ensure that project teams are aligned on project goals and objectives, and that progress is communicated effectively to all stakeholders.
• Manage project budgets and resources effectively, ensuring that resources are allocated appropriately to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Ensure that all projects are conducted in compliance with GSK policies and procedures, and with relevant regulatory requirements.
• Establishing key external collaborations to enhance the quality of programs in partnership with External R&D and BD.
• Contributing to GSK’s scientific excellence through discovery activities and broad participation at scientific bodies.
• May have a team of lab-based scientists supporting several projects directly reporting to her/him:
  • Supervise science performed by the team and ensure quality of the data and alignment with projects and business priorities
  • Provide guidance to the experiments performed by the team
  • Support personal development of the team
  • Ensure the team is thriving and support their performance
  • Provide HSE supervision
  • Support the team with lab logistics and equipment

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• PhD, MD, MSc, or BSc in a scientific discipline of relevance to drug discovery
• Drug discovery experience. This can be industry or academic
• Experience in monoclonal antibodies discovery
• First-hand experience of early drug discovery phases.
• Understands the entirety of R&D across discovery and development.

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Extensive leadership experience on projects
• Proven ability to think and plan strategically, to lead and work with members of other functions within a matrix environment.
• Familiarity with modality selection and screening strategies for discovery projects.
• Ability to integrate and lead a team of multi-discipline experts including biology, safety, computational sciences, clinical, translational science, intellectual property, commercial, epidemiology and others.
• Ability to align resources (people and financial), team objectives and strategies behind the vision; ensure resource gaps are identified and where possible, filled or managed.
• Create and lead an empowered, motivated team where diversity of thought is encouraged.
• Able to engage and leverage internal and external networks to drive performance and results.
• A demonstrable track record of developing and delivering successful outcomes through a diverse team.
• A demonstrable ability to influence without authority in a highly matrixed environment.

Why GSK?

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

GSK is 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 prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

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.

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the GSK Service Centre at 1-877-694-7547 (US Toll Free) or +1 801 567 5155 (outside US).

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