Job Description

Are you a leading expert in COPD, driven by a passion for transforming clinical insights into groundbreaking therapies and advancing early drug development? If so, the Senior Medical Director - Respiratory Translational Medicine role within GSK's Early Portfolio Unit offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of COPD treatment and strategy.


GSK are seeking a Senior Medical Director - Respiratory Translational Medicine with deep expertise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to join GSK's Early Portfolio Unit (EPU). The ideal candidate will have a strong background in translational research and demonstrated expertise in bridging clinical insights and experimental medicine to accelerate the development of novel therapies. In joining the Early Portfolio Unit, they will bring extensive clinical expertise and scientific experiences to advancing molecule to first-in-human studies through to early proof-of concept studies, ensuring innovative approaches in COPD and related indications are effectively translated into patient benefit. As a disease expert for COPD, the candidate will have a critical role in co-leading the COPD Disease Area Acceleration Team, a key strategic role supporting and driving our strategy for COPD and must be adept at leading and driving the performance of large matrix teams.

About RIIRU:

The Respiratory, Immunology and Inflammation Research Unit (RIIRU) was formed in 2024 to identify and advance novel molecular targets with genetic associations to disease based on the foundational observation that targets with human genetic evidence supporting their causal role in the intended indication improves clinical success by two-fold. The remit of RIIRU is to identify novel targets based on human genetics, develop assets for clinical studies, and perform up to Phase 2 studies in clinic. This goal is enabled through strategic external (e.g., Flagship Pioneering, Vesalius, Muna Therapeutics and others) and GSK-internal partnerships (Research Technologies).


in conversation with Tonya Winders, President and CEO of the Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform, and Dr. Jean Wright, CEO of the COPD foundation


Go Behind the Science with our new article featuring Dr Kaivan Khavandi, as he talks about the importance of our respiratory innovation for COPD patients


Read more from Tony Wood as he explains the importance of prevention in respiratory care


Read our curtain raiser press release summarizing our key data

PLEASE NOTE:

This career opportunity requires an on-site office presence (minimum of two days a week) in one of GSK's US (PA or MA) or UK (London - New Oxford Street or Stevenage) sites.

Key Responsibilities:

Scientific Leadership:

Provide disease-level leadership, to develop causal maps of relevant pathobiology (through identifying, accessing or generating translational datasets), and the tools/instruments (endpoints, biomarkers) that enable timely experimentation and prosecution to derisk mechanisms and programmes. Provide translational and clinical leadership in defining and executing innovative early translational and clinical development strategies for COPD programmes in the Early Pipeline Unit. Provide strategic leadership assuring that the clinical study designs are aligned with the IEP and CDP, incorporating the scientific rationale, regulatory requirements, product development plan and commercial goals. Stay abreast of advancements in respiratory research, with a focus on COPD and related airways disease, clinical trial methodologies, and regulatory changes to maintain GSK's competitive edge. Actively contribute to regulatory interactions, including briefing documents, presentations, and responses. Contribute to Business Development activities, including due diligence projects. Champion the implementation of translational and biomarker strategies across the early respiratory portfolio.

DAAT Leadership:

Co-lead the COPD Disease Area Acceleration Team (DAAT), ensuring alignment of scientific and clinical strategies with business objectives through matrix leadership of large cross-functional teams. Drive the evaluation of therapeutic potential and clinical tractability of targets within the disease area. Identify transformational opportunities where projects can offer significant benefits to patients.

Program Delivery:

Ensure quality, on-time, and on-budget delivery of studies and programs within a therapeutic area of EPU Design and implement experimental medicine studies to Oversee risk assessment across programs and ensure implementation of mitigation strategies.

Collaboration and Matrix Working:

Collaborate with cross-functional teams with program counterparts in Advance Pipeline Unit, Commercial, Research Tech and Development organisations. Build and maintain networks across internal and external stakeholders, including academic institutions, CROs, and regulators. Represent GSK effectively in external collaborations and negotiations.

Problem Solving and Decision Making:

Anticipate challenges and proactively develop strategies to mitigate risks. Make decisions balancing risk/benefit with clear understanding of project impact. Written and Oral Communication: Lead the writing and review of study-related documents and regulatory submissions. Communicate confidently and effectively at all levels, internally and externally.

Ways of Working:

Champion implementation of innovative business processes and strategies to improve clinical development outcomes.

#LI-GSK

Basic Qualifications:

Medical degree and clinical medical specialty training board qualification/registration in Respiratory Medicine/Pulmonary Medicine/Pulmonary & Critical Care. Experience in the global pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry in the field of respiratory medicine, with focus on COPD, including underlying biology and potential therapeutic targets Industry experience in respiratory/COPD clinical drug development, including experience in translational medicine and early phase drug development. Experience planning clinical development for an asset and/or indication. Experience working with multiple stakeholders on complex projects. Experience leading cross-functional matrix teams within a clinical development setting. Experience of translational medicine, clinical research methodology and principles of biostatistics to facilitate innovative and efficient designs of clinical trials and clinical development plans with clear data-driven decision rules.

Preferred Qualifications/experience:

In the addition to the above, the following will be highly desirable

PhD in addition to medical degree and clinical medical specialty training board qualification/registration in Respiratory Medicine/Pulmonary Medicine/Pulmonary & Critical Care. Strong leadership skills, with proven ability to inspire high performance from cross-functional teams. Track record of building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Proven record of creative problem solving in clinical trials and projects (e.g., deriving causal confidence from novel sources, or qualifying a novel endpoint). Transferable leadership qualities that will support effective coaching, mentoring and development experience. Strong personal network across relevant scientific and clinical thought leaders, institutions and consortia in relevant therapy area. Future-looking and experimental track record, with demonstrable experience of tech-enable solutions in biology, translation or clinical 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.


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 on UKRecruitment.Adjustments@gsk.com or 0808 234 4391. The helpline is available from 8.30am to 12.00 noon Monday to Friday, during bank holidays these times and days may vary.


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 UK Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link and scroll to the Careers Section where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive

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/