Senior Director, Early Phase CMC Medicine Research Leader

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.

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Our approach to R&D

As the Senior Director, Early Phase CMC Medicine Research Leader you will ensure the successful CMC delivery of GSK's early phase portfolio (Rx and Vx) through the coaching, training, mentoring and recruiting of CMC project matrix leaders who lead programs in support of Early Development Leaders (EDLs) across the GSK, ViiV and partnered portfolios. You will lead the early CMC research and development of clinical products from Commit to Lead Optimization (C2LO) through Commit to Phase 3 (C2P3), ahead of the start of development of the Phase 3/commercial process.

This is a matrix leadership role, engaging with Research/Discovery project leadership at or before the C2LO milestone to provide strategic CMC input and guidance, and leading CMC activities of an asset through candidate selection, Phase 1 process development, and pre‑clinical and Phase 1 supply, before transitioning accountability to the Development & Industrialization organization in support of Phase 3 delivery.

• Develop and maintain an industry leading CMC project leadership capability in the early phase through the recruitment, retention and development of CMC matrix leaders.
• Design and implement next generation ways of working using design by intent, phase appropriate practices and GenAI to optimize and expedite the delivery of CMC for GSKs early‑stage pipeline.
• Appointment of CMC leaders to individual projects, in consultation with EDLs and CMC functions, and take accountability for assessing and escalating early phase portfolio CMC risks.
• Ensure appropriate CMC input into early phase business development opportunities, including appointment of diligence leads and approval of CMC diligence sections and risk assessments.
• Ensure CMC line functions have advanced awareness of early phase portfolio demands, putting plans in place that enable aligned and seamless delivery across functions.
• Serve as the CMC accountable person with early phase stakeholders on CMC‑impacting objectives, such as acceleration, attrition‑reduction strategies, and upper‑quartile performance.
• Serve as the single point accountable person for all CMC and supply chain aspects during the development of a medicine, from Lead Optimization up to handover to the CMC Development and Industrialization Leader.
• Deliver seamless transition of projects from medicine design/early discovery into Phase 1 development and manufacture, taking matrix leadership accountability to establish the CMC team during Lead Optimization.
• Define the integrated drug substance, drug product, analytical, manufacturing, supply chain, quality and CMC regulatory strategy through leadership of the CMC/Supply Chain matrix team, generating options and recommendations for Phase 1 development and supply that balance time, cost, resources and risk.
• Lead delivery of the CMC strategy and plan through the CMC/Supply Chain matrix team and the R&D and CDMO network, delivering to agreed timings, costs, resources and risk‑mitigation strategies.
• Take an active part in people's development through mentoring and coaching of Workstream leads and other key talents.

• Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering or a related scientific field, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience (15 yrs minimum) in CMC/pharmaceutical development, spanning drug substance, drug product, analytical, manufacturing and supply chain activities in early…