Senior Director, Head of Extended Characterization

Overview

Site Name: USA - Massachusetts - Cambridge, USA - Pennsylvania - Upper Providence
Posted Date:
Feb 2 2026

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.

Position Summary:

Lead strategic initiatives to advance process and product understanding through cutting-edge analytical techniques. This role will oversee the development and implementation of extended characterization platforms, including mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and advanced microscopy or bioassay platforms, ensuring robust analytical capabilities to support drug discovery, development, and manufacturing processes across the whole CMC portfolio. The individual will also focus on team building, talent development, and fostering collaborations to drive innovation and excellence in analytical sciences.

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive vision and strategy for extended characterization to support drug discovery and development pipelines. Lead the implementation, optimization, and application of advanced analytical techniques, including MS, NMR, microscopy, and other methodologies to achieve in-depth process and product characterization. Drive innovation to enhance understanding of drug substance and product properties, stability, and quality. Identify and integrate emerging technologies to strengthen analytical capabilities and improve operational efficiency.
• Team Leadership and Development: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of scientists, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and scientific excellence. Develop and implement robust strategies to attract, retain, and nurture top talent, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals. Oversee resource allocation, budgeting, and forecasting to enable efficient and effective execution of characterization initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with analytical project, analytical operation, Drug Substance (DS), Drug Product (DP), manufacturing, and quality teams to align extended characterization efforts with organizational goals and ensure seamless integration into development and production processes.
• External Engagement and Reputation Building: Establish and maintain strategic collaborations with external experts, academic institutions, and industry partners to advance research capabilities and drive innovation. Enhance organizational visibility through publications in high-profile scientific journals and active participation in conferences, industry panels, and thought leadership forums.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field (life sciences)
• 15+ years of experience in analytical characterization or CMC-related analytical development in the pharmaceutical industry
• Extensive experience in advanced analytical techniques (MS, NMR, microscopy) and their application in drug discovery and development
• Strong track record with characterization techniques relevant to small and/or large molecules
• Experience managing external laboratory partners and transfers to manufacturing
• Comfortable working in a hybrid model with regular presence on-site in Belgium (hybrid role; on-site as required for laboratory leadership and stakeholder engagement)

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline
• Experience with material science disciplines such as crystallography, particle science, or physical chemistry
• Hands-on experience implementing digital tools, laboratory information systems, or advanced data analytics in characterization workflows
• Experience supporting regulatory submissions and approval processes
• Track record in modernizing analytical platforms or introducing new technologies at scale
• Experience leading cross-functional technical strategy and managing resource prioritization
• Leadership:
  Proven track record of leading teams, developing talent, and driving strategic initiatives
• Skills:
  
  Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities; ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders

• The role is located in Waltham, MA or Upper Providence, PA. This is an onsite role
• Hybrid working model with regular on-site presence required for laboratory leadership and collaboration

• A role with strong strategic influence across development and supply
• Visible impact on…