VP, Head Translational Research, Vaccines & Infectious Diseases Research Unit

VP, Head Translational Research Vaccines & Infectious Diseases Research Unit, R&D

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. As the Head of Vaccines Translational Research, you will play a pivotal role in advancing our vaccine research and development efforts. You will lead a team of experts to translate scientific discoveries into impactful vaccine solutions, ensuring scientific excellence and innovation. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on global health while fostering collaboration across diverse teams and disciplines.

Join us to shape the future of vaccines and contribute to our mission of improving lives worldwide.

• Lead, coach and mentor a global team of approximately 15 experienced scientific leaders and technical experts to ensuring quality and timely delivery and acceleration of clinical study data.
• Engage with senior R&D leaders and collaborate with global cross‑functional teams, including Therapeutic Areas, Clinical Operations, Research Technologies, and other Development lines, to ensure the seamless integration of Translational Research in R&D success.
• Manage the strategic direction and operational execution of biomarker, immunogenicity, and bioanalytical lab assay development and sample testing.
• Partner with Clinical Pharmacology Modelling & Simulation (CPMS) colleagues in the Research Units on Systems and Tools development and deployment and create a community of practice to enable consistency of CPMS in R&D.
• Provide oversight for clinical biomarker operations, lab operational study management and central lab activities to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency globally.
• Ensure global compliance with GCP, regulatory requirements, and industry standards for biomarker, immunogenicity, and bioanalytical research, biobank management, lab operational studies and central lab activities.
• Manage the global budget, resources, and infrastructure for Translational Research team, optimizing allocation to meet strategic objectives.

• PhD in relevant scientific discipline e.g. Immunology.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in an R&D environment in vaccinology/ immunology/infectious diseases.
• Strong expertise in translational research, including biomarker development and early‑stage clinical studies.
• Proven leadership experience with a track record of strategic planning and execution.
• This role necessitates a high level of proficiency in organizational strategy and development, strong alignment with R&D objectives, and the drive to foster innovation to enhance team expertise in meeting future pipeline.
• In‑depth knowledge of GCP, regulatory requirements, and guidelines pertaining to biomarker and bioanalytical research, lab operational studies and central lab activities.
• Strong understanding of current trends and advancements in platform technologies and their application in clinical development.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, with the ability to address complex scientific, operational, and people challenges effectively, to drive scientific excellence, ensure operational efficiency, and maintain a motivated, high‑performing team.
• The position centres on fostering collaboration, ensuring alignment, and maintaining effective relationships inside and outside the organization. It requires engagement in diverse interactions requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills, partnering closely across the R&D enterprise, to align on objectives and workflows, and to mediate strategic and technical discussions.
• A deep understanding is needed of the drug…