Senior Medical Director – Respiratory Translational Medicine (Early Pipeline Unit)
Are you a leading expert in COPD, driven by a passion for transforming clinical insights into groundbreaking therapies and advancing early drug development? 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 is seeking a Senior Medical Director – Respiratory Translational Medicine with deep expertise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to join our 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. They will bring extensive clinical expertise and scientific experience to advance molecules from first‑in‑human studies through early proof‑of‑concept studies, ensuring innovative approaches in COPD and related indications are effectively translated into patient benefit.
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 improve clinical success by two‑fold. RIIRU’s remit is to identify novel targets based on human genetics, develop assets for clinical studies, and perform up to Phase 2 studies in clinic, enabled through strategic external and GSK‑internal partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide disease‑level leadership, developing causal maps of relevant pathobiology and tools/instruments that enable timely experimentation and derisk mechanisms.
* Lead early translational and clinical development strategies for COPD programmes in the EPU, ensuring clinical study designs align with the IEP and CDP and incorporate scientific rationale, regulatory requirements, and commercial goals.
* Stay abreast of advancements in respiratory research, particularly COPD, clinical trial methodologies, and regulatory changes to maintain GSK’s competitive edge.
* Contribute to regulatory interactions, including briefing documents, presentations, and responses.
* Support 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 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 programmes within the EPU.
* Design and implement experimental medicine studies to support early‑stage decision making.
* Oversee risk assessment across programmes and implement mitigation strategies.
Collaboration and Matrix Working
* Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and programme counterparts in the Advance Pipeline Unit, Commercial, Research Technology, 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.
* 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.
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 respiratory medicine, focusing on COPD and underlying biology and therapeutic targets.
* Experience in respiratory/COPD clinical drug development, including 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 in translational medicine, clinical research methodology, and biostatistics to facilitate innovative and efficient designs of clinical trials with clear data‑driven decision rules.
Preferred Qualifications/Experience
* 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.
* Transferable leadership qualities supporting effective coaching, mentoring, and development experience.
* Strong personal network across relevant scientific and clinical thought leaders, institutions and consortia in the relevant therapy area.
* Future‑looking and experimental track record, with demonstrable experience of tech‑enable solutions in biology, translation or clinical development.
Why GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company that unites 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, focusing on respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases.
People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we are committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most.
Equal Opportunity Employer
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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.
Contact
For more information regarding adjustments to assist your application, please contact UKRecruitment.Adjustments@gsk.com or 0808 234 4391. The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, including bank holidays.
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