Early Development Leader

The Early Development Leader (EDL) is a high-responsibility, strategic role, critical for developing the vision and trajectory for a medicine that maximizes its opportunity for GSK and benefit for patients. 

The EDL is the single point of accountability to lead the development of a medicine from initiation of Lead Optimization through Proof of Concept (PoC), defining the criteria necessary to identify and progress game-changing medicines through creative and innovative experimental design.

By working with various stakeholders across R&D, the EDL obtains and manages associated resources and delivers evidence in line with the strategic vision and organizational strategy to support progression beyond PoC for a clearly differentiated medicine.

Key Responsibilities:

The EDL’s accountability and key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Leadership of the Early Development Strategy

• Contributes to and establishes the development strategy to support the Medicine Profile (MP)

• Secures input and alignment from late-stage Development, Commercial and Medical

• Ensures asset development strategy is kept current, as internal priorities shift and the external landscape changes

Matrix Leadership of the Early Development Team (EDT)

• Leads the multi-disciplinary Early Development matrix team and owns the performance of the EDT

• Makes clear and timely evidence-based accelerate/go/no-go decisions in line with the strategy

• Ensures excellence in execution of all governance processes

• Prioritizes activities and manages the early development plan to meet budget constraints

• Ensures team accountabilities, including study oversight, pharmacovigilance, scientific engagement and promotional practices are in line with the development strategy and GSK expectations

• Delivers the package of evidence that supports the MP for a medicine of value

• Models GSK values and leadership expectations

Business Partnering beyond the EDT

• Provides significant input in selecting members of the EDT, in consultation with the Functional Line leaders, supporting differentiated development for team members

• Strategically partners with Functional Line Heads to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and to maximize the asset’s portfolio options including developing multiple indications

• Provides key support to the Project Team (PT) in the lead up to the Commit to Lead Optimization milestone and to the Medicines Development Team (MDT) following achievement of PoC to ensure end-to-end alignment on the drug development strategy

• Works closely with the Project Leader (PL) and Medicine Development Leader (MDL) to ensure smooth transitions from the PL ahead of Commit to Lead Optimization and to the MDL upon achieving PoC

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• Advanced degree such as PhD, MD, PharmD, MBA or equivalent is required

• Minimum of 10 years drug development experience in the pharmaceutical industry - Must demonstrate deep drug development expertise

• Proven ability to think and plan strategically and to work with members of other functions within a matrix environment utilizing well-developed leadership and stakeholder management skills

• Understands the relevance of early-stage questions, including tools and methodologies for addressing the questions: “learning about the asset” and appreciates limitations and strengths of the pre-clinical setting

• Demonstrates thorough translational understanding (pre-clinical/clinical)

• Pre-clinical and clinical development experience (end-to-end knowledge)

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Experience or expertise in Immuno-Inflammation, Respiratory, Hepatology, GI, Renal, Connective Tissue or neurodegenerative diseases areas

• Experience as a matrix leader able to work across technical disciplines and integrate requirements from matrix partners into a coherent evidence-generation and forward plan

• Experience or clear familiarity / understanding of the attributes of early clinical development and importance of clinical pharmacology, modelling & simulation and statistics

• Experience gathering early commercial insights and awareness of the impact of external factors, e.g., public policy, competitor landscape

• Prior significant pre-clinical and clinical expertise in drug development with an emphasis on earlier stage clinical development and translational medicine

• Expertise/knowledge in translational medicine/experimental medicine design and management

• Strong understanding of options for regulatory pathways, Life Cycle Management and sequencing of indications

• Knowledge of manufacturing compliance and regulatory requirements

Location and Working Model
This role is based in the United States. The position follows a hybrid working model, with a mix of on-site and remote work. Exact on-site expectations will be agreed with the hiring manager.

What we value
We value open collaboration, transparency, respect and accountability. We aim to create an inclusive environment where people feel they belong and can bring their best work. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage people with non-linear careers to apply.

Ready to apply?
If you are excited by this opportunity to lead early development and help bring new medicines to patients, please apply today. We look forward to learning how you can contribute to our mission.

• If you are based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges $200,475 to $334,125. • If you are based in another US location, the annual base salary range is $182,250 to $303,750. The US salary ranges take into account a number of factors including work location within the US market, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. Available benefits include health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and paid caregiver/parental and medical leave. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Please visit  GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

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.

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