GSK

Engineering Operations Director

UK - Hertfordshire - Stevenage Full time

Engineering Operations Director

 

Business Introduction

We manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients’ needs and drive our performance. Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people. Our supply chain is not just core to our operations; it’s vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase the speed, quality and scale of product supply. We need the very best minds and capability to help us on our journey to make more complex products, harnessing the power of smart manufacturing technologies including robotics, digital solutions and artificial intelligence to deliver for patients.



Position Summary

GSC R&D Engineering Services provides Facilities Management and Capital Projects delivery for Technical R&D sites within GSC’s Engineering and EHS organization.

The Engineering Operations Director ensures consistent and sustained performance of engineering systems across RDES sites, sets strategy and holds the regions accountable for the following key pillars of performance:

  • Technical Engineering Compliance

  • Operational Technology Management

  • Environmental Sustainability Management

Responsibilities

  • Oversee an auditable Engineering Compliance global framework for engineering and maintenance activities that include measurement of compliance with statutory regulation and GSK policy, standards and global alerts.

  • Establish and manage an audit universe for the function for engineering compliance (using GSK Guidance within TP13), Operational Technology and attainment of Corporate Sustainability Goals at R&D sites.

  • Represent R&D Engineering in risk, engineering compliance and governance forums, ensuring that risks are escalated and managed.

  • Work with direct reports to build improvement programmes, defining responsibilities for implementation across the organization.

  • Own a global engineering council to drive performance and ensure best practice sharing, learning from OT adverse events, Audits and as a forum to review changes to programmes, procedures or systems.

  • Own the global relationship with the AXA risk management team and ensure an effective assurance programme is in place. 

  • Support engineering teams following adverse events to investigate and rectify gaps, through guidance, SME knowledge and coaching as required.

  • Act as R&D representative in relevant Community of Practices for Sustainability, Operational Technology and Engineering - influence and improve company with programmes and initiatives.

  • Oversee Audit Preparation activities for EHS and Engineering audits.

  • Own / Lead the implementation of the Sustainability Programme for R&D technical sites – represent the functions budget needs and escalate obstacles to delivery.

  • Own / Lead the Global Automation Strategy for the R&D technical sites.

  • Own / Lead the Global Asbestos & Synthetic Mineral Fibers Programme for R&D technical sites ensuring compliance with Engineering Standard and local regulations.

Qualifications/Skills

Basic Qualifications:

  • Holds degree in an engineering related discipline.

  • Experience in Operations or Engineering leadership role with broad understanding of all engineering disciplines as they apply to the design, operations, maintenance and statutory requirements in the pharmaceutical industry, manufacturing, or other large, regulated industry.

  • Experience managing high severity risk and operational technology risks (BAS, PLC, automation) at R&D or manufacturing facilities.

  • Experience managing energy & sustainability programs in facility operations.

  • Experience leading regional/global engineering programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Understanding of R&D site operations and GxP operations.

  • Ability to understand and apply engineering principles.

  • Experience with management of facilities service contracts

  • Experience with driving transformation initiatives across a regional/global organization, using a combination of lean, change management, and project management skills.

  • Experience and knowledge of industry standards and country legislation.

Work Location:

This role is based in Stevenage - United Kingdom or USA - Pennsylvania - Upper Providence and offers a hybrid working model, combining on-site and remote work.

Closing Date for Applications: 9th January 2026

Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert. When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.

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.

 

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that 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.

 

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

 

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at UKRecruitment.Adjustments@gsk.com where you can also request a call.

 

Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a  Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive

 

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

 

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK’s compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/