Executive Director, External Strategy & Science Advocacy

The Executive Director, External Strategy & Science Advocacy is a strategic leadership role responsible for advancing Development Science’s external presence, policy positioning with internal partners, and innovation agenda across clinical development and statistical/data science/modeling functions. This individual serves as a key interface between internal Development Sciences and the broader scientific, regulatory, and policy ecosystem—driving collaborative initiatives that shape the future of pharmaceutical innovation. The role requires a combination of scientific understanding, policy acumen, and relationship-building excellence to influence the external landscape while accelerating the technical capabilities of the Development Sciences organization. The role works in close collaboration with other R&D teams and external engagement leaders (e.g., CSO’s office, Government Affairs, Regulatory Policy, Biostatistics, CPMS, and AIML).

Key Responsibilities

External Engagement & Partnership

• Lead the Development Science organization’s non-product engagement strategy with regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, PMDA, NMPA, ICH, and other global bodies), collaborating with regulatory strategy and policy teams to ensure alignment with R&D priorities in clinical development, data science, real-world data/evidence (RWD/E), and use of modeling to inform discovery and drug development.
• Represent the organization at industry consortia, trade associations (e.g., PhRMA, EFPIA), and cross-industry working groups to shape shared standards, frameworks, and best practices.
• Work closely with Development Sciences leadership to build and sustain strategic partnerships with academic and research institutions to co-develop innovative methodologies, foster data pipelines, and advance pre-competitive science.
• Engage with government and public policy bodies to contribute to policy positions that enable responsible adoption of RWD/E, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), digital biomarkers, and novel clinical trial designs.
• Assess collaborative proposals from pharmaceutical companies for merit and strategic alignment and coordinate their internal evaluation and funding processes within GSK.
• Proactively scan and interpret emerging global regulatory guidance and policy expectations, translating insights into clear implications and partnering with Regulatory, Development Sciences, and digital teams to support timely and coordinated adoption.

Policy Development & Advocacy

• Develop and execute policy strategies related to clinical trial innovation, AI/ML-enabled drug development, and RWD/E frameworks.
• Monitor and analyse the evolving regulatory and legislative landscape; translate implications into actionable intelligence for R&D leadership and senior stakeholders.
• Author and contribute to regulatory submissions, white papers, public comment letters, and position papers on behalf of the organization.
• Partner with legal, regulatory strategy, regulatory policy, and government affairs teams to ensure coherent and consistent external messaging.

Technical Function Advancement

• Championing the adoption and external visibility of innovation within clinical development (e.g., decentralized trials, adaptive designs, patient-centric endpoints) and data science (e.g., advanced statistics and innovative trial design, predictive models, generative AI applications for workflows).
• Collaborate closely with internal clinical, biostatistics, AIML, data science, and digital R&D teams to identify opportunities for external amplification and policy enablement of technical advances.
• Support the development of publication and conference strategies that elevate the company’s scientific leadership and thought leadership profile.
• Promote awareness in Development Sciences about available resources that support technical skill development and provide leadership with strategic insights to external trends.

Leadership & Organizational Impact

• Partner with Development Sciences leadership to set the external engagement vision and integrate it into the broader R&D strategy.
• Advise Development Sciences leadership on priority external engagement and policy advocacy efforts based on regulatory impact, maturity, and strategic value to R&D.
• Represent the company on high-profile external boards, advisory committees, and steering groups.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degrees (PhD, MD, PharmD, or equivalent) in life science, clinical, quantitative/data science, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical/biotech R&D, with significant exposure to clinical development and/or quantitative/data science functions.
• 5+ years' demonstrated track record of engaging regulatory, legislative or governing bodies relating to drug development, RWD/E, digital health technologies or novel clinical trial methodologies. This includes shaping policy outcomes.
• Proven ability to translate complex scientific and technical concepts for policy, regulatory, and non-specialist audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within or alongside industry trade associations and consortia e.g. (e.g., IMI, FNIH, OHDSI) or academic collaboration frameworks.
• Established network within PhRMA, EFPIA, TransCelerate, or equivalent bodies.
• Strong leadership experience with cross-functional influence and complex stakeholder management.
• Experience in pre-competitive consortia (e.g., IMI, FNIH, OHDSI) or academic collaboration frameworks.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks for real-world evidence (RWE), digital biomarkers, model-informed drug development, and/or decentralized clinical trials.
• Published author or recognized scientific/policy spokesperson.

How to apply
We want to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a short cover letter that describes your most relevant experience and why this role matters to you. If you need a reasonable adjustment during the application process, tell us how we can support you. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage people who value inclusion to apply.

Closing Date for applications is Wednesday 10th June

• 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 $206,250 to $343,750. • If you are based in another US location, the annual base salary range is $187,500 to $312,500. 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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