Head Third Party Operational Strategy - Central and Speciality Lab

As Head of Third Party Strategy in Platform Sciences at GSK, you will drive the laboratory strategy for central and specialty laboratories used in therapeutic programs across early and late-stage clinical development. You will lead a team of third party oversight (TPO) professionals ensuring operational excellence, resource alignment, and compliance with regulatory and scientific standards.

Key Responsibilities
- Define and communicate a clear strategic direction for third-party laboratory partnerships, aligned with GSK objectives.
- Lead operational excellence across partnerships; uphold highest standards of service and delivery.
- Mentor and support Third Party Oversight (TPO) and study teams in identifying external partners, expertise, and technologies.
- Establish robust vendor performance expectations; conduct regular performance reviews.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and drive continuous improvements in trial delivery (with Design Assurance and BTALS teams).
- Escalation point for unresolved third-party issues; provide expert input during contract negotiations and support procurement in dispute resolution.
- Maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders; support GCO Therapeutic Area (TA) and Biosample Therapeutic Area Lead (BTAL) teams in developing optimal trial strategies and process improvements.
- Collaborate with tech/digital teams to evaluate technology-enabled solutions; support process innovation.
- Ensure compliance with country regulations, GSK SOPs, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP); run lessons learnt sessions.
- Lead cross-functional review meetings with CRO partners; analyze performance data to identify trends and process enhancements.
- Oversee portfolio-level risk management; document and implement vendor communication and escalation plans.
- Build long-term partner relationships; lead joint steering committees; identify strategic alliance opportunities; implement transformation initiatives.

Required Skills and Qualifications
- Doctoral, Master’s, or Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience).
- Extensive pharmaceutical industry experience, particularly in laboratory management.
- Demonstrated experience in strategy deployment and third-party communication planning.
- Ability to work in cross-company, matrix environments.
- Strong background in clinical trial design, laboratory execution, and clinical biomarker development/operations.
- Expertise in central laboratory operations (study start-up, sample tracking/reconciliation, analysis).
- Extensive experience in outsourcing and vendor management/oversight.
- Experience coordinating multiple demands and timelines; stakeholder influence; managing expectations.
- Strong understanding of regulatory guidelines and legal requirements in major markets.
- Ability to present to senior leaders; ability to lead a team and define group strategy.
- Strong understanding of clinical safety and biomarker/assay areas (e.g., PK Bioanalysis, PD Biomarker, Exploratory Biomarker, Immunogenicity, cellular assay limitations) and associated regulations/certifications.

Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of therapeutic areas (Vaccines, Oncology, Respiratory, Immunology, Infectious Diseases).
- Proven success coaching and mentoring teams.
- Thrives in a matrix environment; strong influencing and relationship-building.
- Experience developing and implementing agile, creative solutions.
- Adaptability to changing priorities.
- Excellent organizational and written/verbal communication skills with internal and external partners.