ViiV Healthcare (GSK) Head of Data and Technology Strategy

Head of Data & Technology Strategy is a senior strategic leadership role accountable for defining how data, technology, AI and automation will accelerate ViiV R&D priorities across Discovery, Development, Regulatory, CMC and portfolio decision-making. The role will translate scientific ambition into a prioritised portfolio with clear value drivers, investment requirements and measurable outcomes, and will decide the delivery pathway for each priority

Working in close partnership with the Head of Strategy & Operations, Head of R&D, the R&D Leadership Team, R&D Operations, ViiV Digital & Technology, GSK R&D Technology, Quantitative Sciences and cross-functional partners, this leader will provide strategic judgement, technology fluency and disciplined execution. They will establish and operate clear interfaces between R&D as business owner and sponsor, and technology organisations as strategic partners accountable for requirements translation, architecture, platforms, delivery, technology controls and risk governance.

The role will strengthen ViiV influence in enterprise R&D decisions, work with ViiV Digital & Technology to identify where existing GSK capabilities can be leveraged and trade-offs between internal and external solutions, and decide, where ViiV-specific or external solutions are needed to meet critical scientific and portfolio milestones. The leader will also drive adoption, digital fluency and benefits realisation so that technology investments translate into sustained business outcomes.

The successful candidate will be able to operate through ambiguity, connect scientific and technical perspectives, simplify complex choices and build alignment across senior stakeholders while maintaining clear ownership, pace, governance and accountability.

Data & Technology Strategy enables ViiV R&D to translate scientific and portfolio priorities into a focused data, technology and AI agenda. The function connects R&D business needs with technology capabilities, investment choices, governance and adoption to improve decision quality, productivity and delivery across a complex R&D environment.

Reporting to the Head of Strategy & Operations and working in close collaboration with the ViiV Chief Digital & Technology Officer, the Head of Data & Technology Strategy will own the priorities, investment decisions and value-realisation agenda for data, technology and AI across ViiV R&D. The role will work across ViiV R&D, ViiV Digital & Technology and GSK R&D to ensure ViiV R&D priorities are clearly represented, governed and supported by strong business ownership.

Technology product ownership, enterprise architecture, technology roadmap and delivery sequencing, data architecture and integration standards, cybersecurity, privacy, GxP validation planning, audit and inspection accountability, controls, Responsible AI controls, vendor management and platform lifecycle accountability remain with the designated technology organisations.

This role will be based out of Durham, NC & may be considered for a domestic relocation package. Check out this link to learn more about the thriving, diverse, and cutting edge RTP area!

Research Triangle Park | Where People + Ideas Converge (rtp.org)

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

• Set, review and own the prioritisation of the ViiV R&D data, technology, AI and automation portfolio, including confirmation of which demands proceed to assessment
• Lead the development and execution of an integrated ViiV R&D capability, portfolio and investment strategy for data, technology, AI and automation, aligned with scientific, portfolio and business priorities and developed in formal partnership with ViiV Digital & Technology.

• Translate R&D priorities into a sequenced, multi-year capability and investment roadmap covering business outcomes, milestones, funding needs, dependencies, named business owners, adoption expectations and measures of success; partner with ViiV Digital & Technology to translate this into the technology roadmap, technical dependencies and delivery sequence

• Partner with R&D leaders to identify and prioritise opportunities across Discovery, Development, Regulatory, CMC, Data & AI and operational processes where technology can improve speed, quality, productivity or decision-making.

• Provide strategic sponsorship and integrated portfolio oversight for the R&D technology portfolio, including prioritisation, leadership engagement, investment recommendations, value realisation and escalation of material risks or delivery issues, while ViiV Digital & Technology remains accountable for the technology roadmap and delivery sequencing.

• Represent and advocate for ViiV R&D at portfolio and sponsorship level within GSK R&D technology strategy, governance and platform investment, ensuring alignment between enterprise roadmaps and critical ViiV milestones

• Align clear governance and decision rights across ViiV R&D, ViiV Digital & Technology and GSK R&D and GSK R&D Technology, including pathways for demand identification, prioritisation, funding, delivery, adoption and value realisation

• Decide build, buy, partner or fast-follow pathways on the basis of a jointly governed evaluation informed by recommendations and input from ViiV Digital & Technology and Procurement partners.

• Secure and allocate funding for the R&D technology portfolio, including GSK investment decisions, ViiV funding decisions, and the negotiation, review and renewal of ViiV-funded ring-fenced capacity within GSK

• Define the R&D data strategy and business priorities required to improve access to trusted, contextualised and reusable data for scientific insight, analytics, AI and portfolio decision-making; own ontology creation, data acquisition priorities and knowledge graph requirements that connect R&D data across the discovery-to-development lifecycle.

• Ensure the implementation of the responsible application of AI and advanced analytics across R&D, requiring clear intended use, scientific and business value, named business ownership, human oversight, data requirements, monitoring, traceability and escalation, and partnering with accountable technology, privacy, legal, compliance, cybersecurity, GxP and Responsible AI teams to apply appropriate governance and controls.

• Accountable for process redesign, adoption and digital fluency across R&D, delivered through a dedicated internal team and a network of champions across R&D, so that new capabilities are embedded into ways of working and deliver measurable, sustained outcomes.

• Develop KPIs, scorecards and value-realisation measures to track portfolio progress, technology delivery progress, adoption, benefits, risks and strategic alignment; lead regular reviews that support acceleration, continuation, re-scoping, deprioritisation or stopping decisions; and provide clear updates to the R&D Leadership Team.

• Build productive partnerships with internal technology organisations, CROs, external providers, biotechnology companies and academic collaborators to understand market capabilities, assess options and accelerate strategic priorities, in coordination with ViiV Digital & Technology and Procurement.

• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing, lean team and matrixed network capable of combining scientific understanding, technology strategy, portfolio thinking and execution discipline.

• Create clear, compelling communications that explain the R&D data and technology strategy, priorities, choices and value to senior internal and external stakeholders.

We are looking for a strategic, scientifically curious and execution-focused technology leader who can connect R&D ambition with practical capability, influence enterprise partners and convert a complex opportunity landscape into a focused portfolio and measurable business outcomes without adding unnecessary process.

Why You?

Basic QualificationWe are seeking professionals with the following required skills and qualifications to help us achieve our goals:

• Master's degree in Life Sciences OR Data Science OR Computer Science OR Engineering OR Information Technology
• 12+ years' experience in pharmaceutical OR biotechnology OR healthcare technology OR life-sciences consulting

• Experience in pharmaceutical R&D and the application of data, digital platforms, analytics, AI and automation across scientific and development workflows

• Experience defining and executing enterprise or business-unit data, digital, technology or AI strategies and multi-year investment plans.

• Experience translating business and scientific priorities to advise on investment choices, prioritization decisions and measurable outcomes

• Experience collaborating with Technology functions to ensure products and programs shipped reflect technical feasibility

• Experience prioritising a portfolio under real funding and capacity constraint, including deprioritisation and stopping work

• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives across business, scientific, data and technology organisations in a global matrix

• Experience working with senior stakeholders, establish governance and decision rights, and mobilise partners without relying on direct authority

• Experience deciding build, buy or partner decisions

• Experience with risk assessment and balancing innovation, pace, value, feasibility and control requirements

• Experience with communicating scientific and technical concepts into decisions, actions and executive communications
• Experience building teams and developing capabilities across direct reports and matrixed networks

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

• PhD, PharmD, MBA or equivalent advanced degree

• Strategic or management consultancy experience

• Deep knowledge of data platforms, scientific computing, advanced analytics, machine learning, generative AI and emerging R&D technologies

• Experience with implementing technology governance in regulated environments, including collaboration with tech, cybersecurity, privacy, GxP and Responsible AI functions

• Experience operating within a shared-services or vendor model, where core technology is provided by a parent or partner organisation

• Experience in virology, immunology, translational research or clinical development

• Experience managing strategic external technology partnerships, vendors or alternative delivery models

• Experience developing investment cases, portfolio scenarios, KPIs and benefits-realisation frameworks for technology-enabled transformation
• High emotional intelligence, organisational awareness, learning agility and resilience in fast-moving, ambiguous environments
• Influences and collaborates with a credible senior presence across scientific, business and technology communities

• Builds trust, connection and alignment behind shared enterprise goals and clear decision principles

• Combines scientific curiosity and technology fluency with pragmatic commercial and operational judgement

• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style, fostering high-performing teams and strong matrixed partnerships

• Resilient, responsive and adaptable in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and inspires the same in others

• Enterprise mindset with the ability to balance strategic vision, innovation, governance and practical execution

• Self-starter who anticipates emerging opportunities, challenges assumptions and converts insight into focused action

#LI-ViiV

#LI-GSK

Skills
Biotechnology, Business Strategies, Cell Biology, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Drug Discovery Process, Influencing Without Authority, Interpersonal Communication, Life Science, Market Opportunities, Matrix Leadership, Molecular Biology, Scientific Research, Scientific Writing, Strategic Alignment

Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program ViiV offers US employees. All ViiV employees receive the same benefits options and plans as GSK employee.