Role Overview

Reporting to the SVP, Head of R&D in ViiV Healthcare, this role ensures that human biology, mechanistic insight, and data-driven evidence are embedded at the heart of R&D decision-making.

This leader is responsible for defining and executing the end-to-end translational strategy across the HIV portfolio, and will act as the critical integrator across ViiV and GSK Research and Development, enabling the translation of scientific discovery into differentiated medicines that address global health needs in HIV.

Operating at the intersection of anti-viral, immunology, bioinformatics, data science, statistics, modeling and simulation and clinical development, the leader will lead how translational insights inform the HIV portfolio prioritization, creative and accelerated trial design, and improving probability of technical and regulatory success, in line with ViiV’s ambition to deliver high-impact innovations for patients.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Translational Strategy

• Define and implement a translational research vision and roadmap for HIV from therapeutic to remission to cure.
• Embed translational science as a core decision engine across the R&D lifecycle (molecule and formulation selection  → clinical proof-of-concept → lifecycle management)
• Drive data-driven portfolio decisions using modeling and simulation, anti-viral data, biomarkers, and multi-omics evidence

Portfolio Impact & Decision Enablement

• Serve as the primary source of mechanistic and translational confidence for asset progression, termination, and business development
• Lead development and deployment of biomarker strategies (predictive, pharmacodynamic, safety)
• Enable early risk reduction and probability-of-success modeling across programs

Clinical Translation & Trial Innovation

• Partner with Clinical Development to design innovative, hypothesis-driven clinical trials
• Integrate viral dynamic modeling, systems immunology and real-world data into study design and endpoints
• Advance patient-centric immune profiling strategies to guide the HIV remission and cure strategy

Data, Platforms & Technology Leadership

• Build and scale multi-modal data ecosystems
• Drive adoption of AI/ML and bioinformatics to enhance translational insights
• Ensure integration of platform sciences (PK/PD, biomarkers) into development strategies

External Innovation & Partnerships

• Establish and lead strategic collaborations with academia, consortia, and health systems as needed
• Access and leverage global datasets and biobanks to generate differentiated insights
• Act as a scientific ambassador, influencing industry direction and regulatory thinking

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partners across Research, Clinical, Regulatory, Commercial, and Business Development
• Ensure seamless integration of translational strategy into clinical execution and regulatory submissions
• Influence senior stakeholders and governance bodies to drive timely, high-quality decisions

Organizational Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing translational research organization (~10+ scientists) including clinical pharmacology and statistics, as well as a larger matrix team within GSK
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and accountability
• Developing next-generation leaders and critical capabilities in translational science

Operational & Financial Accountability

• Own translational research budget, infrastructure, and resourcing strategy
• Optimize internal vs. external delivery models
• Align investments with portfolio priorities and enterprise value creation

Scope & Impact

• Direct influence on clinical pipeline progression, regulatory success, and major product launches
• High-impact leadership role with enterprise-wide visibility and decision authority
• Accountable for enabling multiple high-value HIV programs through development

• MD, PharmD, PhD or MSc in a related field within anti-viral or immunology therapeutic research
• Over 15 years experience in academic or biopharma research
• Demonstrated success advancing assets from early discovery through clinical development
• Experience of building and leading global, multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of influencing peers and stakeholders
• Expertise in:
  • Immunology and infectious disease biology
  • Statistic and clinical trial design
  • Biomarker development and validation
  • Clinical pharmacology (PK/PD, MIDD, QSP)
• Understanding of end-to-end development and regulatory requirements
• Experience of collaborating across complex matrix organizations
• Experience shaping R&D strategy and governance decisions
• Ability to synthesize complex, multi-dimensional data into clear decisions
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritizing investments, and balancing risk
• Experience with publications, speaking engagements, and industry engagement
• Recognized as a thought leader in translational science

Skills

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.

Why Us?

At ViiV Healthcare, we will not rest until we leave no person living with HIV behind. Until the 40 million people living with HIV is down to zero, we will continue searching for new ways to limit the impact of HIV. 

We are the only pharmaceutical company solely focused on combating, preventing, and ultimately eradicating HIV and AIDS. At ViiV Healthcare, we do things differently. Born out of a partnership between GSK and Pfizer in 2009, with Shionogi joining in 2012, we are determined to help end the HIV epidemic. We are guided by our mission to leave no person living with HIV behind and it is this mission that unites our employees located across the globe. We combine expertise in research, manufacturing, policy and more to push the boundaries of what people think is possible in HIV treatment and care. As a result of our connection with GSK, we are able to draw on their proud history and resources. This means that you would receive all the employee benefits offered by GSK.

Living our mission of leaving no person living with HIV behind means keeping inclusion and diversity at the heart of everything we do - from our breakthrough innovation, to our diverse portfolio of medicines as well as the work we do to partner with HIV communities.

Having a truly inclusive culture where we’re all able to be ourselves and feel like we belong will make us an even stronger team, better able to perform as a business and deliver on our mission to leave no person living with HIV behind.

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the appropriate Recruitment Staff by emailing us at - [email protected]

ViiV 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.

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