Head of Technology Business Operations

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting-edge technology to transform people’s lives. We foster a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing.

About the role

Reporting to the SVP, Chief Technology Officer, you will take ownership of key cross-functional strategic planning for Digital Platforms & Tech Foundations (DPTF). You will develop, build, and govern a multi-year transformation program that keeps DPTF ahead in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. In this highly visible role, you will own and be accountable for Digital & Tech’s portfolio of Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestment programs, while driving efficiencies across business operations, Agile standards, and portfolio management. You will establish clear, ongoing command and control over core financial and governance processes. We value clear communicators who lead with empathy, act with integrity, and focus on impact for patients and science.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate DPTF strategy — define, communicate, and deliver the DPTF strategy underpinning the overall Digital & Tech strategy, from Front Line Services through the full technical infrastructure stack of Hosting and into leading-edge Enterprise Data & Analytics platforms; build strategic relationships with BU Tech Leads, R&D, Global Supply Chain, Commercial and Medical, Cyber Security, Global Risk and Compliance, and the Office of the CDTO to ensure alignment across Digital & Tech.
• Lead cross-functional program management — drive all cross-functional DPTF programs, reducing risk and assuring successful outcomes across Tech- and enterprise-wide initiatives that require frequent senior stakeholder engagement and tight dependency management.
• Scale agile delivery — lead, scale, and manage agile delivery across the DPTF organization, setting up and facilitating agile release trains, continuously improving agile ways of working, and embedding DevOps tooling and practice within DPTF and across Digital & Tech.
• Lead Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestments — lead and deliver the Digital & Tech M&A&D portfolio, with oversight of other Tech groups, to drive efficient end-to-end technology integration that supports GSK’s advancing business model.
• Run the Portfolio Management Office — run a value- and agile-driven PMO covering governance, planning, reporting, change control, quality, risk management, and key performance indicators; drive business-value-led decision-making, accountability, and oversight across the portfolio, embedding robust standards and maturing the portfolio through performance management and continuous improvement.
• Govern contractual and finance operations — define, deliver, and govern all business services across DPTF for approximately 400 employees, £150 million in vendor contracts, and an overall budget of £205 million.
• Act as Chief of Staff to the CTO — define and lead leadership team meetings, act as second in command, lead special projects, and define objectives and measures for the team.
• Collaborate across the enterprise — build and maintain relationships in and outside Digital & Tech with key stakeholders including the CFO, CISO, the Office of the CDTO, other Tech LT members, senior leadership across the business, and external partners.
• Lead people and culture — define, lead, and drive cultural initiatives across DPTF, leading the culture and engagement program so everyone in the organization can thrive and bring their best selves to work; directly manage approximately 25 employees, establishing clear accountabilities and objectives for direct reports and coaching to maximize performance and potential.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Significant experience leading large-scale sourcing, technology, or business service delivery programs across multiple countries and regions.
• History of managing and overseeing the performance of external suppliers, vendors, or service partners.
• Proven experience with financial management, budgeting, governance, and operational oversight.
• Experience partnering with senior executives, including C-suite leaders, and external professional services or audit firms.
• Background in leading teams and delivering results within complex, matrixed organizations.
• Experience managing global teams across multiple geographic locations and cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and make decisions in fast-paced, business-critical environments.

Qualifications

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Business, Technology, or a related field.
• Experience running a Portfolio Management Office, including governance, reporting, and portfolio performance management on an enterprise scale.
• Experience leading or supporting Mergers, Acquisitions, or Divestment programs within a Technology organization.
• Experience operating as Chief of Staff, or in a similarly close advisory capacity, to a senior executive.
• Familiarity with scaled agile frameworks (e.g., SAFe).
• Experience within a global pharmaceutical, life sciences, or other highly regulated organization.

Skills

• CI/CD
• Cloud Based Services
• Configuration Management (CM)
• Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)
• Disaster Recovery (DR)
• Financial Operations
• Identity Access Management (IAM)
• Incident Management
• Operating Systems (OS)
• Performance Tuning
• Scripting
• System Monitors
• Vulnerability Management

Benefits

Please visit the GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.