Site Engagement Leader

Job description

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. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success. We’re uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more: Our approach to R&D Job title: Site Engagement Leader Work area: Italy Domicile: Northern Italy Employment type: Permanent, full-time Closing date for applications: 9 August 2026 Position Summary Through his/her leadership, the Site Engagement Leader is accountable for developing, managing and overseeing long-term and strong relationships with strategically and operationally important sites and institutions. It includes building and enhancing the image and reputation of GSK with sites locally and providing an interface between GSK and the sites to create an optimal clinical trials environment to generate results in a timely manner with high quality outputs. Responsibilities Contribute to the development of the Partnership Engagement and Excellence in Research known as the “PEER Site Network”, acting as the main point of contact between GSK and sites: in the Network SEL will identify external organizations / institutions and evaluate their interest to build and develop networks with GSK on a local, national or international basis. Lead the development and expansion of institutions / sites building and nurturing relationships across site types, including academic centers, community practices and emerging site models that support delivery of the GSK R&D portfolio; develop the GSK portfolio of clinical investigator sites through partnerships to attract more studies in the country, ensuring development, co-ordination and oversight of partnership activities conducted with institutions / sites where high potential of patient recruitment, quality of data and technical support exist. Provide feedback to Leadership, LOC MED, and the LOC regarding the development of new partnerships and updates to existing ones; Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with investigators, research coordinators, and site leadership. Drive performance, by putting in place mutually agreed KPI targets (quality and performance) and organizing regular, periodic performance reviews with the different external partners (i.e PEER network) track compliance with mutually agreed action plans, implementing targeted solutions to reduce cycle times across the study lifecycle and optimize enrolment; participate in/lead site visits to deliver targeted operational support and address site-specific challenges. Work closely with sites and with all members of the LOC Clinical Operations Department to proactively identify bottlenecks at both the study and site level and any risks to quality and compliance and to develop and implement mitigation plans to address these risks, supporting corrective actions to ensure successful outcomes Collaborate with planning and Feasibility teams, Clinical Operations and Medical Affairs to drive optimal site placement and study performance; can lead / contribute to high level country feasibilities for new TAs and support the local teams with feasibilities and partner with cross functional teams to optimize site activation timelines (regulatory packets, budgets/CTAs, onboarding, training) as appropriate. Drive adoption of enterprise and other digital and centralized solutions (e.g., eConsent, eReg, remote SIVs, EMR- based identification and remote EMR monitoring access) Conduct an ongoing environmental strategic surveillance and anticipate the legislative and practical evolution of sites and R&D in the country and use those insights to design and curate innovative and efficient partnerships. Give an operational vision of the future GSK clinical research therapeutic areas and GSK portfolio (collaborating with Local Medical Affairs (LOC MED)) to key external stakeholders to anticipate partnerships and to help research institutions and sites better prepare the arrival of clinical trials. Provide strategic input for operational excellence, process efficiency and trial delivery both internally and externally; identify and share best practices at internal cross functional process improvement teams, contributing to efficient and consistent ways of working to optimizing quality and productivity across LOC / region / global site network as appropriate. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports. Why you? Basic Qualifications & Skills We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals: Bachelor’s degree in related discipline, preferably in life science, or equivalent experience Minimum 5 years’ experience in clinical research operations Proficient knowledge of the Drug Development Process Excellent understanding of the Clinical Study Process, including monitoring Excellent communication skills in English and Italian, both written and spoken. Solid digital skills, including confident use of modern collaboration tools and digital platforms (e.g. AI tools). Preferred Qualifications & Skills If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus: Demonstrated track record of establishing and growing partnerships with strategic sites / institutions Strong client relationship and stakeholder management abilities Solid knowledge of and enthusiasm for digital solutions and technology; experience helping others on their digital and technology growth journeys Experience in designing, creating, and developing new and innovative ways of working (both across functions and externally) Demonstrated knowledge of industry trends, with the ability to anticipate the evolution of clinical research and to propose strategic plans to optimize delivery Strong analytical and synthesis skills, including data story-telling Adaptability and a bias for action; anticipates and recognizes potential and present obstacles and proactively works to prevent, overcome and/or resolve them Approaches change positively, helping self, team, and the business adapt. Views change as an opportunity to enhance performance and deliver added value. Acquire and maintain therapeutic area and product knowledge across GSK portfolio Agility to adapt to evolving strategic, operational, and pipeline landscapes What We Offer: Performance Reward Flexible Benefits Company Healthcare Plan Integrative pension fund Company car Employee Assistance Programme Tax assistance Personal parcel delivery service Local nursery agreement Free Company canteen Coffee Corners Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert. When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application. Skills Agile Thinking, Business Acumen, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Clinical Trial Designs, Communication, Decision Making, Fostering Collaboration, Influencing Without Authority, Pharmaceutical Industry Italian Salary Range / Fascia retributiva in Italia: EUR 60,000 to EUR 100,000The annual gross base salary range for new hires in this position is listed above for each applicable location. These ranges take into account a number of factors including the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position may offer an annual bonus and eligibility to