
Strategy and Operations Lead
GlaxoSmithKline · UK – London – New Oxford Street
Applications are made on GlaxoSmithKline's own site. We never sit in the middle.
Job description
At GSK, we unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We are a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We’re proud to be leading a healthcare revolution, and we’re looking for people who can help us deliver on our ambition. Role Overview The Strategy & Operations Lead for Global Supply Chain Digital and Tech team is a senior leadership role acting as the Operational Lead for Global Supply Chain Digital and Technology function, responsible for driving strategic planning, portfolio management, business operations, organisational effectiveness, change leadership, culture, and communications across the Global Supply Chain Digital & Technology organisation. As a trusted advisor to the SVP of GSC D&T, this role ensures the successful translation of strategy into execution by owning the operating model and rhythms of the function, and leading the PMO that orchestrates programs, products and transformation initiatives, aligning organisational priorities, workforce and resource plans, investment decisions, operating rhythms, and transformation initiatives. The incumbent will establish governance frameworks, oversee strategic portfolios, run the day-to-day business operations of the function, and foster a high-performance culture that enables the organisation to deliver business value at scale. The role partners closely with senior leaders across Digital & Technology, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, and external partners to drive operational excellence, organisational effectiveness, and sustainable business growth. In this role you will Strategy & Organisational Planning Partner with the SVP and leadership team to define and execute the organisation's strategic priorities and multi-year roadmap. Translate business strategy into actionable plans, goals, and measurable outcomes. Lead annual strategic planning, operating planning, and business review processes. Identify emerging trends, opportunities, risks, and capability requirements that impact organizational performance and future readiness. Provide strategic insights and recommendations to support executive decision-making. Act as the Operational Lead for GSC D&T, ensuring that strategy, operating plans, and priorities are fully reflected in the function’s governance, investments decisions and execution plans. Use AI and automation tools to drive simplification for the department. Portfolio Management Establish and lead portfolio governance across strategic initiatives, programs, products, and transformation efforts. Drive prioritization and investment decisions to maximize business value and strategic outcomes. Set investment and value policy for the function, be accountable to the SVP for realised value, hold benefit owners to account, and recommend stop, continue or redirect on evidence. Develop executive dashboards and reporting mechanisms that provide transparency on portfolio health and organisational performance. Lead the team in using approved AI tools to improve productivity and ways of working, role-modelling responsible use and follow GSK’s Responsible AI, privacy and security requirements. Anticipate any risks and address them to the leadership; ensure migitation plan is in place Facilitate leadership reviews and governance forums to ensure alignment, accountability, and execution excellence. Ensure PMO practices support reliable delivery, risk management, and benefit realization across digital, technology and supply chain transformation portfolios. Set the planning and RAID standards for the function and be accountable for portfolio-level delivery performance, including recovering off-track work. Business Operations & Change Leadership Lead business operations processes including annual operating plans, performance management, workforce planning, budget oversight, and business reviews. Own the function's capability budget and supplier performance, and agree investment trade-offs with Finance. Establish effective governance structures, operating rhythms, decision-making forums, and leadership cadences. Drive organizational transformation and change management initiatives to support evolving business priorities and operating models. Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation and adoption of strategic initiatives. Identify operational challenges and opportunities for continuous improvement, simplification, and increased organisational effectiveness. Monitor key performance indicators and drive corrective actions as required. Be accountable for control effectiveness and assurance across the function, escalating to leadership and audit, proportionate to a regulated GxP environment. Coordinate and align operational activities (governance forums, reviews, routines) across product lines, regions and partner teams to ensure seamless execution. Resource Strategy & Organisational Effectiveness Lead resource and capacity planning to ensure alignment between strategic priorities and workforce investments. Partner with Finance, HR, business and other Digital and Tech Teams to develop resourcing strategies that support growth and transformation objectives. Develop workforce plans and sourcing strategies across internal talent, contingent workforce, strategic partners, and external service providers. Evaluate organisational structures and capabilities to ensure alignment with strategic goals and future business needs. Drive workforce optimisation and capability-building initiatives. Ensure resource and organisational design decisions enable effective execution of the GSC D&T operating model and portfolio obligations. Culture, Communications & Employee Engagement Champion a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative culture across the organisation. Develop and execute communication strategies that effectively articulate organisational vision, priorities, and accomplishments. Drive leadership communications, including town halls, leadership forums, business updates, and employee engagement activities. Partner with HR and leadership teams to strengthen employee engagement, recognition, development, and retention initiatives. Support executive storytelling and preparation of strategic communications and presentations for senior stakeholders. Promote transparency, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning across the organisation. Own the engagement agenda for GSC D&T, ensuring consistent employee experience, leadership visibility and effective change communication across locations and teams. Leadership & Stakeholder Management Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the SVP and leadership team. Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive alignment and collaboration. Influence decision-making across a complex, global, matrixed organisation. Lead and develop high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Represent the organization in executive-level governance forums and enterprise initiatives. Act as the operational integrator for GSC D&T, ensuring leadership decisions are translated into clear operational actions, accountabilities, and outcomes. Why you? Basic Qualifications: We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Technology, Supply Chain or related area. Experience within Digital & Technology, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Consumer Goods. Strong understanding of portfolio governance, organisational effectiveness, workforce planning, and change management methodologies. Experience supporting large-scale digital, technology, or supply chain transformation initiatives. Knowledge of resource planning, global sourcing strategies, and external workforce management. Preferred S
Other jobs you might want
GlaxoSmithKline
Site Forward Deployed Engineer
UK - County Durham - Barnard Castle
GlaxoSmithKline
Site Forward Deployed Engineer
UK - Hertfordshire - Ware
GlaxoSmithKline
Data Engineer
UK – London – New Oxford Street
GlaxoSmithKline
Senior Product Manager, Manufacturing Technologies
UK – London – New Oxford Street
GlaxoSmithKline
Insights and Analytics Manager, Europe & International, ViiV
UK – London – New Oxford Street
GlaxoSmithKline
Global Procurement Senior Manager, Facilities Management
UK – London – New Oxford Street