Basic qualifications: 
• M.D., PhD, or MD/PhD degree
• 10 years pharmaceutical or relevant medical/clinical experience
• Keen understanding of translational medicine and its role in drug development
• Experience with translational investigation of cell-based therapy, cancer immunotherapies and/or cancer epigenetics modifiers is a plus.
• Relevant experience in translational medicine, companion diagnosis, and early phase drug development is an advantage
• Demonstrated track record of successfully developing and executing Translational Medicine Plan in supporting oncology drug development
• Proven ability to strategize, prioritize, and manage multiple projects simultaneously to ensure quality, timely, on-target and within budget accomplishment of tasks.
• Managerial experience with demonstrated track record of successfully managing high-performance cross-functional matrix teams in a complex organization
• Ability to lead strategic thinking
• Ability to discriminate between critical and non-critical activities and to follow established processes while identifying areas for process improvement
• Attention to detail with excellent planning, time management and organizational skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, high- level negotiation skills and the ability to resolve conflict in a constructive manner

Preferred qualifications: 
As above

Details: 
Immuno-Oncology, Oncology Cell Therapy, and Cancer Epigenetics are the three strategic research areas of GSK Oncology R&D.
• GSK Immuno-Oncology is exploring the utility of 4 different modalities in augmenting host anti-cancer immunity —monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), bi-specific antibodies, small molecules, and cellular therapies. The anti-BCMA antibody-drug conjugate has demonstrated unprecedented efficacy (~60% overall response rate) in refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma. Other lead assets in Immuno-Oncology include the first-in-class anti-ICOS agonist antibody, anti-OX-40 (CD134) agonist antibody, and TLR4 agonist.
• The newly established OCT Discovery Performance Unit (DPU) is focusing on developing cell-based therapeutics for treating various oncologic and hematologic indications. GSK recently excised the early opt-in option for an investigational NY-ESO-1 TCR-modified T cell therapy from AdaptImmune. This novel cell therapy delivered a 50% ORR in synovial sarcoma, and it being investigated in multiple other solid tumors. The asset was designated as Breakthrough Therapy by the US FDA, as well as PRIME status by EMA.
• GSK Cancer Epigenetics develops drug to modulate chromatin and DNA to modulate broad gene expression and treat cancer, and has one of the most extensive clinical stage pipeline in cancer epigenetics including inhibitors of BET, LSD1, and PRMT5. In addition, there are 2 near clinical stage assets in Cancer Epigenetics portfolio.
The Head of Experimental Medicine Unit (EMU)  is a member of the Oncology TA leadership team  (this is a VP level position reporting to the SVP Oncology) and will lead translational medicine teams and is accountable for strategizing and executing the personalized medicine efforts to support all investigational anti-cancer agents from FTIH to POC and registration. This person will be responsible for providing biomarker discovery and companion diagnosis guidance for activities from Candidate Selection through to POC and registration.
This  is also accountable for fostering the collaborations with sites in the Oncology Clinical and Translational Consortium (OCTC), a network of premium cancer centers around the world, to leverage external research resources to advance biomarker and translational research of GSK oncology assets.
Part of the EMU merit is to incubate new scientific concepts and assets that fall in the larger GSK oncology vision but not immediately within the 3 existing DPUs. One of such examples is targeting and modifying tumor microenvironment to further enhance treatment efficacy of cancer immunotherapy

The Head of the Experimental Medical Unit (EMU) will lead the translational medicine effort to support asset development in Immuno-Oncology (IO), Oncology Cell Therapy (OCT), and Cancer Epigenetics (CE).  The EMU is a newly established unit within GSK Oncology Therapeutic Area and focuses on the following efforts.
• Coordinating execution of clinical biomarker programs for all Oncology clinical assets
• Enabling of rational asset combinations across DPUs driven by biomarkers
• Leveraging of the OCTC centers to function as preferred collaborators
• Developing companion diagnostic
• Supporting biomarker-driven new clinical designs (e.g. platform and basket trials)
• Incubating new programs fitting the TA strategy but not within the remit of an existing DPU
• Centralizing human subject sample handling and vendor buying power
In close collaboration with TA Clinical and emerging MDTs, EMU will play a vital role in utilizing personalized medicine approach to expedite the development of innovative therapeutics for treating various oncologic and hematologic indications.

*LI-GSK
Please use the cover letter to highlight how you meet the qualifications and competencies for the role. Your CV along with your cover letter will be used to assess your application.