VP, Asia Development Sciences

Job Title: VP, Asia Development Sciences Head   

Grade: G3  

Location: Singapore 

Function: Research & Development (Development Sciences) 

Line Manager: VP, Head of Development Sciences, Robert Reynolds 

Purpose  

The Head of Asia Development Sciences (Asia DevSci) provides senior scientific and strategic leadership for Development Sciences capabilities across Asia, ensuring region‑specific evidence generation, quantitative science, and data strategy are fully integrated into Asia R&D decision‑making. This role accelerates development programmes by embedding Development Sciences capabilities early and consistently across the pipeline, with particular focus on China and Asia‑Pacific innovation ecosystems, external partnerships, and regionally relevant evidence strategies. The role is a key member of the Development Sciences Leadership Team and acts as the primary DevSci interface into Asia R&D, China Development, Japan Development, and other regional Asian partners. 

Key Responsibilities  

Regional DevSci Leadership 

• Lead and shape the Asia Development Sciences group, providing scientific direction, accountability, and talent development aligned to the DevSci operating model. 

• Own delivery of Development Sciences support across Asia‑based programmes and assets, ensuring high‑quality, timely, and decision‑enabling outputs, with priority on China and Japan. 

• Recruit, develop and coach senior DevSci talent and ensure appropriate resource allocation across regional programmes. 

Strategic Evidence & Quantitative Science 

• Drive regionally relevant epidemiology, RWE strategy, real‑world statistics and quantitative sciences to inform early and late development decisions. 

• Partner with Global DevSci leads to align Asia evidence strategies with global development, regulatory, and market access requirements. 

• Champion robust study design, modelling and integrated evidence approaches to de‑risk development decisions. 

Asia R&D & External Ecosystem Integration 

• Act as senior DevSci partner to Asia R&D leadership (Translation, Early Development, CPMS, Clinical Development). 

• Build and oversee strategic external partnerships across Asia (data providers, academic centres, healthcare systems) to strengthen translational and RWE capabilities. 

• Advise on regional scientific collaborations and public‑private partnership opportunities. 

Regulatory & Market Enablement 

• Ensure DevSci inputs support global and regional regulatory strategies, particularly for China, Japan and other priority Asia markets. 

• Provide expert leadership on region‑specific disease burden, unmet need and contextual evidence required for development, approval and market access. 

Operating Model & Capability Build 

• Implement the DevSci expert‑led, project‑first operating model within Asia to ensure efficient deployment of specialist expertise. 

• Lead capability building in data strategy, advanced analytics, modelling and integrated evidence generation. 

• Establish standards, SOPs and best practices for regional DevSci deliverables. 

Enterprise Leadership 

• Represent Asia Development Sciences in enterprise forums, governance boards and portfolio discussions as required. 

• Contribute to the long‑term DevSci strategy, ways of working and capability roadmap across Asia and with Global partners. 

• Role model GSK’s values, compliance, and high standards of scientific and ethical conduct. 

Qualifications 

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD or equivalent) in epidemiology, statistics, biomedical science or related field. 

• Significant leadership experience in Development Sciences, Epidemiology, RWE, Statistics or Quantitative Sciences within pharma/biotech. 

• Experience working with Asia R&D ecosystems, ideally including China and Japan. 

• Proven ability to operate at enterprise/executive level and influence strategy across complex, matrixed organisations. 

Minimum level of job‑related experience 

• Minimum 5 years applied epidemiology, real‑world data and evidence experience. 

• Minimum 10 years leading development or quantitative sciences function(s). 

• Awareness of global/major market regulatory guidelines and experience supporting regulatory submissions with RWE. 

• Multi‑site global matrix leadership experience with expertise in China, Japan and Asia environments. 

• Demonstrated ability to influence across R&D and enterprise leadership, implement standards, and deliver measurable outcomes. 

Other job‑related skills / background 

• Strong understanding of non‑interventional/observational studies, electronic patient records and clinical research processes across disease areas. 

• Broad knowledge of R&D functions and phases, regulatory submission processes, and commercial/major market needs. 

• Track record using RWE for regulatory purposes and shaping evidence strategies to enable approvals and access. 

• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and change leadership skills in dynamic, matrixed settings. 

• Proven ability to attract/retain senior technical talent in competitive markets. 

• Strong academic record and sound technical and business judgment. 

Why you? 

• You combine scientific credibility with enterprise leadership and a pragmatic delivery mindset. 

• You are experienced navigating China/Japan regulatory and ecosystem complexities and can build scalable regional capability. 

• You are a compelling communicator who can influence at all levels and foster a high‑performing, collaborative culture. 

Compliance and Accountability 

• Accountability for setting and role‑modelling the highest standards of compliance, ethics and integrity. 

• Ensure full compliance with GSK policies, local laws and regulatory requirements in all activities. 

• Embed governance, risk‑management and proactive compliance oversight into regional DevSci operations.