Global C&Q Director

The Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering; Brentford, Barnard Castle, Irvine; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharma company is seeking a Global C&Q Director to drive strategies and manage the execution of commissioning and qualification projects. You will ensure that all systems and processes meet rigorous regulatory standards, collaborating with various teams to enhance operational compliance. The ideal candidate will possess an engineering degree, extensive project management experience, and the ability to lead diverse teams towards common goals. This role offers a hybrid working model based in the UK.

Qualifications

• Extensive project validation experience in pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Proven track record of managing regulatory audits.
• Strong understanding of the capital project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead global C&Q strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee planning and execution of C&Q projects.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Skills

Leadership skills

Project management skills

Technical expertise

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Civil/Structural)

Job description

Global C&Q Director

Business Introduction

GSK remains committed to achieving bold commercial ambitions for the future. By 2031, we aim to deliver £40 billion in annual sales, leveraging our existing strong performance momentum to significantly increase our positive impact on the health of billions of patients globally. Our Ahead Together strategy is centred on early intervention to prevent and alter the course of disease, thereby protecting people and supporting healthcare systems. Our diverse portfolio consists of vaccines, specialty medicines, and general medicines. Through continuous innovation and a dedicated focus on scientific and technical excellence, we strive to develop and launch new, groundbreaking treatments that address critical health challenges.

Position Summary

The Global C&Q Director will lead and manage the consistent deployment of best in class capability and capacity of commissioning and qualification activities within the project portfolio under the accountability of Global Capital Projects group (GCP). This role is responsible for ensuring that all project equipment, systems, and processes consistently meet regulatory and company standards to ensure product quality and patient safety. The Global C&Q Director will work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, quality assurance, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs, to ensure the delivery of compliant and efficient commissioning and qualification programs. They will work to establish strong partnerships for efficient deployment of C&Q capability and resources across all geographies.

The Global C&Q Director will drive towards best in class practices leveraging digital and AI to continuously improve and drive superior performance within commissioning and qualification of large capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Strategy:
  • Support the development and implement global C&Q strategies, policies, and procedures based on company standards and prevailing regulations.
  • Provide leadership and direction to regional/project C&Q teams to ensure consistent application of standards and practices.
  • Collaborate with senior management to align C&Q activities with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Project Management:
  • Oversee the planning, execution, and completion of C&Q projects across multiple projects.
  • Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Provide technical guidance and support for C&Q activities, including risk assessments, protocol development, and execution.
• Quality and Compliance:
  • Ensure that all C&Q activities comply with GSK's quality management system and applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA, MHRA).
  • Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance C&Q processes and outcomes.
• Team Development:
  • Support the recruitment, training, and mentoring of C&Q staff to build a high-performing global team.
  • Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback to support professional growth.
  • Be a global team ambassador to the local site project environment.
  • Act as a visible advocate for diversity in engineering and project delivery.
  • Act as a visible advocate for GSK Safety Life Saving Rules.
• Stakeholder Management:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, contractors, and regulatory agencies.

Qualifications/Skills

Basic Qualifications:

• Engineering degree (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Civil/Structural).
• Extensive project validation experience and proven experience in leading validation teams in pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and managing global C&Q projects across all geographies and end-to-end.
• Proven track record of regulatory authority audit participation and defence of validation project plans and results.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g., GMP, GAMP, ICH guidelines).
• Experience in biopharm specific unit operations and platforms drug substance/primary, DP/sterile filling, and packaging.
• Strong project management skills, with experience in managing complex, multi-site projects.
• Deep and broad understanding of the capital project lifecycle design, construction, commissioning, qualification, to operation.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capabilities
• Leadership skills that enable the introduction of new ways of working and accelerated change management.
• Must be able to interact well with peers, subordinates, and senior personnel in scientific, engineering, and operational disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to participate as a leader or member on cross-functional and self-directed work teams.
• Must be comfortable and thrive in ambiguity and think strategically to solve complex problems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters in Engineering, Professional Engineer, MBA, CSP, or PMP.
• Collaboration and participation in industry best-practice guidelines and knowledge sharing groups.
• Excellent management, communication and interpersonal skills, with comfort cooperating with individuals internally and externally at all organisational levels.
• Understanding of how different functions interface on GSK projects.
• Solid knowledge of GSK project process, User requirement management, quality and compliance requirement, site project completion and pre-start processes, and how these impact engineering and design, construction, commissioning, and qualification contracts
• Familiar with the GCP Project Management Framework (PMF), relevant engineering standards and compliance requirement as well as Quality Management Systems

Work Location:

This role will preferably be based at any major European or UK-based GSK manufacturing hub on a case-by-case basis and offers a hybrid working model, combining on-site and remote work.

Closing Date for Applications:

7th January 2026

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.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we're committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at [e-mail] where you can also request a call.

Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide. Link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive.

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