GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a place where ideas come to life. As one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical companies, GSK is dedicated to delivering products and medicines that help millions of people around the world do more, feel better and live longer.
Based in the UK, but with operations in the US and 117 other countries worldwide, GSK make almost 4 billion packs of medicine and healthcare products every year, with turnover of £22.7 billion in 2007. And much of this is thanks to an extensive product range that includes everything from prescription medicines to popular consumer healthcare products.
So while some people depend on GSK’s pioneering pharmaceutical products to tackle life-threatening illnesses, others choose best-selling nutritional brands such as Lucozade and Ribena for a feel-good boost. GSK even manages to brighten smiles with some of the world’s favourite toothpaste brands.
Graduate Opportunities
New starters at GSK will soon see that there’s no such thing as a typical career path at GSK. With roles at all levels, as well as a number of industrial placements, across all business functions, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and develop.
And with so much geographical and business diversity on offer, GSK is in a great position to give all the support needed. There are no limits on where a career could lead – their various development programmes in the UK have produced some of GSK’s most inspirational leaders.
We’re also proud to be named one of the UK’s leading graduate employers in The 2008 Times Top 100 survey, which polls over 15,000 final year students. They rate us amongst the top 15 employers for graduate opportunities, making GSK the most desirable pharmaceutical company to work for.
Sales and Marketing (Pharmaceuticals) Graduate Programme
UK Pharmaceuticals:
Providing beneficial medicines and vaccines to the National Health Service, our UK Pharma business makes a major contribution to life in the UK. In partnership with the NHS, we are helping to provide better healthcare and more choice to millions of patients.
We specialise in a number of therapeutic areas including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, diabetes, anti-viral, the central nervous system, and vaccines. And we continue to work towards bringing innovative new medicines to patients including those to treat diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS.
Our medicines contribute to saving lives and improving quality of life for millions of people. They allow major diseases to be treated without the need for in-patient hospital care, reduce dependency on carers or social services, and allow patients to remain economically active. We also make a massive contribution to the UK economy through employment, research and manufacturing.
Currently, we have 1,500 field and office-based staff working in sales and marketing, medical and regulatory affairs, finance, HR, corporate affairs, integrated healthcare and IT.
One thing that we all enjoy is the opportunity to play a part in getting innovative medicines to patients who will benefit.
The Programme:
Our Sales and Marketing graduate programme is a two and a half year development programme with the aim of developing trainees into commercial business leaders to ensure a pipeline of future leaders for GSK. The programme provides challenging opportunities for each trainee to develop a range of business competencies and an understanding of the UK Healthcare environment. Over the two and a half years trainees will undertake three six-month marketing placements working with key brands and a 12-month sales representative placement. In order to be successful on this programme graduates need to be able to express your own opinions, be resilient, establish good working relationships, be a self starter, influence key stakeholders, have excellent communication skills and be commercially driven.
Training and Development:
Whilst on the programme trainees are supported by a sponsors group, a programme manager, their current line manager, a mentor and a buddy. When nearing the end of each placement successful trainees work with the programme manager to identify their next placement opportunity which will be appropriate for their skills development and the business need. Finally at the end of the programme, if trainees deliver to the standards that we expect, they may move into a line role within either Sales or Marketing.
A Marketing Excellence Programme is also in place for all Commercial trainees to undertake which includes a training programme run in conjunction with Henley Management College and other training consultants and personal development is addressed through tailored training and development plans highlighting specific individual needs.
Find out more about all our graduate opportunities on offer by visiting GSK's website.
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