At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing sales team in the oncology sector across the UK and Ireland.
- Company: Join Boehringer Ingelheim, a Top Employer committed to exceptional workplace practices.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and innovation in a complex healthcare landscape.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and significant leadership experience in healthcare required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
As a key member of the Oncology Franchise Leadership Team, the Head of Sales Oncology will lead the national Key Account Management (KAM) team for assigned tumour(s)/brand(s) across the UK and Ireland. The role operates in a highly complex, matrix healthcare environment across the UK and Ireland, requiring strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder influence. The Head of Sales is accountable for delivering national sales performance, customer engagement excellence and measurable business outcomes, including achievement of KPIs and effective resource allocation. As a key member of the Oncology Franchise Leadership Team, the role contributes to franchise and asset strategy, shaping Integrated Customer Plans (ICP) and long-term business priorities.
Location: United Kingdom (Field-based – flexible location)
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing national KAM team to deliver strong commercial results and executional excellence across the UK and Ireland.
- Define and implement national sales strategy aligned to the Integrated Customer Plan (ICP), including strategic account planning, target setting and resource allocation.
- Drive achievement of national sales targets, KPIs and business objectives while ensuring effective budget management.
- Develop and oversee high-quality, cross-functional account plans to optimise patient outcomes and healthcare partnerships.
- Build strong relationships with key external stakeholders across NHS and healthcare systems, fostering long-term strategic partnerships.
- Translate customer and market insights into actionable strategies to maximise opportunities and overcome barriers.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (e.g. Marketing, Medical, Market Access, HSE/P) to ensure aligned execution of brand and account strategies.
- Ensure full compliance with ABPI/IPHA codes and Boehringer Ingelheim policies, maintaining the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.
- Champion a culture of high performance, innovation and continuous improvement, including talent development and succession planning.
- Contribute to franchise strategy and long-term planning, supporting ICP and overall business priorities.
PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY
- Accountable for delivering national sales revenue, market share and performance KPIs.
- Ensure all activities are delivered within agreed budgets, with clear demonstration of return on investment (ROI).
- Monitor and optimise field force effectiveness, customer engagement quality and executional excellence.
- Ensure timely and accurate forecasting, reporting and operational delivery.
REQUIREMENTS
Education & Qualifications
- Degree level education or equivalent.
- ABPI (UK) / MRII (Ireland) qualification.
Experience
- Significant leadership experience within a commercial pharmaceutical or healthcare environment, ideally within secondary care / NHS setting.
- Strong track record in Key Account Management and strategic account planning at health-system level.
- Proven ability to build, lead, develop and inspire high-performing teams.
- Experience operating within the UK and Ireland healthcare systems, with strong understanding of NHS structures and dynamics.
- Oncology experience preferred.
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong commercial acumen, including budget ownership, financial management and resource optimisation.
- Strong capability in data-driven decision-making and analytics-led leadership.
- Strong communication skills and collaborative mindset.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn data into actionable insights, supported by solid IT literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook) and experience using digital tools and multichannel engagement approaches.
- Ability to lead effectively in a complex, matrix organisation, influencing without direct authority.
- Advanced stakeholder engagement and influencing abilities.
- Experience in field omnichannel strategy and execution, including digital engagement approaches.
Other Requirements
- Willingness to travel nationally to all customer-facing team territories and head office frequently (UK and Ireland); occasionally travel to international congresses/meetings.
- Clean driving licence.
WHY THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
Boehringer Ingelheim has been recognised as a Top Employer in the UK, demonstrating our commitment to building an exceptional workplace through strong people practices and supportive HR policies.
Head of Sales Oncology (UK & Ireland) employer: Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is an exceptional employer, recognised as a Top Employer in the UK, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. With a focus on innovation and high performance, employees benefit from strong leadership, comprehensive training opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector across the UK and Ireland. The flexible field-based role allows for a dynamic work-life balance while fostering collaboration with key stakeholders in the NHS and healthcare systems.
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We think this is how you could land Head of Sales Oncology (UK & Ireland)
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sales Oncology (UK & Ireland)
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Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Boehringer Ingelheim that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
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If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
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