At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Oncology portfolio and shape medical strategies that transform cancer treatment.
- Company: Bristol Myers Squibb, a leader in innovative healthcare solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and extensive professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture that values innovation, accountability, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on cancer treatment and patient lives while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Medical professional with experience in Medical Affairs, ideally in Oncology.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams.
Bristol Myers Squibb recognises the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programmes that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives.
What if your next role could genuinely change the way cancer is treated in the UK? Not incrementally. Not theoretically. But tangibly - through the strategies you set, the science you champion, and the patients who reach treatments they otherwise wouldn't have accessed. That's the reality of this role.
We're looking for an exceptional medical leader to take the helm of our Oncology portfolio - someone who sees Medical Affairs not as a support function, but as the strategic engine of meaningful change. If you've spent your career building towards a role where your expertise shapes both the pipeline and the healthcare system around it, this is the moment.
This is your seat at the table
As Therapeutic Area Head for Oncology, you'll sit at the heart of our Medical Leadership Team - not as a contributor to strategy, but as someone who helps write it. Your thinking will directly influence how Medical as a function evolves, what it prioritises, and how it positions itself for the future.
You'll lead a team of Medical Advisors and field medical professionals, taking full accountability for the Oncology medical strategy across both in-line assets and a genuinely exciting pipeline. From early engagement through to launch and beyond, you'll have the breadth of influence that most medical leaders only get glimpses of.
This is the kind of scope that accelerates careers - yours and those of the talented people you'll bring with you.
The work that will define this chapter
You won't be executing someone else's plan here. You'll be building it. You'll shape therapeutic area strategy across the full asset lifecycle - with a particular focus on early engagement and pre-launch excellence. That means getting to the science early, asking the right clinical and access questions before others are even asking them, and positioning the organisation to win where it matters most: for patients.
You'll lead evidence generation strategy, including real-world evidence and digital approaches - ensuring that when assets reach HTA and regulatory milestones, the data story is compelling, credible, and complete. Your fingerprints will be on submissions that determine patient access.
And you'll be the medical leader who shapes the external environment, not just responds to it. Engaging proactively with NHS England, NICE, system transformation and oncology policy, you'll be out in front - anticipating change and helping position Medical to influence it.
The partnerships that make this extraordinary
Great oncology outcomes don't happen in silos, and neither does great medical strategy. In this role, you'll build and lead genuine partnerships - with KOLs, patient advocacy groups, academic centres of excellence, and healthcare system leaders - co-creating solutions that improve patient pathways and access in a real, lasting way.
Internally, you'll be the bridge between Medical, Commercial, Market Access and the broader matrix - ensuring that integrated strategies are built on scientific credibility and delivered with commercial clarity. You'll be the voice that brings those worlds together.
This is rare. The ability to work at that intersection, with full respect from every stakeholder around the table, is something you'll carry with you for the rest of your career.
The people you'll grow - and the leader you'll become
One of the most rewarding parts of this role? The people. You'll lead, coach and develop a team of talented Medical Advisors, helping them grow their capabilities, deepen their scientific thinking, and build the skills they'll need for tomorrow's Medical landscape. You'll be the kind of leader who shapes careers and the culture you build will outlast any single product cycle.
At the same time, as a core member of the Medical Leadership Team, you'll have visible, enterprise-level impact - contributing to departmental direction, building future-ready capabilities, and demonstrating the full strategic value that Medical can and should bring to an organisation.
Who you are
You're a medical professional, likely a registered physician or UK registered pharmacist, with an advanced scientific degree and substantial Medical Affairs experience, ideally in Oncology or a closely related area. You've worked in a large market, you understand the full product lifecycle, and you've been close enough to HTA, pre-launch planning and evidence generation to know what excellent looks like.
Ideally, you've held final signatory responsibility and have a strong working knowledge of the ABPI Code. But beyond the credentials, you're someone who:
- Believes deeply in the strategic value Medical brings — and wants to prove it at scale
- Leads with purpose, combining personal accountability with a genuine passion for patient outcomes
- Thrives in complexity, translating scientific nuance into clear, actionable strategy
- Inspires teams rather than directs them, building capability through coaching, inclusion and trust
- Looks outward — staying ahead of system change, policy shifts and the evolving oncology landscape
Why now? Why here?
Because the pipeline is genuinely exciting. Because the organisation is committed to Medical being a true strategic partner. And because this is a moment where the right leader can leave a mark, on the business, on the NHS, and most importantly, on patients living with cancer. You'll have the seniority, the scope, and the support to do something that matters.
Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture, promoting global participation in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.
Supporting People with Disabilities
BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com.
Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology in Uxbridge employer: Bristol Myers Squibb
At Bristol Myers Squibb, we offer a unique opportunity to lead transformative work in Oncology that directly impacts patient lives. Our culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing employees with extensive growth opportunities and a supportive environment that values balance and flexibility. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team where your contributions will shape the future of cancer treatment in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology in Uxbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the oncology field, attend industry events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Bristol Myers Squibb's mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our goal of transforming patients' lives through science. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to our exciting pipeline!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to be able to clearly articulate your vision for the oncology portfolio and how you plan to lead the team. Confidence is key, so rehearse your ideas until they flow naturally.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to apply through our website, even if you think you don’t tick every box. We value diverse experiences and perspectives, and you might just be the perfect fit for the role we didn’t know we were looking for!
We think you need these skills to ace Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology in Uxbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Therapeutic Area Head role. Highlight your experience in Oncology and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission to transform patient lives.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about Oncology and how you can contribute to our strategic goals. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love that!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've made an impact in previous roles, especially in medical affairs or oncology. We’re looking for results-driven candidates who can lead change.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bristol Myers Squibb
✨Know Your Oncology Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and breakthroughs in oncology. Understand the current landscape, including key players, recent studies, and how Bristol Myers Squibb fits into the picture. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams and influenced strategy in your previous roles. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop others, as this role requires someone who can coach and build capability within a team.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the healthcare system in the UK, especially regarding NHS England and NICE. Be ready to discuss how you would engage with these organisations to shape oncology policy and improve patient access.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges in oncology medical affairs. Think about real-world evidence generation and pre-launch strategies, and be prepared to articulate your thought process clearly and confidently.