Director of Medical Affairs, Oncology in London

Director of Medical Affairs, Oncology in London

London Full-Time 75000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
MSD in the UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a top-tier oncology medical affairs team and drive strategic initiatives.
  • Company: Join a leading pharmaceutical company committed to innovation and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a diverse work environment.
  • Other info: Embrace diversity and foster an inclusive workplace for breakthrough innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in oncology while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Medical or pharmacy degree with significant medical affairs experience, especially in oncology.

The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.

Lead a best-in-class oncology medical affairs team and work in collaboration with cross-functional counterparts to provide expert strategic input, leading on value and implementation, and medical affairs objectives in the oncology therapeutic area. You will hold overall responsibility for the development and delivery of UK oncology medical affairs plans in close alignment with Ireland and the overall strategic objectives for the UK, in partnership with the UK Medical Leadership Team.

Working within a UK framework in collaboration with our Regional Medical Affairs EMEAC and the Global Oncology Team, you will identify areas of strategic interest within the UK scope and address them with a tactically focused Medical Affairs plan. You will use a healthcare professional-focused approach, developing professional relationships with scientific and clinical leaders in oncology and supporting efforts in key strategic areas. These interactions also extend to regulatory bodies, payer groups and key advocacy groups.

You will lead, on behalf of the UK company, collaborative relationships with our oncology partners, partner with the EMEAC oncology lead, Regional Value and Implementation Teams and Oncology Global Medical Affairs to share medical/scientific expertise, and collaborate in other functional areas such as quality assurance, regulatory affairs, legal and marketing in the UK. You will maintain responsibility for strategic collaboration toward new approvals and regulatory reporting as required, ensuring operational and fiscal excellence in the oncology medical affairs directorate in close alignment with the UK Medical Leadership Team. The role requires functioning in a non-promotional capacity for 100% of the time spent in the role.

Key Responsibilities

  • Work in collaboration with the Medical Affairs United Kingdom and Ireland Leadership team (UKILT), the UK oncology cross-functional leadership team and lead the oncology medical affairs directorate.
  • Strategically plan for the implementation of oncology medicines and use the team (and working partnership with cross-functional teams) to create strong strategic Medical Action Plans (MAPs) for each key area or asset.
  • Deliver, through leadership of the team, tactics in the MAPs to a high standard of medical affairs excellence, administering new capabilities and innovation for the team where needed.
  • Represent our company medical function as the senior leader for our oncology portfolio at clinical or scientific meetings or by direct 1-on-1s, building strong relationships with top-tier stakeholders in healthcare provision, academic research, commissioning, NHSE, etc.
  • Lead for the UK, working closely with External Affairs and Scientific Policy to ensure detailed mapping of emerging and evolving UK life-sciences capabilities and opportunities to connect these with UK MAPs and global strategies.
  • Maintain a detailed knowledge of the company early and late pipeline and collaborate with discovery, development, value and access and regulatory teams to give strategic direction and foresee organisational setup.
  • Undertake advice-seeking activities for pipeline medicines and define the potential impact on patients early in the development cycle.
  • Work in close collaboration with the Head of Health Technology Assessment and Outcomes Research, maintaining oversight of UK medical affairs Phase 3b and Phase 4 (RWD) projects, with matrix leadership of study operations and budget, delivering an inclusive integrated evidence plan (IEP) with robust and timely data generation and publication.
  • In partnership with market-access and commercial colleagues, deliver effective horizon scanning activities and HTA submissions, including creating access programmes (where appropriate) to deliver medicines earlier to patients.
  • Assess directorate team capabilities and operational status to ensure that the team are excelling in meeting UK regulatory and governance frameworks; work with UKILT to ensure directorate members are audit-ready and lead the team during audits.
  • Support the implementation of the UK and Ireland (UKI) medical affairs training programme and contribute to its development, championing cross-functional partnership and dismantling silo working.
  • Develop and mentor talent to fulfil their potential, attract new talent to the organisation and effectively address under-performance. When appropriate deputise for other UK medical affairs leadership team members.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Medical, pharmacy or higher science degree with industry experience and a clear demonstration of achievements.
  • Significant medical affairs experience is essential and clinical development experience is a bonus; oncology experience is essential.
  • High level of knowledge of the ABPI Code of Practice, preferably a final signatory status.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the identification, application and adoption of innovative technologies and processes in the pharmaceutical and/or healthcare delivery environments.
  • Proven leadership with a focus on talent development skills; having managed teams before is essential.
  • Proven relationship-building skills with scientific leaders either in the pharmaceutical industry or healthcare/academic setting.
  • Understanding of the wider NHS environment and key opportunities for pharma and the NHS to partner effectively within the scope of the ABPI Code of Practice.

Required Skills

  • ABPI Code of Practice
  • Change Agility
  • Healthcare Education
  • Healthcare Management
  • Management Process
  • Medical Affairs
  • Medical Review
  • Oncology
  • People Leadership
  • Professional Networking
  • Results-Oriented
  • Scientific Communications
  • Stakeholder Engagement

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively for the common good. We are an equal-opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Director of Medical Affairs, Oncology in London employer: MSD in the UK

As a leading employer in the oncology sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to excel. Our commitment to professional development is evident through tailored training programmes and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that every team member can reach their full potential while contributing to meaningful advancements in healthcare. Located in the UK, we offer a dynamic environment where innovative ideas thrive, and employees are encouraged to build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the medical community.

MSD in the UK

Contact Details:

MSD in the UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Medical Affairs, Oncology in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the oncology field. Attend conferences, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.

Tip Number 2

Show your passion for oncology! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to express your enthusiasm for the field. Share your insights on current trends and how you can contribute to their goals.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Research common questions for medical affairs roles and practice your responses. Think about how your experience aligns with the job description and be ready to discuss specific examples of your achievements.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly shows your genuine interest in joining our team and makes it easier for us to spot your application.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Medical Affairs, Oncology in London

Oncology Expertise
Medical Affairs Strategy
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
Regulatory Knowledge
Healthcare Professional Relationship Building
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in oncology medical affairs. We want to see how your skills align with the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to emphasise your previous leadership experiences. Share examples of how you've developed talent and managed teams effectively in the past.

Demonstrate Your Knowledge:We’re looking for someone with a solid understanding of the ABPI Code of Practice and the UK healthcare landscape. Make sure to mention any relevant knowledge or experiences that showcase your expertise in these areas.

Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!

How to prepare for a job interview at MSD in the UK

Know Your Oncology Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and developments in oncology. Familiarise yourself with the company's pipeline and how it aligns with current UK medical affairs objectives. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.

Demonstrate Leadership Experience

Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your talent development skills and how you've managed to foster a collaborative environment. This is crucial for a role that requires leading a best-in-class team.

Build Relationships with Key Stakeholders

Prepare to discuss your experience in building relationships with healthcare professionals, regulatory bodies, and advocacy groups. Share stories that illustrate your ability to engage and collaborate effectively with these stakeholders.

Understand the ABPI Code of Practice

Since this role involves navigating the complexities of the ABPI Code, make sure you can articulate your understanding of it. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles to ensure compliance while achieving strategic goals.