At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing sales team and drive commercial growth in the cardiovascular sector.
- Company: Join a leading pharmaceutical company committed to public health and innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible work arrangements, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and foster an inclusive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare while shaping the future of cardiovascular sales.
- Qualifications: Extensive sales leadership experience in pharmaceuticals and strong coaching skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
The National Sales Director for Cardiovascular in the UK is a premier commercial leadership role, holding full national accountability for building, leading and developing a high-performing sales organisation. Reporting to the Pharmaceutical Business Unit Director, you will be collaborating closely with the cross-functional leadership team and you will shape the launch strategy and direct field execution to drive commercial growth.
If you are a seasoned sales leader with a proven track record of managing leaders, navigating complex NHS dynamics and delivering sustained results in an evolving healthcare environment, this is your opportunity to establish the culture, capabilities and standards that will define long-term launch success.
As the strategic voice of field sales, you will lead a dedicated team of first line Regional Sales Managers to translate brand, customer and pathway priorities into clear, measurable regional objectives. This senior position demands extensive leadership experience, an exceptional ability to deploy sales resources effectively and a passion for fostering a collaborative operating environment in partnership with marketing, medical and market access teams. Join us to champion high standards of customer engagement and make a profound impact on public health across the UK.
What You Will Do
- Shape and execute the UK launch and long-term commercial growth strategy for the cardiovascular portfolio as a senior member of the cross-functional leadership team.
- Recruit, coach and develop six Regional Sales Managers, establishing them as a cohesive, high-performing regional business leadership team.
- Turn national brand and pathway priorities into clear regional commercial objectives, ensuring disciplined territory-level execution across a ~60-person sales force.
- Take full accountability for national sales outcomes, launch milestones and commercial growth targets through robust performance management.
- Strategically manage the national sales-force budget and workforce plan, dynamically deploying resources to the highest-value opportunities.
- Build partnerships with Marketing, Medical, Market Access, and the Pathways Director to ensure seamless, unified execution.
- Embed coaching as a core discipline and champion talent development to secure a strong internal pipeline of future commercial leaders.
- Translate early field and customer insights into rapid, agile adjustments to targeting, account planning, and launch execution.
- Utilize regional, account, and competitor data alongside NHS dynamics to address performance gaps and influence high-level business decisions.
- Embed best-in-class standards for insight-led, purposeful, and highly differentiated customer interactions across all tiers of the sales force.
- Act as a trusted commercial advisor to the Pharmaceutical Business Unit Director, contributing to the wider UK organization’s enterprise strategy.
- Role-model ethical decision-making, embedding a strong culture of compliance and ensuring strict adherence to the ABPI Code of Practice.
What You Will Bring
- Extensive senior-level field sales leadership experience within the pharmaceutical or healthcare sector, with a consistent track record of delivering strong, sustained commercial results.
- A proven ability to inspire, coach and develop geographically dispersed teams by leading through other leaders (such as Regional Sales Managers), building a robust talent pipeline and fostering a high-performance culture.
- Deep knowledge of UK NHS structures and system dynamics, with a demonstrated ability to translate national brand strategy into disciplined, localised regional execution.
- Strong commercial acumen and sound business judgment, with experience using market, customer and performance data to make effective resource-deployment decisions and commercial trade-offs.
- The ability to partner, influence and lead effectively across complex cross-functional teams (including Marketing, Medical, and Market Access) and manage senior stakeholder relationships with confidence.
- A natural comfort leading teams through ambiguity, organisational growth and evolving market conditions.
- The ability to operate confidently and role-model ethical decision-making within pharmaceutical regulatory and compliance frameworks, including the ABPI Code of Practice.
- Operate in a field-based role with regular travel to external stakeholders.
Core Skills And Capabilities
- National commercial and field sales leadership.
- Leading leaders, coaching and talent development.
- Sales performance management and disciplined field execution.
- Launch excellence and organisational readiness.
- Sales execution and customer engagement excellence.
- Strategic and commercial acumen.
- Data-driven decision-making and resource prioritisation.
- Cross-functional leadership and senior stakeholder influence.
- Change leadership, learning agility and entrepreneurial thinking.
- Strong compliance judgement and practical application of the ABPI Code of Practice.
Leadership Behaviours
- Lead with clarity, accountability and pace, translating strategy into measurable execution.
- Develop leaders and talent through active coaching, feedback and high expectations.
- Focus teams and resources on the opportunities that matter most.
- Build alignment across regions and functions and creates shared ownership of outcomes.
- Use evidence and insight to challenge assumptions and make high-quality decisions.
- Learn rapidly, adapts execution and scales successful approaches.
- Role-model for ethical leadership and set the standard for compliant ways of working.
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. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.
Required Skills:
- Account Management
- Account Planning
- Coaching
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Customer-Focused
- Drug Launches
- Executive Presence
- Healthcare Trends
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Leadership
- Market Analysis
- Negotiation
- Operational Delivery
- People Leadership
- Prioritization
- Resource Deployment
- Sales Performance
- Sales Strategy Development
- Strategic Selling
- Team Leadership
National Sales Director – CVD, Nationwide (Field-Based) employer: MSD in the UK
As a global healthcare leader, we offer an exceptional work environment that fosters collaboration, diversity, and professional growth. Our Medical Science Liaison role in the North of England, Scotland & Northern Ireland provides the unique opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals while contributing to improved patient outcomes. We are committed to creating a culture of respect and teamwork, ensuring our employees thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land National Sales Director – CVD, Nationwide (Field-Based)
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
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Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like MSD in the UK.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like MSD in the UK. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you're applying for roles, don't rush it! Take the time to customise your applications for specific positions, showcasing relevant skills and experiences that align with what MSD in the UK is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace National Sales Director – CVD, Nationwide (Field-Based)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at MSD in the UK!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show MSD in the UK that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at MSD in the UK!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At MSD in the UK, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at MSD in the UK
✨Understand the Science
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 MSD in the UK that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
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.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with MSD in the UK’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
