At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications for the Oncology Business Unit and engage with key stakeholders.
- Company: Join a global leader in healthcare communications and policy.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in oncology while shaping health policy and communications.
- Qualifications: Experience in health policy, communications strategy, and stakeholder engagement required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This is a fixed-term contract (FTC) role on a full-time basis, for the period from appointment until June 2027. Short notice period will be preferred. This role is predominantly head office based, with some travel as required for meetings. Hybrid working applies to this role.
The Policy & Communications team reports to the Managing Director and is part of a worldwide network of communications and policy experts under the Strategic Access, Policy and Communications organisation. Policy & Communications leads and delivers our company's corporate and strategic communications (including staff/internal communications), social media and online presence, policy strategies including – central to this role – its franchise policy and communications.
Reporting to the Director, Policy & Communications – Oncology, the successful candidate will be the strategic face of Policy & Communications in the Oncology Business Unit and with our external stakeholders. They will work closely with cross‑functional teams to assess, create and deliver policy and communications programmes and tactics that drive our business goals through a deep understanding of, and engagement with, the stakeholder and healthcare landscape. They will work in close partnership with other Policy & Communications colleagues to deliver an integrated, winning package of policy and communications.
The role would suit an outcomes‑oriented individual who thrives on working in a fast‑paced environment and who combines a passion for strategic and creative communications programmes with a focused and disciplined delivery style.
Key Activities (Responsibilities)- Represent and lead the Policy & Communications contribution to the Oncology Business Unit’s success and the organisation overall.
- Maintain a deep understanding of the goals of the franchise, the wider business, critical success factors and challenges/opportunities that may impact them in the external and internal policy and communications environment.
- Identify and understand relevant internal and external stakeholders and audiences, prioritise and manage engagement with them.
- Create and deliver policy & communications programmes that advance company and franchise goals in a measurable way across therapy and corporate policy, brand and therapy‑area communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, patient group relations, publications, social and digital media, and issues management.
- Support staff engagement where required.
- Manage tactical communications delivery and the management of suppliers, including business practices procedures governing all activities.
- Provide ongoing strategic counsel on communications and relevant business issues to colleagues across the organisation – particularly business and functional leaders and the Policy & Communications team.
- Contribute to broader Policy & Communications team initiatives, including key strategic and departmental projects.
- Health policy and product knowledge: sound knowledge of health policy, pharmaceutical industry environment and levers for influencing policy change; understanding of portfolio, product lifecycle and ability to interpret external health policy.
- Enterprise brand management: understand mission, strategy, values and franchise plans and use internal and external engagement to champion them, mitigate risks and shape future business.
- Stakeholder analysis, engagement & influencing: identify key audiences, evaluate situations, connect with them based on deep strategic understanding and anticipate their needs.
- Policy and communications strategy & development: expert in developing communication and policy strategies; provide counsel to colleagues; create programmes and messages for diverse audiences; shape tone, style and direction of key communications or policy campaigns.
- Programme development & execution: design strategic programmes, develop project plans, secure resources, manage budgets, identify and mitigate risks, prioritise tasks, measure results.
- Compliance, ethics & risk management: understand and comply with internal and external standards, identify risks, raise issues, apply risk mitigation strategies using sound judgment.
- Adaptability
- Advertising communications
- Communications programmes
- Communication strategy development
- Content creation
- Educational materials development
- Marketing coordination
- Pharmaceutical policies
- Public health research
- Public policy development
- Public relations services
- Social media communications
- Special event planning
- Strategic communication planning
- Strategic thinking
Associate Director, Policy & Communications (Oncology)- Fixed Term contract Until June 2027 in London employer: MSD Malaysia
As an Associate Director in Policy & Communications within our Oncology Business Unit, you will join a dynamic and innovative team that values strategic thinking and creative communication. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture, offering hybrid working options and opportunities for professional growth, ensuring that you can thrive in a fast-paced environment while making a meaningful impact on healthcare policy and communications. With a commitment to employee development and a supportive atmosphere, we are dedicated to empowering our staff to achieve their career goals.
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We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Policy & Communications (Oncology)- Fixed Term contract Until June 2027 in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Policy & Communications (Oncology)- Fixed Term contract Until June 2027 in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of MSD Malaysia. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at MSD Malaysia.
How to prepare for a job interview at MSD Malaysia
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
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We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
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As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
