Strategic Marketing Lead - Paediatric Vaccines in City of Westminster

An enterprise‑mindful leader who defines and delivers the long‑term portfolio, brand and customer strategy for Merck’s Paediatric Vaccines business in the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the long‑term portfolio, brand and customer strategy, ensuring alignment between global priorities, UK market dynamics and business objectives.
• Lead strategic planning processes, setting portfolio priorities, growth ambitions and success measures that drive sustainable business performance.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders through local and international congresses to inform business priorities, generate actionable insights and influence portfolio strategy, market‑shaping opportunities and customer‑focused decision‑making.
• Translate customer insights, market intelligence, competitive developments, healthcare policy changes and performance data into actionable strategic recommendations.
• Develop and maintain portfolio strategies that optimise product launches, lifecycle management, customer engagement and long‑term portfolio growth.
• Lead portfolio investment planning and resource prioritisation, ensuring investment decisions are aligned to strategic objectives and deliver measurable business impact.
• Accountable for forecasting assumptions, demand planning oversight, management of brand budget and strategic input into financial planning processes, including budget and long‑range planning cycles.
• Monitor portfolio performance and identify opportunities to optimise growth, customer impact and return on investment.
• Conduct strategic scenario planning and environmental assessments to anticipate future opportunities, risks and changes within the healthcare landscape.
• Lead strategic preparation for future market opportunities, procurement processes and evolving healthcare policy environments, partnering with cross‑functional teams to shape business outcomes.
• Provide strategic leadership across cross‑functional teams, establishing clear direction, alignment and accountability to ensure successful delivery of business objectives.
• Drive effective governance, business reviews and performance monitoring, ensuring timely decision‑making, risk management and execution against agreed priorities.
• Represent the UK business within global and regional forums, contributing local insights and influencing future strategic direction through effective partnership and collaboration.
• Partner closely with Marketing, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Corporate Affairs, Commercial Excellence and Field Teams to develop integrated customer‑focused strategies and maximise portfolio performance.
• Provide strategic commercial input to external engagement activities and support initiatives that address healthcare system priorities and improve customer outcomes.
• Commercial Signatory qualification would be advantageous but is not an essential initial requirement for the role.

The role holder should have strong working knowledge of company policies, governance requirements and the ABPI Code of Practice, and be able to support the compliant development and review of promotional activities and materials.

• Champion excellence in strategic marketing, fostering a customer‑centric, insight‑driven and performance‑focused culture while supporting capability development across the organisation.

Skills and Competencies Required

• Deep expertise in strategic marketing, portfolio management, lifecycle optimisation and business planning.
• Strong commercial acumen, including forecasting, financial planning and investment decision‑making.
• Ability to synthesise complex market, customer and policy insights into clear strategic direction and business recommendations.
• Strong strategic thinking, prioritisation and scenario‑planning capability.
• Exceptional cross‑functional leadership and stakeholder influencing skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within a complex matrix organisation and lead through influence.
• Strong communication, executive presentation and decision‑making capability.
• Demonstrated ability to balance short‑term delivery with long‑term strategic objectives.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Life Sciences or a related discipline; advanced degree desirable.
• Significant pharmaceutical, vaccine or public health marketing experience.
• Proven track record of developing and delivering successful portfolio, franchise or brand strategies.
• Experience leading complex cross‑functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders across a matrix environment.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, forecasting, financial management and commercial delivery.
• Strong understanding of NHS structures, healthcare policy and market access dynamics.
• Comprehensive knowledge and practical application of the ABPI Code of Practice.
• Required Skills
• Brand Management
• Business Decisions
• Content Creation
• Customer Engagement
• Digital Consumer Engagement
• Digital Marketing
• Financial Planning
• Market Research
• Market Segmentation
• Omnichannel Marketing
• Portfolio Management
• Product Launches
• Product Management
• Strategic Market Analysis
• Strategic Thinking
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