At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage local pharmacovigilance activities and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join MSD, an inclusive employer committed to diversity and safety.
- Benefits: Professional development opportunities and a collaborative team environment.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid work arrangements and opportunities for project leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient safety and grow your expertise in pharmacovigilance.
- Qualifications: Degree in health or life sciences and extensive pharmacovigilance experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
We're seeking a hands-on Senior PV Specialist to join our UK & Ireland country operations team. You'll take ownership of local PV activities, keep us compliant, and be a trusted partner to local business teams. On a day-to-day basis you'll support the management of local initiatives and data sources, assist with audits and inspections, maintain PV systems and documentation, and oversee ARMM and RMP activities. This role suits someone who is organised, proactive and enjoys working across functions and with global PV stakeholders. In a challenging, fast‑moving environment you'll make a direct impact, solve complex problems and grow your PV expertise.
What you'll do:
- Execute local PV processes and ensure compliance with local legislation and global procedures (AE case handling, aggregate reports, patient programmes, local PV agreements).
- Support the management of adverse event intake, triage, follow-up and submissions.
- Support PV audits, inspections and self-inspections; contribute to development and closure of CAPAs.
- Maintain local PV documents, training materials and local training resources; support onboarding of new colleagues.
- Support aggregate report operations; scheduling, coordinating and maintaining timely submission of aggregate safety reports.
- Implement local Risk Management Plans (RMPs) and associated risk-minimisation activities.
- Implement and oversee Risk Minimisation Measures and Additional Risk Minimisation Measures.
- Monitor Health Authority communications and advise stakeholders; represent PV in cross-functional meetings.
- Review local initiatives (marketing, patient programmes, digital tools) for PV compliance.
- Support business continuity plans and participate in projects that improve PV processes.
What we need from you:
- Education: Degree in health, life sciences or medical sciences, or equivalent experience.
- Experience: Extensive PV experience in the pharmaceutical industry preferred (or equivalent experience). Strong knowledge of AE reporting, UK and EU PV regulations and PV quality systems. Experience with PV audits or Health Authority inspections preferred.
- Key skills: Fluent in English (written and spoken). Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills. Strong organisation, prioritisation and project-management abilities. Comfortable working independently and collaborating across functions. Effective negotiation and influencing skills; able to drive improvements. Strategic mindset with a strong attention to quality and regulatory compliance.
- Desirable: Previous experience in the UK Pharmacovigilance environment. Experience with ARMM and RMP activities.
Why join us: You will play a visible role in keeping patients safe and enabling our business teams to operate with confidence. We offer opportunities to lead projects, develop professionally and work with a collaborative, cross functional team.
Senior Pharmacovigilance Specialist employer: MSD
Contact Detail:
MSD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Pharmacovigilance Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the pharmacovigilance field on LinkedIn or at industry events. Building connections can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK and EU PV regulations. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements, especially around compliance and risk management.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your organisational skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've managed multiple projects or audits simultaneously. This will highlight your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at MSD.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Pharmacovigilance Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your extensive PV experience and any relevant projects you've led, as this will show us you're a great fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about pharmacovigilance and how your background aligns with our needs. Be sure to mention your organisational skills and ability to work across functions, as these are key for this position.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is crucial for this role, make sure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically to demonstrate your stakeholder management abilities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all candidates efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at MSD
✨Know Your Pharmacovigilance Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of pharmacovigilance processes, especially around adverse event reporting and compliance with UK and EU regulations. Being able to discuss specific examples from your experience will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but have practical insights too.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Senior PV Specialist, you'll need to juggle multiple tasks. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully managed projects or audits in the past. Bring examples of how you prioritised tasks and ensured compliance, as this will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to explain complex pharmacovigilance concepts in simple terms, as you may need to liaise with cross-functional teams who might not have a PV background.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role, such as handling an unexpected audit or managing stakeholder expectations. Prepare structured responses that highlight your strategic mindset and attention to detail.