Therapy Area Head – Solid and Liquid Tumour Pipeline & Biomarkers (London)

Job Description

Our Oncology team is dedicated to delivering breakthrough innovations that extend and improve the lives of cancer patients worldwide. Our team of forward-thinking individuals achieve this through an unwavering commitment to support accessibility to medicine, providing new therapeutic solutions, and collaborating with governments and payers to ensure that people who need medicines have access to them. Our focus is on innovation and launch execution excellence; we translate breakthrough science into innovative medicines that help people with cancer across the globe.

Beyond our consistent and unwavering focus, at this difficult time we are keen to support the healthcare system to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are expectant that our strategic planning grows partnerships with the NHS, assisting in clearing referral waiting lists and improving cancer diagnosis rates.

In this role, you will lead on setting the strategic direction for our haematology pipeline, biomarkers and precision medicine and work across solid tumours in oncology to ensure strategic alignment.

You will work in collaboration with the Director of Medical Affairs for Oncology, the other oncology therapy area heads, the medical operations team, commercial colleagues in the New Product and Early Launch teams and the local and global Value and Implementation team leading on access and reimbursement.

What you will do:

• Strategically plan for the implementation of our company’s haematology medicines in associated cancers and utilising the team (and working in partnership with XFTs) to create Medical Action Plans (MAPs) for each key asset. Deliver, through leadership of the team, tactics in the CMAPs to a high standard of medical affairs excellence, and in doing so, seek to administer new capabilities for the team where needed.

• Be a key role on Asset Working Groups for the company pipeline in solid tumours and work across the oncology therapy areas to ensure strategic alignment for all new assets. This will include working in partnership with XFTs to co-create Medical Action Plans (MAPs) for each key therapy area.

• Represent our Company as the senior leader for our haematology, oncology portfolios and pipeline at clinical or scientific meetings, building strong relationships with top tier stakeholders in healthcare provision, academic research and commissioning.

• Working closely Corporate Affairs, to ensure detailed mapping of emerging and evolving UK life sciences capabilities and opportunities to connect these with UK CMAPs and global strategies. Ensure a detailed knowledge of the early pipeline for haematology and oncology is developed and maintained and strategic engagement / alignment with discovery, development and search and evaluation teams to understand their needs.

• Undertake advice seeking activities for pipeline medicines and define the potential impact on the patient early in the development cycle. Translate early CT insight into a robust understanding of patient pathways and clinical practice to prepare the UK business for future launches.

• Working in close collaboration with Market Access and Outcomes Research, maintain oversight of UK medical affairs Phase 3b and phase 4 (RWE) projects, with matrix leadership of study operations and budget, delivering an inclusive data generation and publication plan. In partnership with market access and commercial colleagues, deliver effective horizon scanning activities and HTA submissions. This would include 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.

• Ensure that their team members follow and maintain process knowledge for their activities to meet requirements to be audit ready (e.g. by the MHRA).

• Support the implementation of the UK and Ireland medical affairs training programme and contributing to its development. In delivering team objectives champion cross functional partnership and dismantle silo working.

• Develop and mentor talent to fulfil their potential, attracting new talent to the organisation and effectively addressing under performance. When appropriate deputise for other medical team members (senior, peers or subordinates).

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Medical degree , pharmacy degree or PhD scientist will be considered for this role.

• Industry experience or equivalent experience. The preferred candidate will have haematology experience.

• High level of knowledge of ABPI Code of Practice, preferably a final signatory or AQP.

• A demonstration of understanding the identification, application and adoption of innovative technologies and processes in the pharmaceutical and/or healthcare delivery environments.

• Proven leadership skills.

• 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.

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.

Current Employees applyHERE

Current Contingent Workers applyHERE

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Advisory Board Development, Clinical Data Analysis, Clinical Research, Ethical Compliance, Healthcare Education, Hospital Medicine, Key Opinion Leader Management, Management Process, Medical Affairs, Medical Marketing Strategy, Oncology Drug Development, People Leadership, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Publications Planning, Scientific Communications, Scientific Translations, Social Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/19/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the dayBEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the dayBEFOREthe job posting end date.

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