Strategic Marketing Lead - Associate Director, Oncology

Job Description

Location: Moorgate, London

Hybrid working (minimum 2 days/week in the office)

The Opportunity

Join our Oncology Business Unit and take a leading role in shaping the future of our UK oncology business. In a scientifically complex and rapidly evolving field, this position offers the opportunity to lead long-term strategy, guide a talented team, and translate breakthrough science into meaningful outcomes for patients. You will be accountable for defining and executing the strategy for our oncology portfolio, with line management responsibility for up to five members of the marketing team.

Leadership and Organisational Impact

The Strategic Marketing Lead manages a team of talented professionals and is expected to demonstrate enterprise leadership and to influence beyond their immediate area of accountability. Success in the role requires the ability to:

• Create a clear direction and maintain focus in a fast-moving and ambiguous environment.
• Influence senior UK, regional and global stakeholders through credible analysis, sound judgement and a compelling strategic narrative.
• Constructively challenge established approaches and make timely, evidence-based decisions.
• Orchestrate matrix teams, clarify roles and hold partners accountable for shared outcomes.
• Role-model inclusive leadership, adaptability and behaviours aligned with company values.
• Balance commercial performance with patient benefit, customer need, compliance and the long-term reputation of the organisation.

Key Accountabilities

Portfolio & Brand Strategy

• Define the long-term strategy and ambition for assigned brands, informed by deep customer, competitor, and market insights.
• Set clear portfolio priorities, making evidence-based choices that maximize value across the short and long term.
• Translate complex data into a compelling strategic narrative that aligns stakeholders and guides decision-making.
• Ensure global assets and programs are effectively localised to meet the needs of UK customers.

Commercial Performance & Execution

• Lead launch and lifecycle planning from strategy through execution, with clear objectives, milestones, and measures.
• Monitor key performance indicators and market dynamics, adapting strategy and execution where required to meet forecast ambitions.

Cross-Functional & People Leadership

• Provide direct line management to the marketing team, focusing on coaching, performance management, and professional development to build a high-performing and inclusive culture.
• Lead a matrixed, cross-functional team, providing clear strategic direction to integrate plans across Medical Affairs, Market Access, Field Teams, and other key partners.
• Act as a senior strategic partner, influencing UK, regional, and global stakeholders through credible analysis and a compelling strategic narrative.
• Role-model enterprise leadership, constructively challenging established thinking and holding partners accountable for shared business outcomes.

Financial Planning & Management

• Own the annual financial planning and forecasting process for assigned brands, aligning resources with strategic priorities.
• Partner with Finance and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure accurate reporting and robust governance.

Customer and Market Insight

• Champion a customer- and patient-centred approach, ensuring that decisions reflect a strong understanding of unmet need and the UK healthcare environment.
• Build and maintain appropriate relationships with external experts and key customers to generate actionable insights and inform oncology strategy and market-shaping opportunities.
• Define the long-term strategy and ambition for assigned brands, informed by deep customer, competitor, and market insights.
• Set clear portfolio priorities, making evidence-based choices that maximize value across the short and long term.
• Translate complex data into a compelling strategic narrative that aligns stakeholders and guides decision-making.
• Ensure global assets and programs are effectively localised to meet the needs of UK customers.

Essential Capabilities and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or life sciences; advanced degree or MBA preferred.
• Significant experience in UK pharmaceutical marketing, including successful launch experience.  
• Experience on working in oncology
• Demonstrated people leadership capability, including line management accountability or strong matrix leadership experience.  
• Proven track record of delivering commercial strategies that drive revenue growth and improved patient outcomes.
• Comprehensive knowledge and practical application of the ABPI Code of Practice

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Required Skills:

Cross-Functional Work, Influence, Line Management, Marketing Strategy Implementation, Oncology Marketing, Strategic Thinking, Teamwork

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

10/28/2026

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