Head, Global Medical Affairs Oncology

Summary

Ready to shape the future of oncology on a global scale? As Head, Global Medical Affairs Oncology, you will lead the integrated medical strategy across the product lifecycle - bringing scientific leadership into early portfolio decisions, strengthening the global medical voice in late-stage development, and ensuring evidence plans meet real stakeholder needs. This is a highly visible opportunity to develop medical plans, accelerate innovative evidence generation, and maximise impact at launch and beyond, while building trusted partnerships across the global oncology ecosystem to improve patient outcomes.

Location: London, UK #LI-Hybrid

About the Role

Responsibilities:

• Define and drive an integrated global medical affairs strategy across oncology, aligned with United States and International priorities
• Shape early portfolio strategy by providing expert medical input into development programmes and identifying innovative evidence generation opportunities
• Ensure a strong and consistent global medical voice within programme governance, reflecting clinical practice, patient needs and real-world insights
• Develop and deliver integrated evidence generation plans, proactively identifying and closing evidence gaps to support patient needs
• Oversee the design, approval and execution of global medical affairs studies, ensuring scientific integrity, quality and full compliance
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with healthcare professionals, scientific leaders and external stakeholders
• Lead medical communications and scientific engagement strategies to support data dissemination, education, stakeholder alignment and the effective use of AI-enabled approaches
• Inspire, lead and develop a high-performing global team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous development

Essential for the role:

• Medical Doctor qualification with strong scientific credibility and the ability to represent medical affairs at a senior global level
• 10+ years’ experience in medical affairs, clinical development or clinical practice within pharmaceutical, biotechnology or academic environments
• Proven leadership experience managing global teams, with a strong track record of developing talent and building high-performing organisations
• Direct oncology therapeutic area experience, a well-established external scientific network, and the ability to influence credibly across the external oncology landscape
• Deep expertise in evidence generation, including clinical trials, real-world evidence studies and integrated evidence planning
• Demonstrated experience shaping and influencing global medical strategy across the product lifecycle, from early development to launch
• Excellent collaboration and influencing skills across complex, matrixed global organisations, with the ability to leverage AI and digital innovation to enhance insight generation, decision-making and execution
• Strong understanding of ethics, compliance and governance requirements within medical affairs, with a commitment to acting with integrity

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)