Job Description

This is a high-profile key position within the UK Oncology Business unit which provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate, and further develop leadership skills whilst also having a profound impact on the lives of cancer patients in the UK. As the Oncology Franchise Director, your  primary responsibility will be  to lead the marketing & sales team with a focus on our portfolio across several of our strategically critical indications. You will deliver business objectives through the development of a clear and actionable strategy that creates competitive advantage and drives rapid uptake.  You will be responsible for launches as well as the continued development of existing indications to ensure that all eligible patients have access. You will be a key member of the oncology leadership team and the cross-functional leadership team. You will  work together with the EUCAN (Europe and Canada) Marketing Lead & regional peers to provide UK feedback and gain regional insight, together with a role supporting the Global Franchise Team to develop and execute globally aligned branding, positioning, and messaging that will resonate in the UK environment.

As the Franchise Director, you will:

Be accountable for the delivery of UK Oncology sales performance to meet or exceed target.

Lead a marketing & sales team across several critical indications with an understanding of the products, brand, market, and customers that will create competitive advantage and enable the effective translation of global strategy to champion a UK strategy that will deliver success

Lead and collaborate to create a cohesive, yet challenging cross functional team of leaders that empower individuals working across the operational team to make decisions and create value for patients, the NHS (National Health Service) and our company

In collaboration with cross functional stakeholders, develop and gain approval at both local and regional management levels for a UK strategic plan. With robust consideration of innovative strategic options, customer and account targeting, clear positioning, consideration of segments specific messaging and optimal channel promotion to supplement promotion and non-promotional field activities

Lead a fully resourced and operational team; to include team recruitment, product training, capability development, performance management and full compliance with internal processes, SOPs, and the Code of Practice

Develope and delivery of KPIs (Key Performance Indicator) in collaboration with the Cross Functional Team of Leaders. Track, monitor and take required action to ensure the delivery of the (non-field based*) performance metrics

Through liaison with global and regional stakeholders working with the UK Oncology Analyst ensure the delivery of accurate in year, medium- and long-term sales and supply forecasts

Be accountable for the execution of the strategy, collaborating with the Cross Functional Team of Leaders to effectively prioritise activities to deliver sales and spend to budget.

Collate robust customer insight to inform and direct strategic decision making and effective lifecycle management decisions across the products of the Oncology Business Unit.

The Successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

Oncology and or women cancer experience

A record of accomplishment for developing and implementing successful strategies

A record of accomplishment for leading and developing teams

Working knowledge of the L3 (Commercial Excellence Framework (Listen/Learn/Lead)) processes or a similar

Project/operational matrix leadership preferably across company partnerships

Business analytics & Insight generation

A working knowledge of the NHS and UK Private Market pharmaceutical supply chain & market access environment

Skill and Role Competencies

Demonstrates ability to develop mutually sustainable strategies and implement to various customer segments simultaneously

Uses in-depth knowledge of marketing strategies to set short and long-term strategy at a local and influences at a regional level.

Differentiates between strategic marketing and tactical execution to ensure that strategy drives tactics

Uses in-depth knowledge of all the brands within the Franchise to lead the strategic planning process for their areas of responsibility

Uses in-depth skills to appropriately leverage both outcome and causal metrics to identify best practices and gaps, assess and prioritise multiple scenarios to create optimal solutions for the country

Uses In depth knowledge of dynamics and basic understanding of the broader market trends to create future opportunities

Provides coaching and training on marketing strategy development  

Measures:

Sales vs. Target

Message Recall / Product Positioning

Stakeholder feedback from Collaboration partners, External Customers & Oncology Cross Functional Team

Finance performance and accuracy (Phased & Total Spend of promotional budget)

Recruitment, Retention, and development of Marketing Staff

Compliance with business practices (Complaints or Breaches)

Stakeholder feedback from External Customers, & Cross Functional Team

Leadership Behaviours required:

Adheres to the highest standards of trustworthy and ethical behaviour in all interactions and holds others to the same high-standards; comply with all laws, policies, and regulations; identify and address ethical issues without hesitation

Sets clear performance standards; overcomes obstacles; holds oneself and others accountable for achieving results

Focus the organisation on delivering value for customers, including patients by fully understanding and meeting their needs

Make timely decisions at the right level with the right data and support them once made

Speak openly, honestly and with conviction; have the courage to take appropriate risks and make tough decisions

Builds diverse talent with capabilities necessary to succeed in our markets; inspire, reward, and develop to ensure individuals reach their potential; make tough calls when necessary

Actively listen and seek to understand differing perspectives; work together to achieve the common goals the team

Embraces and embeds our corporate ‘Way of Working’ behaviours across the team

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 for the common good. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. 

Closing date for applications: 8th March 2025

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:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

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

Requisition ID:R337295