Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology
Job Summary
Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those arent words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here uniquely interesting work happens every day in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy this is work that transforms the lives of patients and the careers of those who do it. Youll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.
Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: if your next role could genuinely change the way cancer is treated in the UK
Not incrementally. Not theoretically. But tangibly - through the strategies you set the science you champion and the patients who reach treatments they otherwise wouldnt have accessed.
Thats the reality of this role.
Were looking for an exceptional medical leader to take the helm of our Oncology portfolio - someone who sees Medical Affairs not as a support function but as the strategic engine of meaningful change. If youve spent your career building towards a role where your expertise shapes both the pipelineandthe healthcare system around it this is the moment.
This is your seat at the table
AsTherapeutic Area Head for Oncology youll sit at the heart of our Medical Leadership Team - not as a contributor to strategy but as someone whohelps write it. Your thinking will directly influence how Medical as a function evolves what it prioritises and how it positions itself for the future.
Youll lead a team of Medical Advisors and field medical professionals taking full accountability for the Oncology medical strategy across both in-line assets and a genuinely exciting pipeline. From early engagement through to launch and beyond youll have the breadth of influence that most medical leaders only get glimpses of.
This is the kind of scope thataccelerates careers- yours and those of the talented people youll bring with you.
The work that will define this chapter
You wont be executing someone elses plan here. Youll bebuildingit.
Youll shape therapeutic area strategy across the full asset lifecycle - with a particular focus on early engagement and pre-launch excellence. That means getting to the science early asking the right clinical and access questions before others are even asking them and positioning the organisation to win where it matters most: for patients.
Youll lead evidence generation strategy including real-world evidence and digital approaches - ensuring that when assets reach HTA and regulatory milestones the data story is compelling credible and complete. Your fingerprints will be on submissions that determine patient access.
And youll be the medical leader whoshapes the external environment not just responds to it.
Engaging proactively with NHS England NICE system transformation and oncology policy youll be out in front - anticipating change and helping position Medical to influence it.
The partnerships that make this extraordinary
Great oncology outcomes dont happen in silos and neither does great medical this role youll build and lead genuine partnerships - with KOLs patient advocacy groups academic centres of excellence and healthcare system leaders -co-creating solutionsthat improve patient pathways and access in a real lasting way.
Internally youll be the bridge between Medical Commercial Market Access and the broader matrix - ensuring that integrated strategies are built on scientific credibility and delivered with commercial clarity. Youll be the voice that brings those worlds together.
This is rare. The ability to work at that intersection with full respect from every stakeholder around the table is something youll carry with you for the rest of your career.
The people youll grow - and the leader youll become
One of the most rewarding parts of this role The people.
Youll lead coach and develop a team of talented Medical Advisors helping them grow their capabilities deepen their scientific thinking and build the skills theyll need for tomorrows Medical landscape. Youll be the kind of leader who shapes careers and the culture you build will outlast any single product cycle.
At the same time as a core member of the Medical Leadership Team youll havevisible enterprise-level impact- contributing to departmental direction building future-ready capabilities and demonstrating the full strategic value that Medical can and should bring to an organisation.
Who you are
Youre a medical professional likely a registered physician or UK registered pharmacist with an advanced scientific degree and substantial Medical Affairs experience ideally in Oncology or a closely related area.
Youve worked in a large market you understand the full product lifecycle and youve been close enough to HTA pre-launch planning and evidence generation to know what excellent looks like.
Ideally youve held final signatory responsibility and have a strong working knowledge of the ABPI Code.
But beyond the credentials youre someone who:
- Believes deeplyin the strategic value Medical brings and wants to prove it at scale
- Leads with purpose combining personal accountability with a genuine passion for patient outcomes
- Thrives in complexity translating scientific nuance into clear actionable strategy
- Inspires teamsrather than directs them building capability through coaching inclusion and trust
- Looks outward staying ahead of system change policy shifts and the evolving oncology landscape
Why now Why here
Because the pipeline is genuinely exciting. Because the organisation is committed to Medical being a true strategic partner. And because this is a moment where the right leader can leave a mark on the business on the NHS and most importantly on patients living with cancer.
Youll have the seniority the scope and the support to do something that matters.
#LI-Hybrid
If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesnt perfectly line up with your resume we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.
Uniquely Interesting Work Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as Transforming patients lives through science every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture promoting global participation in clinical trials while our shared values of passion innovation urgency accountability inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.
On-site Protocol
BMS has an occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential site-by-design field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:
Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration innovation productivity and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.
Supporting People with Disabilities
BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application or in any part of the recruitment process direct your inquiries to . Visit to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.
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R: Therapeutic Area Head OncologyAbout Company
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and delivering innovative medicines for patients with serious diseases. Our medicines are helping millions of patients around the world in disease areas such as oncology, cardiovascular, immu ... View more