Medical Advisor Oncology

Job Description

The Medical Advisor holds primary responsibility within the country for developing and executing Medical Affairs strategic plans and is expected to spend up to 50% of time in external engagements. With a primary focus on oncology, the role drives cross-functional strategy collaboration and execution, builds trust with the medical and scientific community, facilitates peer-to-peer medical and scientific exchange, and provides asset issue resolution support.

Responsibilities and Primary Activities:

Strategic and Tactical Leadership

• Consolidates actionable medical insights to inform company strategies.
• Translates Global Medical Goals and Strategies into locally relevant tactics and solutions that support optimal scientific exchange, improve patient outcomes, and enhance access.
• Supports execution of tactical plans and quickly adapts them to local business realities, clinical practice patterns, and healthcare system dynamics.
• Follows up on Investigator-Initiated Study (IIS) proposals aligned with Our Company ISS Program areas of interest, ensuring scientific rigor and compliance.
• Collaborates with research laboratories and Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO) personnel to identify potential investigators and sites for clinical development programs; provides local feasibility input.
• In collaboration with colleagues, facilitates delivery of data generation activities (phases I–IV), including identification of suitable research projects, centers, investigators, and innovative methods to generate data (e.g., RWE, registries, digital tools).
• Provides non-promotional, balanced, and reliable scientific information in accordance with company standards and local regulations.

Medical and Scientific Leadership

• Brings the local scientific and healthcare environment perspective to the Regional Medical Affairs team, including epidemiology, guidelines, pathways, and access trends.
• Communicates scientific and business needs appropriately and effectively across internal and external stakeholders with strong medical governance.
• Builds trust with the external scientific community through peer-to-peer scientific exchange, research and educational collaborations, and engagement with scientific societies, health organizations, and publications.
• Provides therapeutic/functional training to assigned teams and affiliate functions; acts as the local subject-matter expert in oncology.
• Develops and executes country medical educational programs and symposia, ensuring high-quality content and compliance.
• Leads country advisory boards and expert input forums; defines objectives, participant criteria, agendas, and follow-up actions to drive meaningful insights.
• Participates in and contributes to professional organizations and academic/regulatory working teams; responsibly represents the company’s medical perspective.

Regulatory and Market Access Support

• Collaborates across Medical, Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance, Legal, Compliance, and Communications to lead resolution of regulatory, public relations, compliance, and other asset issues.
• Supports resolution of asset safety or quality issues by contributing content and strategy in regulatory responses and interactions, and by supporting risk management planning and implementation.
• Provides access support as needed, including health technology assessments (HTA), pre-license patient access initiatives, and reimbursement dossier development.

Inclusive Mindset and Behavior

• Demonstrates eagerness to contribute to an environment of belonging, inclusion, equity, and empowerment.
• Leads by example and serves as a role model for creating, leading, and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce; fosters respectful, open dialogue and psychological safety.

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• MD, PhD, or PharmD.
• A minimum of 2–3 years of clinical and/or research experience in a relevant disease area, preferably oncology.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, networking, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in local language and English (spoken and written).
• Experience with local pharmaceutical industry guidelines, regulatory/reimbursement frameworks, and clinical research guidelines (e.g., GCP).
• Strong prioritization skills and ability to understand how decisions fit into the broader context of corporate strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop a network of scientific leaders and other key stakeholders (e.g., public groups, government officials, medical professional organizations).
• Proven ability to effectively communicate information at country management level.
• Ability to effectively collaborate across functions in a matrix environment and influence without formal authority.
• Prior Medical Affairs experience in oncology (solid tumors and/or hematology) within pharma/biotech.
• Experience with evidence generation approaches such as RWE, registries, and digital health.
• Familiarity with local clinical guidelines, pathways, and HTA processes.
• Experience leading advisory boards, educational symposia, and IIS processes.
• Understanding of pharmacovigilance requirements and risk management planning.

Competencies:

• Scientific Excellence and Clinical Insight
• Strategic Thinking and Execution
• Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building
• Communication and Influence
• Compliance and Ethics
• Collaboration and Matrix Leadership
• Adaptability and Resilience

What We Offer:

• Meaningful impact: Shape oncology care by translating cutting-edge science into improved patient outcomes.
• Visibility and voice: Direct access to country leadership and regional/global medical teams; your insights influence strategy and evidence plans.
• Growth and development: Personalized learning, congress participation, leadership and TA training, publication opportunities, and cross-country projects.
• Flexible, modern work: Hybrid setup with autonomy to plan external engagements; flexibility around core hours to support work–life balance.
• Collaborative culture: Inclusive, mission-driven teams where medical integrity and respectful debate are core.
• Recognition and rewards: Competitive compensation, annual bonus eligibility, comprehensive benefits, and support for professional memberships and certifications.
• Tools to thrive: Robust medical resources, compliant engagement platforms, field enablement technology, and administrative support to maximize time with stakeholders.

Required Skills:

Medical Affairs, Medical Knowledge, Medical Marketing Strategy, Multiple Therapeutic Areas, Oncology, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

02/1/2026

*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.