Director of Medical Operations

MSD; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - GBP 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical firm is seeking a Director of Medical Operations to lead UK & Ireland Medical Affairs. You will oversee operational excellence, drive real-world evidence initiatives, and ensure compliance with regulations. This role requires a medical or pharmacy degree and significant experience in medical affairs. Join a company that values diversity and aims for innovative breakthroughs through cross-functional collaboration and ethical governance.

Qualifications

• Significant Medical Affairs industry experience (ideally >5 years).
• Strong leadership with previous line management experience.
• Demonstration of understanding technologies in medical affairs.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational excellence in UK & Ireland Medical Affairs.
• Own Medical Information and MAH/DPOC responsibilities.
• Drive Real World Evidence and clinical operations.
• Oversee governance, training, and process assurance.
• Attract, develop, and inspire talent in the team.

Skills

Change Management

Leadership Alignment

Medical Affairs

Strategic Planning

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Medical or Pharmacy Degree or PhD

Job description

Director of Medical Operations page is loaded## Director of Medical Operationsremote type: Not Applicablelocations: GBR - London - London (Moorgate WeWork)time type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todaytime left to apply: End Date: February 26, 2026 (21 days left to apply)job requisition id: R383360Job DescriptionAre you ready to step into a high-impact leadership role at the heart of UK & Ireland Medical Affairs, where you’ll shape strategy, elevate standards and influence the future of patient care. This is a rare opportunity to own end-to-end medical excellence – from Medical Information, RWE and clinical operations to governance, ABPI signatory strategy and omnichannel innovation. You’ll work side by side with senior country leadership, act as a trusted ambassador to key external stakeholders, and build a high-performing team that delivers outstanding science, compliance and business impact.**What you will do:*** Lead operational excellence across UK & Ireland (UKI) Medical Affairs, partnering with the Country Medical Director and Medical Leadership Team to align with cross‑functional and regional business priorities and UK/Ireland regulatory frameworks.* Own Medical Information and MAH/DPOC responsibilities, leading an industry‑leading medical information function that consistently meets and exceeds compliance obligations.* Drive Real World Evidence and clinical operations (LDG and MISP), delivering integrated evidence plans, investigator initiated studies and innovative use of real‑world healthcare data on time and on budget.* Lead medical modernisation and innovation (including omnichannel medical strategy), scaling new ways of working across UKI Medical Affairs with regional and cross‑functional partners.* Oversee governance, training, process assurance and audit readiness, ensuring 100% compliance with ABPI, regulatory requirements and internal quality standards.* Build and maintain a robust ABPI signatory model, ensuring high‑quality, compliant materials and activities and managing signatory training, validation and registration with PMCPA and MHRA.* Shape and manage Medical Affairs budgets with disciplined planning, delivery and tracking, meeting financial forecasts within agreed variance.* Provide strategic medical leadership for pipeline and new products, aligning therapy area, cross‑functional and UKI leadership teams to inform launch and lifecycle strategies.* Act as a key external ambassador, ensuring UK decision‑makers have access to high‑quality, UK‑relevant scientific and clinical data, and engaging with life sciences, academia, professional bodies and government.* Attract, develop and inspire talent, champion cross‑functional collaboration, role‑model integrity and ethical governance, and deputise for UK medical leadership when required.What you will need:* Medical or pharmacy degree or PhD.* Significant Medical Affairs industry experience (ideally >5 years) with a robust understanding and working knowledge of medical affairs excellence and operations and a clear demonstration of achievements, in the areas of Medical Information, Integrated Evidence Planning, Scientific Services and Medical Innovation and Omnichannel Strategy.* Strong leadership experience in medical affairs with previous line management and an expertise in drive and build high performing teams, with a focus on developing and inspiring talent.* A demonstration of understanding the identification, application and adoption of technologies and processes in the medical affairs and wider pharmaceutical and/or healthcare delivery environments.* Understanding of the wider NHS environment and key opportunities for pharma and the NHS to partner effectively within the scope of GCP, regulations and the ABPI Code of Practice – with high level of knowledge of ABPI Code of Practice and a AQP or HCP final signatory.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.**Required Skills:**Change Management, Execution Excellence, Leadership Alignment, Management Process, Medical Affairs, Medical Care, Medical Communications, Professional Networking, Results-Oriented, Scientific Exchange, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking**Preferred Skills:**Current Employees applyCurrent Contingent Workers apply**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:****VISA Sponsorship:****Travel Requirements:****Flexible Work Arrangements:**Not Applicable**Shift:****Valid Driving License:****Hazardous Material(s):****Job Posting End Date:**02/26/2026**\*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.**