Medical Science Liaison Lead, Oncology

Band Level 5 Job Description Summary #LI-Remote Location: Canada This role is based in Canada, preferentially in Toronto. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you. Establish strong leadership of the field medical team, ensuring clear priorities, effective coaching, and consistent execution of the medical strategy. Strengthen engagement with key Medical Experts and accounts through a prioritized engagement plan aligned with country objectives, while bringing actionable field insights back to inform medical and cross-functional strategy. The role will also contribute to clinical trial execution, evidence generation opportunities, and scientific education, while ensuring high standards of compliance, operational excellence, and team performance. Excellence in execution on field engagement and impact delivered on the advocacy strategy for new assets/indications is expected. Job Description Key responsibilities Lead, develop, and coach a high-quality Field Medical team of MSLs, ensuring clear priorities, strong planning, and consistent execution of field medical activities. Translate country Oncology medical strategy into prioritized field execution plans, aligning Medical Expert engagement, scientific education, and account priorities with strategic medical objectives . Identify , map, prioritize, and engage Medical Experts and key accounts, strengthening external scientific relationships and advancing advocacy strategies for new assets and indications. Bring actionable field insights back to Medical Affairs and cross-functional partners to inform country medical strategy, evidence planning, and broader business priorities. Support scientific exchange by responding appropriately to unsolicited medical inquiries and serving as a trusted medical resource for internal stakeholders and external experts. Contribute to clinical trial execution, clinical research programs, investigator-initiated trials, and evidence-generation opportunities in partnership with Clinical Operations and Medical Affairs. Build effective cross-functional collaboration with Commercial, Access, Compliance, Pharmacovigilance, Medical Information, and other partners while maintaining the independence and integrity of Medical Affairs. Ensure compliance excellence, including timely reporting of adverse events, technical complaints, and special scenarios, and reinforce strong operational discipline across field activities. Monitor team performance and impact, ensuring field medical execution delivers measurable value against engagement priorities, advocacy strategy, and country medical objectives . Essential Requirements Strong scientific or medical foundation, relevant field medical experience, and excellent English communication skills, with the ability to operate credibly in a field-based Oncology medical role. High scientific credibility with Medical Experts, including the ability to engage in meaningful scientific exchange and represent Medical Affairs with confidence. Proven ability to lead, coach, mentor, and develop MSLs or field medical colleagues, with strong talent development and performance management mindset. Strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to convert medical strategy into clear field priorities and high-impact execution plans. Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across Medical Affairs, Commercial, Access, Clinical Operations, Compliance, Pharmacovigilance, and Medical Information. Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to act as a bridge between field execution, external engagement, and country strategy. Sound compliance judgment and operational discipline, with the ability to uphold high standards in external engagement, reporting, and medical governance. Learning agility and leadership potential to quickly build product-specific depth, understand internal Novartis processes, develop local stakeholder networks, and strengthen evidence-generation workflows. At Novartis Canada , we are determined to be a valued partner and advocate, with a deep understanding of patient needs along the entire care journey – from drug development, to diagnosis, to access and beyond. Part of the way we are doing this is by leveraging data, technology, and partnerships. Research & Development : we focus on four core therapeutic areas: Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolic, Immunology, Neuroscience and Oncology. We also develop and deliver treatments through other promoted and established brands, which today are helping millions of patients. Over the last three years, our average annual research and development investment in Canada was over $30 million, and we conduct clinical trial research in every region throughout Canada. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion : Novartis is committed to building outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse team’s representatives of the patients and communities we serve. Skills Desired Cross-Functional Collaboration, Data Analysis, Drug Development, Employee Development, Health Sciences, Influencing Skills, Innovation, Inspirational Leadership, Medical Affairs, Patient Care, People Management, Pharmaceutics, Product Launches, Real World Evidence (RWE), Regulatory Compliance, Research Methodologies, Results-Oriented, Stakeholder Engagement, Statistical Analysis