Career Progression Beyond UK borders? Factors to consider when applying for international roles

CAREER PROGRESSION BEYOND UK BORDERS?

Factors to consider when applying for international roles

By Julia Day

For many professionals, the opportunity to work in a different country for at least part of their career is hugely appealing. This article looks at considerations for medical information (MI) and pharmacovigilance (PV) professionals seeking to move from a role in the UK to one overseas.

A global workplace

The pharmaceutical and medical communities are truly global, and recruiting companies understand that securing the right candidate often requires a worldwide search. At CK Clinical we’ve seen a trend in new medical information / affairs and safety roles in Switzerland and Germany, mainly owing to the Head Offices in question being situated in these two countries. Interestingly, though, at least half of the candidates we have placed in these roles have been from the UK.

The experience gained from working on an international assignment, possibly with regional variations, could position a candidate well against those who remain in the UK throughout their career. Similarly, it may afford the opportunity to work on a wide range of products before they are released in the UK.

Skills assessment

When working with a professional who is considering a career overseas, CK Clinical poses the following questions:

PV professionals

• How quickly can you get up to speed with that country’s legislation?

• Can you demonstrate subject matter expertise, e.g. in clinical safety, data interpretation, signal detection activities or the interpretation of regulatory aspects of clinical safety? How easily can this be translated into responsibilities at a global level?

• Are you prepared and qualified to take on the responsibilities of a global role above and beyond that of a regional or local affiliate role?

• Do you speak any other languages? Whilst they are unlikely to be prerequisites for most roles, additional languages are always useful where teams are cross cultural. The ability to speak the host country’s native language also helps, of course, to integrate more easily into social environments.

MI professionals

• What’s the set-up of your current UK medical team and what do you take accountability for within that? • Are you able to demonstrate an active role in escalated enquiry responses and the adaptation of medical materials for local or regional use?

• Are you involved with code governance and does this relate to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) as well as the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)? If not the EFPIA, what accountability do you have with the ABPI compliance from a medical information or medical affairs perspective?

• Are you responsible for a given therapy area and does that responsibility extend to being the internal point of contact for that therapy, either locally or regionally?

• Are you fluent in any other languages? Whilst there may be no requirement to work in any language other than English in international roles, the ability to speak a second language is expected for local roles. Personal decisions Relocating to a new country of course has an impact on home as well as professional life - both for the individual in question as well as his or her family. Where are the best neighbourhoods? Which amenities are easily accessible? Are there large open spaces? Is there a thriving arts culture? A strong gastronomical scene? An appealing work-life balance? The suitability of a

new overseas life will depend very much on personal circumstances and interests.

Some considerations are more universal: cost of living and accommodation (and whether to sell or rent out any UK property); which possessions to ship, sell or place in storage; transport links, commute times and decisions on buying a car; taxation; any visa or work permit requirements; and perhaps childcare, schooling and a partner’s employment options.

Some of this can be researched online; however, multiple field trips (even if only long weekends) will give the closest indication of what life is like as a resident, not visitor. It also presents the opportunity to engage first-hand with any other international staff about their experience of integration and also to identify any active ex-pat community.

As with any job offer in the UK, the same diligent research into an overseas employer should be applied before accepting. Speaking to current staff, ideally in the same department or team, will give a useful insight into working practices and opportunities for career progression. How comfortable the HR Department are in facilitating this is, in itself, a litmus test of company culture. The strength of social networks, too, amongst colleagues (formal or otherwise) may be important, particularly for those individuals who are moving without family members.

Skills beyond boundaries

An increased reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in producing earlier and more granular characterisation of safety issues as well as more rapid analysis of data will place increased emphasis on skills beyond scientific expertise. For both PV and MI professionals, business skills are becoming ever more critical, with employers seeking strong evidence of the following:

• Confidence in prioritisation and risk management. • Effective communication and collaboration skills - both cross culturally and cross departmentally (with global safety physicians as one example).

• Leadership in change management.

• Budget preparation and planning competence.

• Preparation of study-specific safety management plans.

• PV scientist mentorship. • Leadership of global PV operations. MI professionals

• Active listening skills and the ability to liaise with both the medical community and public. • Ability to communicate complex product knowledge and in an unbiased way. • Competence in working to pace and across multiple channels of communication including live chat and video.

• Confidence in working with key opinion leaders.

• Ability to see the bigger picture regarding the market access process for drugs and therapies; particularly how factors such as branding and pricing can present barriers.

In a world of uncertainty, what is within an individual’s grasp is the adoption of a clear plan on career progression. Those professionals who have clearly analysed their skills and addressed any gaps accordingly will be in the best position to exploit future opportunities - wherever they might lie.

If you would like further careers advice or information on European/international roles please contact Julia Day at CK Clinical.

01246 457719

jday@ckclinical.co.uk

ckclinical.co.uk

Julia Day EU Divisional Manager CK Group