L'Oréal 2025 - Medical Relations and Communications Assistant (LDB) - FTC

L'Oréal; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A global beauty leader is seeking a Medical Relations and Communications Assistant to support their Medical Department's strategy. The ideal candidate will have a BSc in a relevant field and experience in medical or pharmaceutical sales. Responsibilities include administrative support, market intelligence, and engaging with healthcare professionals to enhance product visibility. The role is crucial for maintaining strong professional relationships and requires excellent communication skills. Closing date for applications is 31 October 2025.

Qualifications

• Proven work experience in medical or pharmaceutical sales, preferably in dermo-cosmetics.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, especially concerning scientific information.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret market data and KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and implementation of the medical strategy.
• Provide administrative support to Medical Department leadership.
• Engage with healthcare professionals to educate them about products.

Skills

Scientific and medical knowledge

Communication skills

Analytical abilities

Organizational skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in relevant field

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Medical Relations and Communications Assistant

Location: SA

Overview

At L’Oréal, we believe that our people are our greatest asset. We foster a culture of learning, growth, and innovation, empowering our teams to reach their full potential and drive our business forward. As a global leader in beauty, we are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent who share our passion for excellence.

This role is designed to provide pivotal support to the entire Medical Department, playing a crucial part in the successful execution of LDB's medical strategy and enhancing engagement with healthcare professionals (HCPs) across all relevant therapeutic areas. The Medical Relations and Communications Assistant will contribute significantly to both the scientific visibility and strategic objectives of LOréal's Dermatological Beauty brands.

Responsibilities

• Position Overview
• Strategic and Operational Support to the Medical Department
  • Strategy Implementation: Actively assist in the development, implementation, and ongoing operational monitoring of the medical strategy, ensuring alignment with global and national objectives for the entire department.
  • Administrative Management: Provide extensive administrative support to the Medical Department leadership and team members, including but not limited to calendar management, travel arrangements, expense reporting, and preparing detailed agendas and minutes for meetings.
  • Presentation & Documentation: Prepare compelling presentations, reports, and other necessary documentation for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring accuracy and professional presentation. This includes scientific communications, internal updates, and training materials.
  • Team Coordination: Facilitate effective communication and coordination within the Medical Department, supporting medical teams in their daily activities, project execution, and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Market Intelligence: Conduct research and gather competitive intelligence to identify market trends, competitor activities, and new opportunities relevant to the medical field, sharing actionable insights with the department.
  • Project Participation: Actively participate in prospective task forces and contribute to "must-have" projects for the brand, as defined by the country's strategic priorities within the medical function.
• Healthcare Professional (HCP) Engagement & Communication
  • Network Building: Support the Medical Department in establishing, nurturing, and expanding a strong network of key healthcare professionals (KOLs and prescribers), including dermatologists, pediatricians, general practitioners, and pharmacists.
  • Product Expertise: Assist in educating HCPs on L'Oréal's dermo-cosmetic products, articulating their unique selling propositions, scientific formulations, key ingredients, rigorous efficacy tests, and precise usage instructions through various communication channels.
  • Scientific Dissemination: Ensure timely and accurate dissemination of scientific and technical documentation to HCPs, serving as a reliable point of contact for product-related inquiries and managing communication flows.
  • Event Representation: Support the Medical Department in representing the brand at professional medical events, conferences, workshops, and webinars, facilitating engagements and reinforcing brand presence and scientific credibility. This includes logistical support and content preparation.
  • Content Development: Contribute to the development and review of medical communication materials, including scientific abstracts, publications, educational modules, and digital content for HCPs.
• Data Analysis & Reporting for the Medical Department
  • Performance Monitoring: Assist in closely monitoring and analyzing the effectiveness of medical initiatives, including engagement metrics, scientific dissemination reach, and key performance indicators (KPIs), to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for the department.
  • Competitor Analysis: Systematically monitor and analyze competitor activities, product launches, and strategies within the medical and scientific landscape to help differentiate LOréal's offerings and maintain a competitive edge.
  • Database Management: Maintain and update comprehensive medical databases of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), HCP interactions, and scientific resources, ensuring data accuracy and accessibility for the entire department.
  • Reporting: Prepare regular reports on medical activities, communication metrics, and market insights for the Medical Department leadership and relevant internal stakeholders.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with other internal departments (e.g., Marketing, Regulatory, Sales) to ensure alignment and synergy in medical communications and engagement strategies.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Education & Experience
  • Academic Background: A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree or diploma in a relevant medical or biological science field is highly preferred (e.g., Pharmaceutical Technology, Microbiology, Pharmacy, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Life Sciences).
  • Professional Experience: Proven work experience (typically 2-4 years) in medical or pharmaceutical sales, particularly within the dermo-cosmetics industry, is highly desirable. Experience in a similar support role with a demonstrable track record of success is a significant advantage.
• Technical Skills
  • Scientific Acumen: Strong scientific and medical knowledge, especially pertaining to skin physio-pathology, relevant treatments, and the broader medical and pharmaceutical environment.
  • Software Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) is essential for effective communication, data analysis, and presentation creation.
  • CRM Systems: Familiarity with CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems for managing HCP interactions, creating and updating records, and tracking activities is valuable.
• Soft Skills & Competencies
  • Communication Excellence: Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences (HCPs, internal teams). Bilingualism (e.g., French and English) may be a requirement depending on the region.
  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical abilities to interpret market data, KPIs, and competitive intelligence, coupled with robust problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
  • Organizational & Detail-Oriented: Superior organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively, often working independently.
  • Interpersonal & Collaborative: Highly developed interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships. A collaborative team spirit and the ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team are paramount.
  • Proactive & Entrepreneurial: A proactive and entrepreneurial approach to managing tasks and contributing to territory success, demonstrating strong self-motivation and a results-orientation.
  • Adaptability: High degree of flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment, and comfortable with ambiguity.
  • Sales & Negotiation Aptitude: While primarily a support role, an understanding of sales principles and a natural aptitude for persuasion and negotiation, particularly within a medical context, are beneficial.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition or disability. We adhere to all local Labour Relations legislation.

Closing Date: 31 October 2025