Merck
Executive Director, Medical Affairs, Oncology - Breast
Merck, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30383
Overview
The Executive Director (ED) for US Medical Affairs (USMA) understands Our Company’s enterprise level strategies and leads cross-functionally with the Global Medical and Scientific Affairs Therapeutic Area (GMSA TA) teams to translate Global Value and implementation (V&I) goals into the relevant US country-level goals and priorities. The USMA ED is responsible for the creation and execution of the overall therapeutic aligned US strategy and Country-Medical Affairs Plans (CMAP). The ED also leads the Strategic Scientific Engagement Plan for the US, including tactical execution by the field Regional Medical Scientific Director (RMSD) teams and ensures field teams execute on Integrated Field Medical Plans (FMPs) aligned with the Scientific Exchange Field Medical Policy. The ED will focus half of their time on US/Global strategic TA needs and half on leading and managing the US RMSD Field Medical strategy and execution.
Responsibilities Leadership and Management
Serves as a senior leader in the US Medical Affairs (USMA) organization, sets the strategic direction for the Therapeutic Area (TA) program, and oversees the execution of the field medical team of Regional Medical Scientific Directors (RMSDs).
Assesses and determines US strategy and tactical plans for TA aligned deliverables that align with V&I Goals and serves as the Lead for the US Medical Affairs Team (MAT) meetings.
Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with Health Systems (HS) by leading RMSD medical account planning initiatives to enhance collaboration and alignment across Health System accounts.
Provides scientific consultation to Our Company’s Research Laboratories to support scientifically informed and clinically educated decision making.
Responsible for ensuring compliant ways of working from strategy to execution as it relates to our Company’s portfolio.
Collaborates with external alliance partners, where needed, for approved ways of working to bring forth the Alliance Portfolio.
Leads a complex team of field team leaders and newly created strategic directors of medical affairs roles, to provide leadership of full scope of strategic and tactical activities. Supports ongoing development and mentorship to support implementation of individualized employee development priorities.
Develops and effectively manages the yearly budget.
Oversees and ensures appropriate approval of key decisions around program related expenses (i.e. congress participation, routine travel, and all other expenses).
Strategic Planning and Collaboration
Responsible and Accountable for the creation and implementation of the Country Medical Affairs Plans (CMAPs) in collaboration with the necessary internal stakeholders and ensuring the US input into the Global V&I Plans.
Proactively engages with Country Medical Affairs and TA leadership to lead strategic alignment, optimal resource allocation, and effective representation with senior leadership.
Assumes leadership of strategic insight collection and ensures that it aligns with the USMA strategy and facilitates the evaluation and effective sharing of actionable insights to drive continuous refinement of medical strategies and support informed strategic decision-making for scientific platform development, V&I strategies, and RMSD Field Medical Plans (FMP).
Provides Oversight of Field Medical Strategies and tactics that align to the 5 USMA key pillars of objectives: 1) Scientific Exchange 2) Company Trials 3) Investigator-Sponsored Programs 4) Congresses 5) Insights
Coordinates and leads research and scientific field medical capabilities in alignment with Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO) and the broader Global Clinical Development (GCD).
Coordinates with Global Medical Scientific Affairs to ensure team support of IIS with therapeutically assigned areas.
Coordinates with Outcomes Research through the USMA Payer Access Teams (PATs) to ensure team support of therapeutic aligned real-world evidence.
Coordinates strategy, planning, and execution of scientific congress responsibilities comply with all company policies and applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
Education
Doctoral Degree (MD, PharmD, PhD) with demonstrated ability to effectively lead and coach scientific/medical colleagues at all skill and knowledge levels.
Required Experience and Skills
Prior industry experience (≥ 7 years) preferably within relevant TA programs.
5 years of front-line field medical leadership in the pharmaceutical industry, with teams having responsibility for scientific exchange and research support, preferably in relevant TA.
Demonstrated successful leadership of strategic initiatives with a track record of designing and implementing strategic solutions for medical affairs goals.
Proven success operating in a complex, heavily matrixed global organization, balancing priorities across multiple cross-functional stakeholders to drive impactful results.
Executive communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with integrity and emotional intelligence to foster collaboration across internal and external audiences.
Ability to deliver high-level communications to senior leadership to shape and execute TA-aligned strategies and field medical tactics, with an entrepreneurial mindset to identify growth opportunities.
In-depth expertise in local regulatory frameworks, ethical standards, and pharmaceutical compliance requirements.
Proven capability to cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with top scientific leaders and external stakeholders to advance research initiatives aligned with business objectives.
Strong executive leadership with a track record of leading high-performing teams and fostering ownership and excellence.
Deep therapeutic knowledge and thought leadership in disease areas aligned with TA programs, with a commitment to continuous learning and innovation.
Comprehensive understanding of the US healthcare ecosystem and the ability to optimize medical affairs strategies for impact.
Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, capable of independently leading complex initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
Travel up to 50%.
Preferred Experience and Skills
Scientific/medical research and publication experience in the TA, including knowledge of guidelines and collaboration networks.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Veeva, and systems used by field medical teams, with ability to interface with technical platforms for scientific insights.
Experience managing field teams in relevant TAs in the local market with a focus on execution excellence and accountability.
Equal Opportunity and Compliance We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We comply with applicable laws and promote an inclusive work environment. For accommodation during the application process, please contact us. For more information about personal rights under U.S. laws, see EEOC Know Your Rights and related resources.
Additional Information VISA Sponsorship: No. Travel Requirements: 50%. Flexible Work Arrangements: Remote. Employment Status: Regular. Relocation: No relocation. Job posting end date: 09/23/2025.
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The Executive Director (ED) for US Medical Affairs (USMA) understands Our Company’s enterprise level strategies and leads cross-functionally with the Global Medical and Scientific Affairs Therapeutic Area (GMSA TA) teams to translate Global Value and implementation (V&I) goals into the relevant US country-level goals and priorities. The USMA ED is responsible for the creation and execution of the overall therapeutic aligned US strategy and Country-Medical Affairs Plans (CMAP). The ED also leads the Strategic Scientific Engagement Plan for the US, including tactical execution by the field Regional Medical Scientific Director (RMSD) teams and ensures field teams execute on Integrated Field Medical Plans (FMPs) aligned with the Scientific Exchange Field Medical Policy. The ED will focus half of their time on US/Global strategic TA needs and half on leading and managing the US RMSD Field Medical strategy and execution.
Responsibilities Leadership and Management
Serves as a senior leader in the US Medical Affairs (USMA) organization, sets the strategic direction for the Therapeutic Area (TA) program, and oversees the execution of the field medical team of Regional Medical Scientific Directors (RMSDs).
Assesses and determines US strategy and tactical plans for TA aligned deliverables that align with V&I Goals and serves as the Lead for the US Medical Affairs Team (MAT) meetings.
Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with Health Systems (HS) by leading RMSD medical account planning initiatives to enhance collaboration and alignment across Health System accounts.
Provides scientific consultation to Our Company’s Research Laboratories to support scientifically informed and clinically educated decision making.
Responsible for ensuring compliant ways of working from strategy to execution as it relates to our Company’s portfolio.
Collaborates with external alliance partners, where needed, for approved ways of working to bring forth the Alliance Portfolio.
Leads a complex team of field team leaders and newly created strategic directors of medical affairs roles, to provide leadership of full scope of strategic and tactical activities. Supports ongoing development and mentorship to support implementation of individualized employee development priorities.
Develops and effectively manages the yearly budget.
Oversees and ensures appropriate approval of key decisions around program related expenses (i.e. congress participation, routine travel, and all other expenses).
Strategic Planning and Collaboration
Responsible and Accountable for the creation and implementation of the Country Medical Affairs Plans (CMAPs) in collaboration with the necessary internal stakeholders and ensuring the US input into the Global V&I Plans.
Proactively engages with Country Medical Affairs and TA leadership to lead strategic alignment, optimal resource allocation, and effective representation with senior leadership.
Assumes leadership of strategic insight collection and ensures that it aligns with the USMA strategy and facilitates the evaluation and effective sharing of actionable insights to drive continuous refinement of medical strategies and support informed strategic decision-making for scientific platform development, V&I strategies, and RMSD Field Medical Plans (FMP).
Provides Oversight of Field Medical Strategies and tactics that align to the 5 USMA key pillars of objectives: 1) Scientific Exchange 2) Company Trials 3) Investigator-Sponsored Programs 4) Congresses 5) Insights
Coordinates and leads research and scientific field medical capabilities in alignment with Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO) and the broader Global Clinical Development (GCD).
Coordinates with Global Medical Scientific Affairs to ensure team support of IIS with therapeutically assigned areas.
Coordinates with Outcomes Research through the USMA Payer Access Teams (PATs) to ensure team support of therapeutic aligned real-world evidence.
Coordinates strategy, planning, and execution of scientific congress responsibilities comply with all company policies and applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
Education
Doctoral Degree (MD, PharmD, PhD) with demonstrated ability to effectively lead and coach scientific/medical colleagues at all skill and knowledge levels.
Required Experience and Skills
Prior industry experience (≥ 7 years) preferably within relevant TA programs.
5 years of front-line field medical leadership in the pharmaceutical industry, with teams having responsibility for scientific exchange and research support, preferably in relevant TA.
Demonstrated successful leadership of strategic initiatives with a track record of designing and implementing strategic solutions for medical affairs goals.
Proven success operating in a complex, heavily matrixed global organization, balancing priorities across multiple cross-functional stakeholders to drive impactful results.
Executive communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with integrity and emotional intelligence to foster collaboration across internal and external audiences.
Ability to deliver high-level communications to senior leadership to shape and execute TA-aligned strategies and field medical tactics, with an entrepreneurial mindset to identify growth opportunities.
In-depth expertise in local regulatory frameworks, ethical standards, and pharmaceutical compliance requirements.
Proven capability to cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with top scientific leaders and external stakeholders to advance research initiatives aligned with business objectives.
Strong executive leadership with a track record of leading high-performing teams and fostering ownership and excellence.
Deep therapeutic knowledge and thought leadership in disease areas aligned with TA programs, with a commitment to continuous learning and innovation.
Comprehensive understanding of the US healthcare ecosystem and the ability to optimize medical affairs strategies for impact.
Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, capable of independently leading complex initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
Travel up to 50%.
Preferred Experience and Skills
Scientific/medical research and publication experience in the TA, including knowledge of guidelines and collaboration networks.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Veeva, and systems used by field medical teams, with ability to interface with technical platforms for scientific insights.
Experience managing field teams in relevant TAs in the local market with a focus on execution excellence and accountability.
Equal Opportunity and Compliance We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We comply with applicable laws and promote an inclusive work environment. For accommodation during the application process, please contact us. For more information about personal rights under U.S. laws, see EEOC Know Your Rights and related resources.
Additional Information VISA Sponsorship: No. Travel Requirements: 50%. Flexible Work Arrangements: Remote. Employment Status: Regular. Relocation: No relocation. Job posting end date: 09/23/2025.
#J-18808-Ljbffr