Job Description

US Director of Medical Affairs – Infectious Diseases and Vaccines (Respiratory)

 

Role Summary

The US Director Medical Affairs is a regionally based position within our Research & Development Division, US Medical Affairs. This position strategically drives scientific excellence across in-line business and our Company pipeline while optimizing field readiness across the US Medical Affairs strategic pillars:

1.) Scientific Exchange

2.) Company Trials

3.) Investigator-Sponsored Programs

4.) Congresses

5.) Insights

The US Director Medical Affairs is an experienced therapeutic area leader and subject matter expert with relevant medical affairs and field medical experience. This role is also responsible for driving execution of scientific and medical affairs plans for assigned Therapy Areas (Respiratory Diseases/Infections) within their region, engaging with regional cross-functional teams, and providing US input to the relevant cross-functional team meetings, e.g., US Medical Affairs Team, Prioritization Assessment Team, Management Team and Value and Implementation Team Plans.

As a core member (or co-lead) of the US Medical Affairs Team, the US Director Medical Affairs collaborates with the Global therapeutic area team and cross-functional partners to enable US regional implementation of Value & Implementation Planning by:

1) Integrating local insights into Global Scientific Value Content and Center of Scientific Exchange Excellence plans.

2) Facilitating local adoption of Global Scientific Value Content and Center of Scientific Exchange Excellence initiatives.

3) Leading development and execution of aligned local training programs.

4) Evaluating training effectiveness and application in the field.

 

Primary Responsibilities

• In collaboration with US Medical Affairs Executive Director and Health Systems Payor & Access Strategy Lead, conduct development and implementation of regional strategies aligned with headquarters Value & Implementation goals including defining a prioritized US Medical Affairs Field strategy and implementation goals.
• Contribute to the integrated US Country Medical Affairs Plan, including the US Field Medical Plan/Field Engagement Plan and field training plan for Respiratory Diseases/Infections as a member of the US Medical Affairs Therapeutic Area Leadership Team
• Identifies and prioritizes US field resources, training needs and activities; and in collaboration with Global Medical and Value Capabilities, ensures strategically aligned content and training and any other needed adult learning activities across the portfolio. This would also include the pull-through of pre- and post-congress regional training and content.
• Develop a strategic and comprehensive scientific engagement plan and ensure scientific exchange aligns with the global scientific communications platform.
• Ensure insights from advisory boards and field medical activities are actioned with relevant stakeholders, aligned with Country Medical Affairs priorities, and monitored for trends impacting future strategy.
• In collaboration with relevant US Medical Affairs stakeholders (e.g. Health Systems Payor & Access Strategy Lead), organize expert input events (e.g., advisory boards, forums) with contracted Scientific Leaders and key stakeholders to address new indication implementation and/or emerging science.
• Manage programs (i.e. patient support, education, risk management) as needed for appropriate and safe utilization of company medicines.
• Partner with Global Scientific Value Content, Center of Scientific Exchange Excellence, US Global Clinical Trial Organization, Global Medical and Scientific Affairs, Therapeutic Area leads, and internal/external SMEs to orchestrate and deliver regional training as needed.
• Participate in bi-directional information exchange and sharing of best practices across US Medical Affairs roles and teams, including Health Systems.
• Collaborate with the US Medical Affairs Director of Implementation and Strategic Execution to ensure consistent standards, processes, and harmonization for training activities (e.g., clinical immersions, verbalizations, journal clubs).
• Provide input into strategic congress priorities and participate in planning at key scientific congresses.
• Continuously monitor healthcare environment and emerging trends to optimize Country Medical Affairs Plans and field execution plans.

Additional Responsibilities (as applicable)

• Serve as a point of contact for development and maintenance of US new-hire scientific foundational onboarding in collaboration with leadership and subject matters experts.
• Work with US Medical Affairs Leadership and Global Medical and Value Capabilities stakeholders to ensure consistent verbalization processes for new hires and tenured Regional Medical Scientific Directors regarding new data, indications, and disease areas.
• Provide support for the Investigator Studies Program for assigned Therapeutic Areas, including Areas of Interest consultation, dissemination, data highlights, training, and scientific review as requested by the Global Medical and Scientific Affairs Executive Director. 

Required Qualifications, Skills & Experience Minimum  

        

• An advanced degree (e.g., MD, PhD, PharmD) relevant to the therapeutic area-specific disease area and recognized medical expertise in the Therapeutic Area minimum of 5 years of medical affairs experience or equivalent clinical/research experience.
• A minimum of 3 years of working in Therapeutic Area (clinical, research, or pharmaceutical environment) or within a highly relevant Therapeutic Area with demonstrated scientific acumen.
• Proven ability in Strategic Decision Making & Planning, including helping the US Executive Director prioritize initiatives across the portfolio.
• Demonstrated Execution Excellence with a track record of leading complex projects, managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong Emotional Intelligence to foster trust and respect within a complex, matrixed organizational structure.
• Exceptional Networking & Partnerships skills to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Agile mindset as a Change Catalyst, committed to experimenting, learning, and adapting in response to evolving business needs, and capable of driving continuous improvement.
• Expertise in interpreting and communicating complex scientific concepts clearly in both one-on-one and group settings.
• Deep knowledge of the US healthcare system, including national treatment guidelines, clinical research processes, FDA regulations, and OIG compliance.
• The ability to travel up to 40% (i.e.: Congresses) 

Preferred

• Field Medical Affairs experience.
• University-level teaching experience and understanding of adult learning principles.
• Experience with innovative pharmaceutical training platforms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to quickly assimilate new subject areas and work independently on complex problems.

#EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Advisory Board Development, Advisory Board Development, Decision Making, External Collaboration, Immunizations, Implement Training Programs, Infectious Disease, Infectious Disease Research, Investigator-Initiated Studies (IIS), Medical Affairs, Medical Studies, Microsoft PowerPoint, Multitasking, Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacoeconomics, Planning Ability, Population Health Management, Prioritization, Professional Integrity, Professional Networking, Progress Monitoring, Scientific Communications, Sound Judgment {+ 8 more}

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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The salary range for this role is

$190,800.00 - $300,300.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

50%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Remote

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

10/19/2026

*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.