Medical Director Therapeutic Area

Job Description

Our Medical Affairs team advances patient care by engaging in scientific exchange with external medical experts and industry leaders ensuring the scientific value of our products is understood. We connect, communicate and train internal employees to ensure a thorough understanding of the science behind the medicine and review further unmet medical needs to support collaboration to further differentiate our portfolio.

The Medical Director Therapeutic Area - Vaccines & General Medicines (GMA) is an important Medical Leader and point of contact for TA-related GMA activities for the Country/Cluster as aligned with the LATAM region. Will be the primary Country/Cluster contact for ID/Vax/General Specialty Medicine Medical Affairs and will aim to strengthen internal and external partnerships within the Country/Cluster for those TAs to increase overall performance in areas of unmet need.

This position is responsible for:

One Medical Voice

• Matrix leadership of Country/Cluster Oncology Therapeutic Area (TA) team to ensure bidirectional communication and implementation of Global TAs strategy.

• Leads the ID/Vax and the General Specialty Medicine team within the Country/Cluster aligning with regional and global strategy and adapting to the Country/Cluster culture.

• Serves as core member of Country/Cluster Leadership Team, supports OneGMA Country/Cluster Medical Director (C/CMD)

• Close interaction with Regional TA Team around regional priorities

• Key stakeholder in Regional Medical Affairs Teams (RMATRVITs) meetings as well as Scientific, Medical Affairs and Research Teams (V&I and CMAPs) planning

• Collaborates with Regional Strategy Lead as well as Regional Director Medical Affairs (RDMAs) team to ensure understanding and execution of regional priorities as well as those of the country.

• Budget planning and execution for Countries/Cluster

• Work closely with Regional Global Medical Affairs Capabilities (GMVC hub) and Strategy and Alignment team for pull through of key initiatives

• Contact point for Country/Cluster alliances medical affairs teams for strategic discussions

Cross functional working

• Core member of Country/Cluster Vaccines and Gen Med Human Health (HH) Commercial Business Line (CBL) Leadership Team. Provide pan-tumor updates, scientific expertise and insights to LT

• Work with Pricing and Market Access team to ensure added value from TA Medical Affairs with the aim of securing access for appropriate patients in region

• Key input to Regulatory Affairs as a part of the cross functional Country/Cluster team that drives input to regulatory submissions

• Partnership with clinical development team and Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO) particularly in solving complex issues and to ensure strategic alignment

• Partner Qualified Person Responsible for Pharmacovigilance (QPPV) on critical safety issues as needed for example the extensive  Additional Risk Minimization Measures

• Align with the Local Data Generation (LDG ) Country/Cluster lead the development of Country/Cluster LDGs working with Outcomes Research as well (OR). Key stakeholder in design of V&I studies

External stakeholder engagement

• Drive and lead our company in relationships with key professional societies in the Country/Cluster

• Close collaboration with cooperative Groups and investigators across the country/ region

• Establish and manage relationships with the top 25-30 key scientific leaders (SLs) across the Country/Cluster and across TAs

• Key role in Country/Cluster tumor specific Advisory Boards, Group Input Meetings (GIMs) and Scientific Input Exchange (SIEs)

• Close work with our Policy to develop external interactions with governments, payers etc. (presenting as needed)

Innovation and digital solutions

• Explore novel innovative and digital solutions both internally and externally

• Work closely with GMVC D-team, GMA IT and our Ventures

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Required

• M.D., with preferred clinical degree (medical training, residence) in infectology or CV or immunology or HCP with PhD. Additional advanced degrees, entry on a Specialist Register (Pharmaceutical Medicine or a relevant clinical specialty) are a strong plus.

• Strong communication skills and ability to influence senior stakeholders

• Demonstrated effective organizational skills, including ability to set goals and align priorities.

• At least 10 years experience in pharmaceutical industry.

Preferred

• Experience with people management

• Strong understanding of the local compliance environment in which Medical Affairs functions.

• Strong business acumen, ethics and credible reputation with the external scientific community.

• Demonstrated track record of success in Medical Affairs with industry-leading performance.

• Demonstrable track record of meaningful contributions to an executive leadership team beyond the medical affairs function such as Clinical, Commercial, Outcomes Research.

• Experience in the development or field management of interventional/non interventional clinical studies.

• Demonstrated creativity and effectiveness in addressing strategic challenges. Possesses an entrepreneurial mindset; capable of thinking out of the box and taking measured risks.

• Experience working in global and regional medical affairs functions.

• Able to understand issues across a global affiliate network and contribute relevant insights as appropriate.

• Comfortable and skilled at managing a highly complex matrix organization.

• Experience in global biopharmaceutical industry in Clinical Development and/or Medical Affairs with demonstrated successful track record.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Required Skills:

Budget Management, Data Analysis, Healthcare Education, Infectious Disease Research, Leadership, Management Process, Medical Care, Medical Information, Medical Marketing Strategy, Medical Review, People Leadership, Professional Integrity, Professional Networking, Regulatory Compliance, Scientific Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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:

Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

No

Job Posting End Date:

11/2/2025

*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.

Requisition ID:R370551

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