Associate Director, Vaccines Business Lead - Gulf Markets

Merck Sharp & Dohme IDEA Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 367,000 - 515,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company is seeking a Director to manage vaccine operations across Gulf markets. This role involves strategic business leadership, stakeholder management, and tender excellence. The ideal candidate will have 7-10 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales and a strong understanding of healthcare systems in the Gulf region. Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of Arabic is preferred. Competitive compensation and opportunities for market impact await the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7-10 years in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, or business development.
• Proven experience in Gulf markets with understanding of diverse healthcare systems.
• Experience in public sector tenders and private market development preferred.
• Vaccines experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Vaccines Business in Gulf markets through financial performance.
• Develop strategies for public and private sector opportunities.
• Manage government tender processes effectively.

Skills

Business Management

Market Access

Marketing Management

People Management

Policy Management

Public Sector Management

Sales Management

Strategic Thinking

Tender Management

Vaccine Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Overview

Position Overview

This position reports directly to the Vaccines Business Unit Director and is responsible for all vaccine business across the Gulf markets (UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain & Oman).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Leadership: Lead Vaccines Business in Gulf markets through strong financial performance and operational excellence
• Strategic Business Leadership: Develop and execute market-specific strategies for public sector tenders and private sector opportunities
• Strategic Business Leadership: Navigate diverse regulatory environments and healthcare systems across the five Gulf countries
• Tender Management Excellence: Lead public sector sales strategy across UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain & Oman
• Tender Management Excellence: Manage government tender processes including bid preparation pricing strategies and stakeholder engagement
• Tender Management Excellence: Build and maintain relationships with Ministry of Health officials procurement committees and key decision-makers
• Stakeholder Management: Liaise with key opinion leaders physicians and target groups across all markets
• Stakeholder Management: Maintain relationships with government officials procurement teams and healthcare administrators
• Stakeholder Management: Coordinate with cross-functional teams locally and regionally
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead recruit and develop high-performing vaccine teams across multiple markets
• Team Leadership & Development: Provide coaching and support for team development plans
• Team Leadership & Development: Foster collaboration culture between team members and internal stakeholders

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelors degree required (Advanced degree preferred)
• Minimum 7-10 years in pharmaceutical sales marketing or business development
• Proven experience in Gulf markets with understanding of diverse healthcare systems
• Experience in both public sector tenders and private market development preferred
• Vaccines Experience is preferred

Core Competencies:

• Multi-Market Expertise: Deep understanding of Gulf healthcare systems regulatory environments and market dynamics
• Public Sector Acumen: Experience with government tender processes procurement procedures and stakeholder management
• Collaboration: Strong collaboration skills within organization and cross-divisional teams
• Communication: Ability to articulate messages across diverse cultural and professional contexts
• Results Focus: Driven results-oriented thinking with high performance standards

Language & Cultural Requirements:

• Fluency in English required
• Arabic language skills preferred
• Ability to travel frequently across the five Gulf markets

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Additional Information

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills: Business Management Market Access Marketing Management People Management Policy Management Public Sector Management Sales Management Strategic Thinking Tender Management Vaccine Management

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date: 09/13/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Required Experience:

Director