Executive Director, Oncology Policy Tumor

MSD; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 256,000 - 403,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

MSD is seeking an Executive Director to lead Oncology policy and public affairs, coordinating global engagement with health organizations and multilateral forums. The role develops policy, financing, and access strategies across inline and pipeline products while guiding a small team and partnering with senior leaders.

The position reports to the AVP, Oncology Policy, and offers hybrid work in Upper Gwynedd PA, Rahway NJ, or Washington DC, with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field (MPP, MPH/MSPH, MPA, PhD, JD).
• 15+ years of experience in global Oncology policy, including engagement with global public health organizations (e.g., WHO).
• Demonstrated success in shaping public policy and advancing strategic objectives through engagement with global institutions.
• Proven ability to provide strategic thought leadership to senior executives on policy, geopolitical, and public health issues.
• Demonstrated team leadership across matrixed, cross-functional organizations.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication, including executive briefing materials and presentations.
• Ability to navigate complex global policy, regulatory environments and develop enterprise-wide solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of integrated engagement strategies with global public health organizations focused on Oncology for enterprise objectives.
• Serve as the company’s senior Oncology policy expert and public affairs representative to global oncology organizations and multilateral forums.
• Partner with senior Oncology leaders to provide policy, geopolitical, and public health expertise for enterprise strategies.
• Lead a team of three professionals focused on priority tumor areas and align with Oncology Policy strategy.
• Identify emerging global public health, policy, and geopolitical trends and advise senior leadership on risks and opportunities.
• Foster strategic relationships with senior leaders across global public health organizations to advance priorities.
• Oversee briefing materials for senior leadership engagements with policymakers and stakeholders.
• Develop internal and external narratives communicating key developments and enterprise positions.
• Drive engagement with trade associations and global health coalitions and lead related working groups.
• Contribute to strategic planning and performance evaluation for Global Public Policy.

Skills

Advocacy Campaigns

Advocacy Communications

Global Policy

Policy Development

Regulatory Development

Public Health

Executive Communication

Team Leadership

Education

Advanced degree in Public Policy / Public Health / Public Administration / Political Science / Intl Relations

Job description

Job Description

The Executive Director will serve as the company’s senior Oncology policy and public affairs representativeand lead the development and execution of integrated policy and engagement strategies with global stakeholders and public health organizations focused on Oncology. The role will support enterprise objectives across inline and pipeline products, including the development ofpolicy, financing, and access solutions in markets worldwide.

The Executive Director will lead a team of three tumor policy experts and partner with policy and cross-functional leaders to develop and execute enterprise-wide strategies that advance key therapeutic area objectives.

This position reports to the Associate Vice President, Oncology Policy, and will be based in Upper Gwynedd (PA), Rahway, NJ, or Washington, DC.

Scope of Work and Core Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of integrated engagement strategies with global public health organizations focused on Oncology in support of enterprise objectives across inline and pipeline products.
• Serve as the company’s senior Oncology policy expert and public affairs representative to global oncology organizations and multilateral forums, helping to develop, shape, and influence key public health policies and positions.
• Partner with senior Oncology commercial and cross-functional leaders to provide policy, geopolitical, and public health expertise that informs enterprise strategies and business plans.
• Lead a team of three professionals focused on priority tumor areas and ensure alignment with the overall Oncology Policy strategy.
• Identify emerging global public health, policy, and geopolitical trends and advise senior leadership on risks, opportunities, and implications for enterprise strategy.
• Foster and strengthen strategic relationships with senior leaders across global public health organizations to advance enterprise priorities and support long-term organizational objectives.
• Oversee the development of briefing materials to support senior leadership engagements with policymakers, public health leaders, and internal stakeholders.
• Lead the development of internal and external narratives that effectively communicate key developments, strategic priorities, and enterprise positions related to global public health organizations.
• Drive strategies to maximize the impact of engagement with trade associations and global health coalitions, including participation and leadership in relevant working groups, task forces, and committees.
• Contribute to strategic planning, priority setting, and performance evaluation processes for the Global Public Policy function.

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience:

• Required: Advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field (e.g., MPP, MPH/MSPH, MPA, PhD, JD).
• 15+ years of experience in global Oncology policy, including significant engagement with global public health organizations (e.g., WHO) and/or direct experience within those institutions.
• Demonstrated success in shaping public policy and advancing strategic objectives through engagement with global institutions, multilateral organizations, think tanks, advocacy groups, and other influential stakeholders.
• Proven ability to provide strategic thought leadership and counsel to senior executives on complex policy, geopolitical, and public health issues.
• Demonstrated team leadership skills and the ability to lead across highly matrixed, cross-functional organizations and drive alignment around enterprise priorities.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the development of executive-level briefing materials, presentations, and strategic communications.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex global policy, regulatory, and legislative environments; anticipate emerging issues; and develop innovative, enterprise-wide solutions.
• Strong program and project leadership skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple strategic priorities in fast-paced, time-sensitive environments.
• Experience leading and collaborating across culturally diverse global teams and fostering strong internal and external partnerships.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.

Required Skills:

• Adaptability
• Adaptability
• Advocacy Campaigns
• Advocacy Communications
• Animal Health Care
• Business Administration
• Communication Coordination
• Compliance Support
• Cytopathology
• EU Policy Making
• Global Policy
• Global Team Collaboration
• Healthcare Policies
• Market Access
• Multilateral Organizations
• Noncommunicable Diseases
• Oncology
• Outcomes Research
• Pathology
• Patient Advocacy
• Personal Initiative
• Pipeline Development
• Policy Development
• Political Forums
• Regulatory Development
• {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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

$255,800.00 - $402,700.00

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.

• medical
• dental
• vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

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

Employee Status:

Regular

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Job Posting End Date:

09/11/2026

*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.