Executive Director, Vaccines & Infectious Disease Policy

Merck; North Wales (Montgomery County); Hybrid; USD 256,000 - 403,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Merck is seeking an Executive Director, Global Public Policy for Vaccines & Infectious Disease in the United States, with preferred location in Washington, DC, Upper Gwynedd PA, or Rahway NJ. Lead strategy and advocacy, drive cross-functional policy initiatives, and engage global stakeholders to advance vaccine policy objectives.

You will oversee a broad policy team, collaborate across functions, and influence policy at regional and global levels, while guiding executive-level briefings and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in public policy, with significant vaccine and infectious disease policy exposure.
• Experience with government and non-governmental organizations active on vaccine and infectious disease public policy issues.
• Ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams across broad policy areas and geographies.
• Strong knowledge of healthcare public policy processes and stakeholder influence.
• Ability to set strategic direction and lead complex initiatives from concept to impact.
• Proven ability to provide strategic counsel to senior executives on policy and public health issues.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex global policy, regulatory, and legislative environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the Global Vaccine and Infectious Disease Policy strategy.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for policy engagement across internal stakeholders.
• Lead a cross-franchise, geographically broad team and drive enterprise-wide execution.
• Engage with regional and country policy teams to advance regional policy objectives.
• Manage policy cross-therapeutic efforts and engage with external forums and stakeholders.
• Serve as policy point person and trusted advisor to senior leadership on policy developments.
• Build relationships with senior governmental, multilateral, NGO and patient advocacy stakeholders.

Skills

Coalition Management

Communication Management

Executive Presence

Global Coordination

Government Relations

Policy Analysis

Policy Development

Policy Implementation

Policy Research

Public Speaking

Public Policy Writing

Public Health Policy Development

Regulatory Development

Education

Advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, or related field

Job description

Job Description

The Executive Director, Global Public Policy, Vaccines & Infectious Disease will lead the development and execution of global public policy strategies and advocacy initiatives in support of our company's Vaccines and Infectious Disease franchises.

This position is U.S.-based with the option to be located in Washington, D.C. (preferred), Upper Gwynedd, PA, or Rahway, NJ.

Scope Of Work And Core Responsibilities Includes

• Lead the development and execution of the Global Vaccine and Infectious Disease Policy strategy, ensuring alignment with franchise priorities and enterprise objectives across Strategic Access, Policy and Communications, Human Health, and Research and Development (R&D).
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for policy engagement across Strategic Access, Policy and Communications and other internal stakeholders to ensure a coordinated, consistent, and high-impact advocacy approach with key policy stakeholders and organizations.
• Lead a cross-franchise, geographically broad team, fostering organizational effectiveness, talent development, and a high-performance culture while driving strategic alignment and enterprise-wide execution.
• Engage with regional and country policy teams to provide strategic guidance and support the advancement of regional and local policy objectives in priority vaccine and infectious disease areas.
• Manage Vaccine and Infectious Disease policy cross-therapeutic and cross-functional efforts internally and in external forums, including with trade associations, multinational organizations, governments, and civil society organizations, and manage stakeholder communication internally and externally, as appropriate
• Serve as the policy point person and trusted strategic advisor to senior Human Health and R&D Vaccine and Infectious Disease leadership on evolving policy, geopolitical, public health, and access-related developments.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior governmental, multilateral, non-governmental, and patient advocacy stakeholders to advance strategic policy objectives and strengthen organizational credibility and impact.

Required Experience And Skills

• 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).
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in public policy, with significant experience in vaccine and infectious disease policy, health policy, and related trade issues.
• Experience with and expert knowledge of government and non-governmental organizations active on vaccine and infectious disease public policy issues
• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams across broad policy areas and geographies, while effectively managing resources, priorities, and organizational change in a complex global environment.
• Strong knowledge of healthcare public policy processes, including the roles and influence of various stakeholders in vaccine and infectious disease policy.
• Demonstrated ability to set strategic direction, prioritize enterprise policy objectives, and lead complex initiatives from concept through implementation and impact.
• Proven ability to provide strategic thought leadership and counsel to senior executives on complex policy, geopolitical, and public health issues.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex global policy, regulatory, and legislative environments; anticipate emerging issues; and develop innovative, enterprise-wide solutions.
• Excellent English-language written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing briefing materials, and demonstrated comfort and ability in public speaking and in delivering briefings to senior leaders
• Demonstrated ability to build alignment and drive collaboration across broad functions, regions, and stakeholder groups in a highly matrixed global organization.

Required Skills

• Coalition Management
• Coalition Management
• Communication Management
• Competency Management
• Corporate Decision Making
• Cross-Functional Project Management
• Executive Presence
• Global Coordination
• Government Relations
• Health Equity
• Legislative Issues
• Media Relations
• People Leadership
• Policy Analysis
• Policy Development
• Policy Implementation
• Policy Research
• Policy Reviews
• Presentation Preparations
• Public Health Policy Development
• Public Policy Analysis
• Public Policy Writing
• Public Relations (PR) Management
• Public Speaking
• Regulatory Development {+ 6 more}

Requirements

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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. 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.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

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