Executive Director, Vaccines & Infectious Disease Policy

Socket.dev; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 256,000 - 403,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States seeks an Executive Director, Global Public Policy for Vaccines & Infectious Disease to lead global policy strategy and advocacy initiatives. The role coordinates cross‑functional efforts and engages senior stakeholders to advance franchise objectives.

The position is U.S.-based with location options in Washington, DC, Upper Gwynedd PA, or Rahway NJ; hybrid work arrangement is noted.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive public policy experience with vaccine and infectious disease focus.
• Experience with government and NGO policy actors in vaccine issues.
• Ability to lead diverse teams across geographies in a complex global organization.
• Strong knowledge of healthcare public policy processes and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of global vaccine policy strategy aligned with franchise priorities.
• Provide strategic leadership for policy engagement and cross‑functional coordination.
• Direct a cross‑franchise, geographically broad team and drive enterprise execution.
• Guide regional policy objective advancement with country teams.
• Manage external forums and stakeholder communications with trade bodies and governments.
• Advise senior leadership on evolving policy, geopolitical and public health issues.
• Build relationships with senior governmental, multilateral, NGO, and patient advocacy stakeholders.

Skills

Policy Analysis

Public Policy Development

Cross‑Functional Leadership

Strategic Communication

Public Speaking

Education

Advanced degree in Public Policy / Public Health

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.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Global Vaccines & Infectious Disease Policy, the Executive Director will be responsible for shaping and driving our company's global vaccines and infectious disease policy strategy, advancing advocacy priorities, and representing the company in external forums. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership across Global Public Policy and Strategic Access, Policy and Communications, coordinating enterprise-wide policy initiatives and guiding global, regional, and country-level cross‑functional efforts. Leading the Vaccines and Infectious Disease Policy team, this individual will ensure policy strategies advance business objectives, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and support long‑term franchise growth.

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}

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 if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Salary

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