Public Policy Director — Vaccines & Health Innovation

Merck; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 191,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Washington, DC is seeking a Director, U.S. Public Policy with a law degree to lead policy development for vaccines and our investigational long-acting influenza antiviral.

You will provide legal and policy analysis across access, reimbursement, pricing, intellectual property, and oversight, partnering with cross‑functional colleagues. You will build relationships with government officials and policy organizations, translate complex policy developments into actionable recommendations for

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree is required.
• Seven years of relevant experience in public policy, government, public affairs, a trade association, or biopharmaceutical sector.
• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. public policy and legislative, regulatory, and administrative processes at federal/state level.
• Experience addressing public health matters and leading policy work on vaccines and on antiviral products; pricing, reimbursement, and patient access.
• Strong legal research, analysis, and drafting skills; ability to develop practical recommendations with cross-functional colleagues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to engage with senior leaders and high-level external stakeholders.
• Experience working across culturally diverse and matrixed teams with collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy development and execution for vaccines and for the investigational long-acting influenza antiviral; monitor federal, regulatory, and administrative developments across public health, prevention, access, coverage, reimbursement, and health-system infrastructure.
• Coordinate with legal counsel as needed, including issues on pricing, reimbursement, access, intellectual property, and oversight.
• Develop evidence-based policy positions, comment letters, and submissions, integrating public health evidence, legal analysis, and business considerations with cross-functional colleagues.
• Translate complex policy developments into clear insights, implications, options, and recommendations for senior policy and business leaders.
• Identify emerging risks and opportunities; develop proactive strategies to advance or protect priority policy outcomes.
• Build and maintain relationships with government officials, public health organizations, patient and provider groups, policy organizations, and partners; represent Merck in coalition meetings.
• Lead cross-functional policy workstreams from strategy through execution, including workplans, budgets, and measures of progress.
• Manage policy research, consultants, and other resources to strengthen policy development and advocacy strategies.

Skills

Healthcare Policies

Patient Advocacy

Policy Analysis

Policy Development

Public Health

Regulatory Development

Strategic Planning

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree

Job description

Merck in Washington, DC is seeking a Director, U.S. Public Policy with a law degree to lead policy development for vaccines and our investigational long-acting influenza antiviral.

You will provide legal and policy analysis across access, reimbursement, pricing, intellectual property, and oversight, partnering with cross‑functional colleagues. You will build relationships with government officials and policy organizations, translate complex policy developments into actionable recommendations for