Job Description
Role Summary
- The Regional Director Medical Affairs (RDMA) position sits in in the Value & Implementation (V&I) organization, which includes GMSA as well as Outcomes Research
- The RDMA is responsible for driving execution of scientific- and medical-affairs plans for their assigned Therapeutic Area (TA) in the countries of their assigned region. The RDMA may chair the Regional Value and Implementation Team (RVIT) to ensure execution of agreed medical tactics and leverage best practices. They are impactful members of regional cross-functional teams, including regional Commercial, Outcomes Research, Policy, and Market Access. They engage with their network of scientific leaders in their region.
- This is a regionally based position (i.e., residing in one of the affiliates of the region or regional hub) in the V&I Global Medical & Scientific Affairs (V&I GMSA) organization.
Responsibilities and Primary Activities
- Lead and guide country V&I GMSA staff to execute the annual V&I scientific and medical plan for their assigned TA.
- May chair the Regional Value and Implementation Team (RVIT), to ensure execution of agreed medical tactics and leverage best practices.
- Leads collaborative decision-making and open dialogue within the RVIT team.
- Setting and prioritizing V & I regional strategic goals as part of the RVIT.
- Consolidating and communicating regional input to global V&I teams (e.g., one-pager summaries, other input).
- Managing data gaps, supporting execution agility, and ensuring consistency across TAs and countries.
- Actively participates in meaningful, strategy-focused regional discussions within RVITs, contributing insights and driving alignment on priorities and trade-offs.
- Translate global V&I goals into regional priorities aligned with countries need
- Collaborates with in country partners, RSLs, and global TA team members to drive strategic discussion, clear prioritization, and execution efficacy - ensuring integration, consistency, and cross-regional best practice sharing across teams and functions.
- Ensures scientific exchange is aligned with the global scientific-communications platform.
- Partners with regional Commercial, Outcomes Research, Policy, and Market Access to drive development and execution of regional plans.
- Consolidates actionable medical insights into strategic implications from countries in their region to help re-shape priorities as needed.
- Engages with a network of contracted scientific leaders (SLs) and other key stakeholders (therapeutic-guideline committees, payers, public groups, government officials, medical societies) from their region to deliver excellence in scientific exchange—focused, meaningful interactions that generate clear, actionable insights to inform strategy and implementation.
- Supports aligned priorities, as regional TA expert, affiliate staff in engagement with their national scientific leaders.
- Organizes regional expert-input events to answer our company’s questions regarding how to implement new indications (e.g., advisory boards and expert-input forums).
- Organizes regional symposia and educational meetings.
- Supports countries with the development of local data-generation study concepts and protocols.
- Reviews Investigator-Initiated Study proposals prior to headquarters submission (ex-U.S.).
- Manages regional programs (patient support, educational or risk management) to support appropriate and safe utilization of our company’s medicines.Commits to innovating with new technology resources, including but not limited to AI and Genesis
Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Minimum
- MD, PhD or PharmD (MD preferred) and recognized medical expertise in the therapy area.
- Five or more years of experience in country/region Medical Affairs.
- HIV expertise and experience is required
- Strong prioritization and decision-making skills.
- Able to effectively collaborate with partners across divisions in a matrix environment.
- Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and communication (written as well as oral) skills, in addition to results-oriented project-management skills.
- Experience leading or participating in cross-functional teams (e.g., RVIT or similar strategic forums) and driving alignment across countries and functions.
- Ability to travel up to 35%
Preferred
- Scientific leadership and other key stakeholders (payers, public groups, government officials, medical professional organizations) in the assigned therapeutic area.
Additional location(s) Compensation Information:
Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), Clinical Development, Clinical Outcomes, Cross-Functional Project Management, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Global Coordination, Healthcare Education, Hematology and Oncology, Internal Validation, Interpersonal Relationships, Matrix Management, Medical Affairs, Medical Sciences, Medical Studies, Medical Writing, Oncology Marketing, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Policy Revisions, Project Leadership, Results-Oriented, Scientific Communications, Strategic Alignment {+ 6 more}
Preferred Skills:
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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:
Hybrid
Shift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
11/13/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
