Senior Specialist, Medical Affairs

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Specialist, Medical Affairs

Our Medical Affairs team advances patient care by engaging in scientific exchange with external medical experts and industry leaders ensuring the scientific value of our products is understood. We connect, communicate and train internal employees to ensure a thorough understanding of the science behind the medicine and review further unmet medical needs to support collaboration to further differentiate our portfolio.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Senior Medical Advisor (SMA) is primarily responsible for developing and implementing Medical Affairs Plans for their designated assets within the country. Their role involves facilitating the exchange of medical and scientific information between peers and key stakeholders, both internal and external. The SMA serves as an important collaborator on cross-functional teams that include Marketing, Training, Market Access, and Policy. They are tasked with proposing concepts for local data generation studies and, if these are prioritized and funded, securing approval from headquarters through the proper governance channels. The SMA is accountable for the timely execution, analysis, and publication of local studies. They foster trust with the external scientific community by engaging with scientific leaders and organizing country expert input forums to stay informed on advancements in therapy and patient care. Additionally, they effectively collaborate and lead efforts to address regulatory, reputational, ethical, and other asset management challenges within the country.

WHAT YOU WILL DO: Therapy Area to be handled will be Vaccines

Primary Activities – Accountabilities, Supervision
Asset Management & Business Leadership

• Gather actionable medical insights from the country that can inform the company’s strategic decisions.
• Convert the Global Medical Goals and Strategies into research initiatives, data analysis, scientific communication, educational efforts, and other tactics that aim to improve patient outcomes and enhance accessibility within the country.
• Follow up on investigator-initiated study proposals that align with the our company Investigator Study Program (MISP) areas of interest, adhering to the guidance outlined in the MISP Manual.
• Assist in executing the tactical plan and quickly adjust it to align with the business realities in the country.
• Operate with ethics and integrity by providing non-promotional, balanced, reliable, and scientifically sound information, while strictly adhering to company standards and local regulations.

Scientific & Technical Leadership

• Integrate the insights of the country’s scientific and healthcare environment into the Regional Medical Affairs Team.
• Clearly and credibly communicate both scientific and business requirements to a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Build trust with the external scientific community through peer-to-peer exchanges, collaborative research, educational partnerships, interactions with scientific societies and health organizations, publications, and other related efforts.
• Deliver therapeutic and functional training to assigned teams and affiliate functions.
  Design and execute medical educational programs and symposia tailored to the country.
• Organize expert input forums within the country to inform and influence company strategy.
• Engage actively and contribute meaningfully to professional organizations, as well as academic and regulatory working groups.

Regulatory Management

• Successfully collaborate and lead resolution of Regulatory, Reputational (i.e. Public Relations), Compliance and other Asset issues management
• Collaborate in the successful management of asset safety or quality issues, i.e. contribute content and strategy in regulatory responses and interactions, risk management planning and implementation

Medical Information

• Provide prompt medical information support, such as research and answering of medical inquiries from external and internal customers, and review/approval of local response documents.

ABOUT YOU:

Skills, Knowledge, Experience & Qualifications required:

• MD, PhD, degree is required; recognized expertise through 5-10 years. Medical Affairs, Clinical and/or research experience, pharmacovigilance, governance and scientific leader management in the therapy area (Vaccines) is desired.
• Experience in launching innovative products, managing their life cycles, and understanding local pharmaceutical industry guidelines, as well as regulatory and reimbursement frameworks and clinical research guidelines.
• Strategic thinking skills, particularly concerning asset value proposition and evidence related to clinical and value-based outcomes.
• Ability to build a network of scientific leaders and successfully engage with other key stakeholders, including public groups, government officials, and medical professional organizations within various therapeutic areas.
• Desired experience in advocating for patient populations and improving healthcare access.
• Involvement in pursuing consensus recommendations and country-specific guidelines for various medical societies is preferred.
• Demonstrated capability to effectively communicate information at the country management level, with public groups, and to scientific leaders.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, communication (both written and verbal), and project management skills that are results oriented.
• Excellent prioritization skills and an understanding of how decisions align with broader corporate strategies.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions in a matrix environment to achieve successful outcomes.
• Desired competency in budget management.

Our company Leadership Standards applicable to the role include:

• Make Rapid, Disciplined Decisions - Make timely decisions at the right level with the right data and support them once made.
• Act with Courage & Candor - Speak openly, honestly and with conviction: have the courage to take appropriate risks and make difficult decisions.
• Demonstrate Ethics & Integrity - Adhere to the highest standards of trustworthy and ethical behavior in all interactions and hold others to the same standards; comply with all laws, policies and regulations; identify and address ethical issues without hesitation.
• Foster Collaboration - Actively listen and seek to understand differing perspectives; work together to achieve the common goals of the new to our company.
• Focus on Customers & Patients - Focus the entire organization on delivering value for customers, including patients, by understanding and meeting their needs.
• Drive Results - Set clear performance standards; overcome obstacles; hold our-selves and others accountable for achieving results.

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

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

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