Director of Medical Affairs - Ophthalmology

Job Description

Role Summary 

• The U.S. Director of Medical Affairs (US DMA) - Ophthalmology position resides in the Value & Implementation (V&I) organization, which includes Global Medical and Scientific Affairs as well as Outcomes Research. 

• The US DMA is a regionally based position within U.S. Medical Affairs (USMA). This position strategically drives scientific excellence across in-line business and our company pipeline while optimizing field readiness across the USMA strategic pillars: 1) Scientific Exchange; 2) Company Trials; 3) Investigator-Sponsored Programs; 4) Congresses; and 5) Scientific Insights. 

• The US DMA is an experienced therapeutic area (TA) leader and subject-matter expert (SME) with relevant medical affairs and field medical experience.  This role is also responsible for driving execution of scientific and medical affairs plans for assigned TAs within their region, engaging with regional cross-functional teams, and providing U.S. input to the relevant cross-functional team meetings, e.g., U.S. Medical Affairs Team (MAT), Payor Access Team (PAT), Management Team (MT) and V&I Plans. 

• As a core member (or co-lead) of the U.S. MAT, the US DMA collaborates with the Global TA team and cross-functional partners to enable U.S. regional implementation of V&I Planning by: 

• • Integrating local insights into Global Scientific Value Content (GSVC) and Center of Scientific Exchange Excellence (CSEE) plans. 

• • Facilitating local adoption of GSVC and CSEE initiatives. 

• • Leading development and execution of aligned local training programs. 

• • Evaluating training effectiveness and application in the field. 

Responsibilities and Primary Activities:

• In collaboration with USMA Executive Director (ED) and Payer & Health Systems Payor & Access Strategy Lead (PHS PASL), conducts development and implementation of regional strategies aligned with headquarters V&I goals including defining a prioritized USMA Field strategy and implementation goals. 
• Contributes to the integrated U.S. Country Medical Affairs Plan (CMAP), including the U.S. Field Medical Plan (FMP)/Field Engagement Plan (FEP), and field training plan for assigned TA as a member of the USMA TA Leadership Team. 

• Identifies and prioritizes U.S. field resources, training needs and activities; and in collaboration with V&I Global Medical & Value Capabilities (V&I GMVC), ensures strategically aligned content and training and any other needed adult learning activities across the portfolio. This would also include the pull-through of pre- and post-congress regional training and content. 

• Develops a strategic and comprehensive scientific engagement plan and ensures scientific exchange aligns with the global scientific communications platform. 

• Ensures insights from advisory boards and field medical activities are actioned with relevant stakeholders, aligned with Country Medical Affairs priorities, and monitored for trends impacting future strategy. 

• In collaboration with relevant USMA stakeholders (e.g. PHS PASL), organizes expert input events (e.g., advisory boards, forums) with contracted scientific leaders and key stakeholders to address new indication implementation and/or emerging science. 

• Manages programs (i.e., patient support, education, risk management) as needed for appropriate and safe utilization of company medicines. 

• Partners with GSVC, CSEE, U.S. Global Clinical Trial Organization (GCTO), V&I Global Medical and Scientific Affairs (V&I GMSA) TA leads, and internal/external SMEs to orchestrate and deliver regional training as needed. 

• Participates in bi-directional information exchange and sharing of best practices across USMA roles and teams, including Payer & Health Systems. 

• Collaborates with the USMA Director of Implementation and Strategic Execution (DISE) to ensure consistent standards, processes and harmonization for training activities (e.g., clinical immersions, verbalizations, journal clubs). 

• Provides input into strategic congress priorities and participates in planning at key scientific congresses. 

• Continuously monitors health-care environment and emerging trends to optimize CMAPs and field execution plans. 

Additional Responsibilities (as applicable) 

• Serves as a point of contact for development and maintenance of U.S. new-hire scientific foundational onboarding in collaboration with leadership and SMEs. 

• Works with USMA Leadership and V&I GMVC stakeholders to ensure consistent verbalization processes for new hires and tenured Regional Medical Scientific Directors (RMSDs) regarding new data, indications, and disease areas. 

• Provides support for the Investigator Studies Program (ISP) for assigned TA, including Areas of Interest consultation, dissemination, data highlights, training, and scientific review as requested by the V&I GMSA ED. 

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Minimum

• An advanced degree (e.g., MD, PhD, PharmD) relevant to the TA-specific disease area and recognized medical expertise in the TA (ophthalmology). 

• A minimum of five years of medical affairs experience or equivalent clinical/research experience. 

• A minimum of three years of working in TA (clinical, research or pharmaceutical environment) or within a highly relevant TA with demonstrated scientific acumen. 

• Proven ability in strategic decision-making and planning, including helping the U.S. Executive Director prioritize initiatives across the portfolio. 

• Demonstrated execution excellence with a track record of leading complex projects, managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. 

• Embraces an AI-first mindset by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools and demonstrating a willingness to learn and implement new approaches, without requiring deep technical expertise. 

• Strong emotional intelligence to foster trust and respect within a complex, matrixed organizational structure. 

• Exceptional networking and partnerships skills to collaborate effectively across teams and stakeholders. 

• Agile mindset as a change catalyst, committed to experimenting, learning and adapting in response to evolving business needs, and capable of driving continuous improvement. 

• Expertise in interpreting and communicating complex scientific concepts clearly in both one-on-one and group settings. 

• Deep knowledge of the U.S. health-care system, including national treatment guidelines, clinical research processes, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, and Office of Inspector General (OIG) compliance. 

• The ability to travel up to 40% (e.g., congresses). 

Preferred 

• Field Medical Affairs experience. 

• University-level teaching experience and understanding of adult learning principles. 

• Experience with innovative pharmaceutical training platforms. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. 

• Ability to quickly assimilate new subject areas and work independently on complex problems 

#eligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Medical Affairs, Ocular Diseases, Ophthalmology, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Professional Networking, Scientific Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, Strategy Deployment

Preferred Skills:

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US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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The primary location for this posting is:

USA - REMOTE - REMOTE

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$190,800.00 - $300,300.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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

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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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Remote

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

11/3/2026

*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.