Director – Strategic Access - Policy & Communications

Job Description

Overview

At our company Strategic Access, Policy and Communications (SAPC) Director is a strategic enabler of our mission shaping the external environment to improve patient access and strengthen trust in the company through policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and communications. This role sits at the intersection of public policy, market access, and corporate communication, partnering with cross‑functional teams to deliver sustainable impact for patients and the healthcare system.

The SAPC Director provides senior leadership in Thailand to define and delivers an integrated external affairs strategy aligned with the companies regional and global priorities. Leading engagement with government and key health system stakeholders, the role drives access and policy priorities, anticipates and responds to healthcare system changes, and ensures coordinated external positioning across functions. This position operates as an enterprise leader and trusted advisor to the Cluster Leadership Team, ensuring the company is recognized as an ethical, patient‑centric, and credible partner in advancing healthcare outcomes across the cluster.

The SAPC Director reports directly to the Cluster Managing Director and is an integral part of the leadership team while fostering strong collaboration with our global and regional leadership. 

Job Description

Lead the Strategic Access, Policy & Communications Team in Thailand, with end‑to‑end accountability for strategy and execution, overseeing a team of approximate 4 professionals

Set and own External Affairs, Policy, and Access vision & strategy for Thailand, aligned with global and regional priorities

Drive integrated pricing, reimbursement, access, and policy strategies across the portfolio, ensuring Job Description

Lead the Strategic Access, Policy & Communications Team in Thailand, with end‑to‑end accountability for strategy and execution, overseeing a team of approximate 4 professionals

Set and own External Affairs, Policy, and Access vision & strategy for Thailand, aligned with global and regional priorities

Drive integrated pricing, reimbursement, access, and policy strategies across the portfolio, ensuring alignment with clinical value, evidence generation, and commercial priorities

Provide strategic oversight of HTA submissions, pricing negotiations, and policy responses, ensuring compliance with local regulations and global standards.

Shape the external healthcare and policy environment by leading high‑level government engagement, advocacy, and system‑level dialogue

Serve as external representative with governments, payers, regulators, and key healthcare stakeholders

Anticipate and interpret policy, reimbursement, and health system evolution, translating insights into enterprise‑level access, risk, and mitigation strategies

Act as a strategic advisor to the Cluster Leadership Team, informing business strategy through policy, access, and external‑environment insights

Serve as a member of the Cluster Leadership Team, contributing to enterprise strategy and decision‑making to optimize short- and long-term value creation for the cluster

Lead cross‑market, cross‑functional alignment across Medical, Commercial, Regulatory, Market Access, and Global teams to enable sustainable patient access

Define and execute external affairs, corporate positioning, and reputation strategies, strengthening standing as a trusted, patient‑centric partner.

Lead enterprise-level internal communications for Philippines-Thailand Clsuter and external communications for Thailand

Build, lead, and develop a high‑impact SAPC organization, strengthening policy, access, and advocacy capabilities

Co-Represent the cluster with Philippines SAPC Director at regional and global governance forums, ensuring strong alignment with enterprise agenda.

Ensure all activities are conducted with the highest standards of ethics, compliance, and integrity, safeguarding license to operate

Skills, Knowledge, Experience, Qualifications Required for the Role  

Your qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (Public Policy, Public Health, Economics, Law, or Business) strongly preferred
• Extensive leadership experience in Market Access, Government Affairs, or Public Policy within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry
• Proven experience operating at system and enterprise level and/or via industry association or similar collaborative/political organizations, shaping policy, access, and external environments across complex markets
• Strong track record of senior government, payer, and health‑system engagement, including policy advocacy and reimbursement influence
• Deep understanding of healthcare policy, reimbursement, and payer dynamics within Thailand context
• Demonstrated ability to translate external insights into enterprise‑level business strategies
• Proven capability to lead large, matrixed, cross‑functional organizations across functions
• Experience serving as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, influencing enterprise decisions beyond functional scope
• Strong communication, external credibility and influencing skills with senior internal and external stakeholders
• Experience leading reputation management, corporate positioning, and public affairs strategies
• Demonstrated success in building and developing high‑performing Market Access and Public Policy teams
• Unwavering commitment to ethics, compliance, governance, and patient‑centric leadership
• Fluency in Thai and English required

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Business Communications, Communication, Communication Coordination, Communications Programs, Data Analysis, Financial Research, Health Outcomes, Internal Communications, Legislative Issues, Market Access, Media Relations, Oncology Marketing, People Management, Policy Development, Policy Implementation, Policy Interpretation, Political Forums, Presentation Delivery, Public Health Policy Development, Public Relations (PR), Relationship Building, Social Media, Strategic Communication Management {+ 4 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

11/18/2026

*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.