Associate Director, Medical Affairs - GI

Merck • North Wales, PA

3d • $173,200 - $272,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Global Professional Society Affairs (GPSA) is a role within Global Medical Proficiency and External Affairs (GMPEA), Global Medical and Value Capabilities. This position supports the development and execution of coordinated engagement strategies with prioritized professional medical societies and organizations aligned with medical, scientific, and therapeutic area (TA) objectives. This role is responsible for operational delivery, relationship management, and cross-functional coordination within an assigned TA, project, or region, while ensuring compliant, high-quality execution that advances the company’s scientific and medical objectives.
The Associate Director contributes to building productive relationships with professional societies and organizations, supports innovative engagement models, and helps ensure effective utilization of corporate membership benefits. The role operates with guidance from GPSA leadership and models a collaborative, compliant, and patient-focused approach.

Requirements

• Advance degree (e.g., MS, PharmD, PhD) in life sciences or a related field and a minimum of 2-3 years of experience in medical education, professional relations, medical affairs, or the pharmaceutical industry -OR- BA/BS degree in life sciences or a related field and a minimum of 5 years of experience in medical education, professional relations, medical affairs, or the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience supporting cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work within defined timelines
• Working knowledge of industry regulations, compliance standards, and company policies
• Commitment to ethical conduct, integrity, and patient-focused decision-making
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Medical Affairs
• Medical Knowledge
• Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs
• Project Management
• Scientific Communications

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (e.g., MS, PharmD, PhD) preferred
• Experience working with U.S. and/or international professional medical societies within GI
• Exposure to congress, symposia, or scientific exchange operations
• Formal project management training or certification
• Current Employees apply HERE
• Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
• US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
• 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

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of engagement plans with prioritized U.S. and global professional medical societies in partnership with Global Medical & Scientific Affairs (GMSA), U.S. Medical Affairs (USMA), Policy, and Patient Innovation & Engagement (PI&E)
• Execute defined engagement strategies and tactical plans aligned with TA priorities and evolving healthcare needs
• Monitor internal milestones and external trends to inform day-to-day execution and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
• Contribute operational insights to strategic planning discussions and lessons learned reviews
• Manage day-to-day relationships with assigned professional medical societies under the guidance of GPSA leadership
• Support participation in external meetings including congresses, industry forums, and society meetings, including coordination of logistics and engagement activities
• Serve as a point of contact for assigned society interactions, ensuring alignment, mutual value, and appropriate follow-through
• Assist with preparation of materials for external engagements, including follow-up on previous meetings and action items, creation of backgrounders, and alignment on cross-functional agenda items and attendees
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (e.g., GMSA TA teams, USMA, GMPEA, PI&E, Policy, Outcomes Research, Commercial, Compliance & Legal) to support aligned and compliant engagement activities
• Facilitate internal information flow and knowledge sharing related to professional society interactions and insights
• Support cross-functional teams by connecting colleagues to relevant professional society opportunities and resources
• Support tracking, documentation, and reporting of engagement activities and impact metrics
• Ensure all activities are executed in accordance with company policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards
• Assist with management of corporate memberships and utilization of associated benefits
• Contribute to operational excellence initiatives, including process improvements, templates, and best practices
• Provide operational support to cross-functional clinical practice guidelines and recommendation working groups related to professional medical society engagement
• Contribute to proposal review, triage, and operational evaluation processes, as applicable
• Participate in internal training and capability-building initiatives related to professional society engagement

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level