Director, Scientific Patient Engagement Lead, Vaccines & Infectious Diseases

MSD • Rahway, PA

18d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director Scientific Patient Engagement Lead is responsible for developing and implementing a global headquarters strategic patient engagement plan aligned with therapeutic objectives ensuring that patient perspectives remain central to the work of our company. The Scientific Patient Engagement Lead manages and enables the planning and execution of patient engagement initiatives and manages relationships between patient advocacy organizations (PAOs) and Our Company. This position coordinates with both internal and external stakeholders, gathers insights, and includes patient input into strategies and plans developed by Value & Implementation (V&I), clinical research, commercial, policy, and manufacturing. The Scientific Patient Engagement Lead will drive/execute the patient engagement and advocacy strategy in alignment with company priorities, work cross-functionally with various internal teams, and externally with patients, advocates and PAOs to coordinate and cascade expertise. This Leader is innovative, collaborative, strategic, compassionate, and can lead directly and indirectly through influence.

Requirements

• Minimum Advanced Degree in health sciences -OR- BS Degree and equivalent level of patient engagement work experience [MD, MSN, or PhD strongly desirable]
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in the healthcare industry (clinical/biopharmaceutical/patient advocacy organization, etc)
• Minimum of 3 years' experience managing relationships with external stakeholders.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of vaccines and infectious diseases, including scientific, medical, and public health / policy considerations.
• Deep academic understanding of the science of patient input, and a strong record of achievement obtaining and incorporating patient insights into decision making
• Deep understanding of Patient Engagement, Patient Insights, Patient Advocacy Organizations, as well as knowledge of best practices in those areas
• U.S./Global experience in clinical research, regulatory affairs, scientific and medical affairs, or pharmaceutical policy
• Ability to understand the importance of patient innovation and engagement across our Company
• Record of advocating or advancing patient engagement experience
• Ability to navigate a complex matrixed organization, think creatively, and develop innovative strategies and solutions
• Ability to understand and manage a diverse set of issues and engage with a diverse, complex group of stakeholders
• Ability to manage competing priorities with effective collaboration and program management skills
• High degree of ethics and ability to build effective working relationships, both internally and externally
• Scientific and medical credibility to represent the company to patients, patient advocates, patient organizations and medical and scientific organizations
• Ability to work in a complex organization and to effectively operate in a team-oriented structure
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (written as well as oral), results-oriented project management, facilitation, and consultative skills to influence decision making are required
• Compassionate communicator skilled in empathetic listening and navigating sensitive patient conversations
• Experience managing interactions with senior leaders, ability to work well as a team member
• Ability to travel, 15-20% anticipated

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working with patients and PAOs strongly desired
• Experience in the therapeutic area space strongly desired
• Demonstrated track record of establishing trusted and meaningful relationships with patient organizations and with professional society or public health organizations and their leaders strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Develops the headquarters therapeutically aligned strategic plan, executes strategic initiatives, and assists in planning of key performance indicators (KPIs), goals, and tactics that flow from evolving V&I and Research & Development Division priorities, and internal and external factors
• Executes and implements patient innovation and engagement activities to incorporate the patient voice into internal strategy development and decision-making across our company
• Supports efforts to gather and include patients’ and advocates’ insights and perspectives throughout the product lifecycle
• Develops the headquarters therapeutically aligned strategic patient advocacy and educational plans
• Develops, manages, and supports long-term PAO relationships through engagement and communication
• Serves in a liaison function to PAOs and patient arms of professional societies
• Facilitates engagement through active participation at national and regional congresses and successful implementation of meetings with PAO leadership and executive staff
• Ensures compliance with existing company guidelines as they pertain to patient engagement and patient advocacy
• Navigates across internal and external stakeholders ranging from individual patients to highly networked patients and medical organizations
• Collaborates with key internal stakeholders to proactively develop and execute the global V&I plan
• Participates in external conferences, congresses, and industry consortiums to represent our company’s focus on the patient including speaking, presenting, and authoring publications.
• Ensures alignment with regional and country level related activities (patient, scientific, medical)
• Supports any division with needs relating to patient engagement or patient advocacy, including our company's Research Laboratories, Human Health, our company's Manufacturing Division, IT, and others
• Develops the talent on the team and seeks opportunities to enhance their capabilities
• Tracks associated spend for activities and communicates with TA and Strategy Lead
• Tracks and reports impacts, findings and associated key metrics and measurements related to work

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

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