Director, US Public Policy

Merck•Washington, DC

23h•$190,800 - $300,300•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, U.S. Public Policy will lead policy development and execution for vaccines and the company’s investigational long-acting influenza antiviral, while providing legal and policy analysis across the broader public policy portfolio, including access, oversight, intellectual property, and research and development. The role sits within the U.S. Federal Policy and Government Relations team in the Global Policy and Public Affairs organization. The successful candidate will combine broad public policy knowledge, public health experience, and strong legal analysis and drafting skills to develop practical recommendations and build alignment across a highly matrixed organization. The position works with colleagues in medical, commercial, legal, and other subject-matter areas, and engages external policymakers, public health leaders, patient and provider organizations, trade associations, coalitions, and other stakeholders. The role is based primarily in Washington, DC, with a hybrid work arrangement and 10% travel. The employee is eligible for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. The stated base salary range for the primary location is $190,800 to $300,300.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree.
At least seven years of relevant experience in public policy, government, public affairs, a trade association, a patient or provider organization, consulting, or the biopharmaceutical sector.
Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. public policy and federal and/or state legislative, regulatory, and administrative policymaking processes.
Experience addressing public health matters and ability to lead policy work on vaccines and a long-acting antiviral influenza product while contributing to broader issues, including pricing, reimbursement, and patient access.
Sound judgment and strong legal research, analysis, and drafting skills, including the ability to work through unfamiliar issues, develop practical recommendations, and collaborate with legal counsel and subject-matter experts.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders and high-level external stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience working across culturally diverse and matrixed teams with a high degree of collaboration.
Skills listed: Healthcare Policies, Patient Advocacy, Policy Analysis, Policy Development, Political Forums, Public Health, Public Policies, Regulatory Development, Strategic Planning, and Strategic Thinking.

Responsibilities

Lead policy development and execution for vaccines and the company’s investigational long-acting influenza antiviral, monitoring and assessing related federal, regulatory, and administrative developments in public health, prevention, access, coverage, reimbursement, and health-system infrastructure.
Support legal analysis of issues across the public policy portfolio in coordination with issue leads and legal counsel, including pricing, reimbursement, access, intellectual property, and oversight.
Develop evidence-based company policy positions, comment letters, and other policy submissions by integrating public health evidence, legal analysis, and business considerations with cross-functional colleagues.
Translate complex policy developments into clear insights, implications, options, and recommendations for senior policy and business leaders.
Identify emerging risks and opportunities and develop proactive strategies to advance or protect priority policy outcomes.
Build and maintain relationships with government officials, public health organizations, patient and provider groups, policy organizations, and other partners, and represent the company in trade association and coalition meetings.
Lead cross-functional policy workstreams from strategy through execution, including workplans, decision points, stakeholder roles, budgets, and measures of progress or impact.
Manage policy research, consultants, and other resources that strengthen policy development, thought leadership, and advocacy strategies.