US Executive Director of Medical Affairs, Payer & Health Systems (PHS EDMA) Oncology

MSD•Rahway, PA

10d

About The Position

The US Executive Director of Medical Affairs, Payer & Health Systems Oncology (PHS EDMA, Oncology) is part of the Value & Implementation organization, which includes Global Medical and Scientific Affairs and Outcomes Research. The role is accountable for the Payer & Health Systems Oncology contribution to Country Medical Affairs Plans, U.S. payer input into Global V&I Plans, and execution of scientific, health system, payer, and access-related priorities across the oncology portfolio. It also leads the U.S. Strategic Payer & Health Systems Scientific Engagement Plan and oversees its tactical execution by field PHS Medical Affairs Director teams, including execution of Integrated Field Engagement Plans in alignment with the Scientific Exchange Field Medical Policy. The position divides its focus between leading U.S. strategic payer medical needs and leading and managing PHS MAD field medical strategy and execution. It provides senior leadership for PHS, sets strategic direction, oversees field and payer/access teams, supports employee development, and ensures compliant execution in coordination with internal and external partners. The role also guides strategic planning, insight collection, congress activities, resource allocation, and budget management. Travel of up to 50% is required.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (MD, PharmD, or PhD).
Demonstrated ability to lead and coach scientific or medical colleagues across skill and knowledge levels.
At least 7 years of pharmaceutical industry or payer experience, preferably in oncology.
Five years of frontline field medical leadership in the pharmaceutical or payer industry, leading teams responsible for scientific exchange with U.S. payer/access key decision-makers; oncology experience preferred.
A successful record of designing and creating strategic solutions for medical affairs goals and objectives and being accountable for their implementation.
Proven ability to operate in a complex, heavily matrixed global organization and balance priorities across cross-functional stakeholders through networking, partnerships, and enterprise-wide alignment.
AI-first mindset, including use of artificial intelligence tools and willingness to learn and implement new approaches; deep technical expertise is not required.
Executive communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills; ability to lead proactively and independently with integrity and emotional intelligence.
Ability to deliver high-level communications and presentations to senior leadership and key decision-makers on behalf of U.S. Medical Affairs PHS, shape payer-aligned strategies and field medical tactics, and identify growth opportunities and innovation.
In-depth expertise in local regulatory frameworks, ethical standards, and pharmaceutical compliance requirements.
Strong executive leadership and a record of leading high-performing teams, driving accountability, resolving challenges, and fostering ownership and excellence.
Working knowledge of the U.S. healthcare ecosystem, population-based access decision-making, health economics and outcomes research, and healthcare quality, with ability to apply business acumen and strategic insight to medical affairs.
Exceptional organization and prioritization skills, including the ability to independently lead complex initiatives and motivate teams in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining execution excellence.
Ability to travel up to 50%.
Required skills listed: Clinical Engagement, Clinical Research Methods, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Healthcare Education, Line Management Experience, Managed Markets, Medical Affairs, Medical Knowledge, Medical Marketing Strategy, People Performance Management, and Professional Integrity.

Nice To Haves

Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), Veeva, and other systems used by field medical teams, with the ability to work effectively with platforms for collecting, reviewing, and disseminating scientific insights.
Learning agility and experience managing U.S. oncology field teams, with a focus on execution excellence, continuous improvement, and fostering ownership and accountability.
Preferred skills listed: Execution Excellence and Health Outcomes Research.

Responsibilities

Set strategic direction for Payer & Health Systems (PHS) and oversee execution by PASLs and the field medical MAD team.
Determine U.S. PHS strategy and tactical plans for payer and access deliverables aligned with Value & Implementation and Country Medical Affairs Plan goals; oversee execution by U.S. Payor & Access Teams.
Integrate external key decision-maker and payer insights into strategic planning and scientific platform development, producing actionable tactics for the PHS MAD field team.
Lead PHS MAD field team leaders and PASLs, and support employee development and mentorship through individualized development priorities.
Build strategic partnerships with Regional Medical Scientific Director teams and oversee medical account planning to improve collaboration and alignment across prioritized U.S. Medical Affairs accounts.
Ensure compliant ways of working from strategy through execution for the oncology portfolio, coordinating with internal stakeholders including Outcomes Research, Clinical Development, Global Human Health, U.S. and therapeutic-area Executive Directors of Medical Affairs, and Global Medical & Value Capabilities.
Collaborate with external alliance partners, where needed, to support approved ways of working for the Alliance Portfolio.
Develop and manage the annual PHS Oncology budget, align it with organizational priorities, and ensure compliance with approval processes and alignment between proposed and actual budgets.
Oversee appropriate approval of program-related expenses, including congress participation, routine travel, and other expenses.
Create and implement the PHS Field Execution Plan in alignment with internal stakeholders, and ensure U.S. payer and access input into U.S. Country Medical Affairs Plans and Global V&I Plans.
Engage U.S. Medical Affairs and therapeutic-area leadership to support strategic alignment, resource allocation, and representation with senior leadership.
Lead strategic insight collection, align it with U.S. Medical Affairs strategy, and facilitate evaluation and sharing of actionable insights to refine medical strategies.
Oversee field medical priorities and tactics across the four PHS pillars: Scientific Exchange, Pre-Approval Information Exchange, Insights, and Medical Account Planning & Healthcare Ecosystem Monitoring.
Coordinate scientific congress strategy, planning, and execution in compliance with company policies, applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
Promote cross-functional collaboration and best-practice sharing among U.S. Medical Affairs therapeutic-area field teams and Payer & Health Systems General Medicine, Vaccine, and Infectious Disease teams.
Travel up to 50%.