Executive Director, Vaccines & Infectious Disease Policy

MSD•Washington, DC

11h•$255,800 - $402,700•Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director, Global Public Policy, Vaccines & Infectious Disease will lead the development and execution of global public policy strategies and advocacy initiatives in support of our company's Vaccines and Infectious Disease franchises. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Global Vaccines & Infectious Disease Policy, the Executive Director will be responsible for shaping and driving our company's global vaccines and infectious disease policy strategy, advancing advocacy priorities, and representing the company in external forums. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership across Global Public Policy and Strategic Access, Policy and Communications, coordinating enterprise-wide policy initiatives and guiding global, regional, and country-level cross-functional efforts. Leading the Vaccines and Infectious Disease Policy team, this individual will ensure policy strategies advance business objectives, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and support long-term franchise growth. This position is U.S.-based with the option to be located in Washington, D.C. (preferred), Upper Gwynedd, PA, or Rahway, NJ.

Requirements

Advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field (e.g., MPP, MPH/MSPH, MPA, PhD, JD).
Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in public policy, with significant experience in vaccine and infectious disease policy, health policy, and related trade issues.
Experience with and expert knowledge of government and non-governmental organizations active on vaccine and infectious disease public policy issues.
Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams across broad policy areas and geographies, while effectively managing resources, priorities, and organizational change in a complex global environment.
Strong knowledge of healthcare public policy processes, including the roles and influence of various stakeholders in vaccine and infectious disease policy.
Demonstrated ability to set strategic direction, prioritize enterprise policy objectives, and lead complex initiatives from concept through implementation and impact.
Proven ability to provide strategic thought leadership and counsel to senior executives on complex policy, geopolitical, and public health issues.
Demonstrated ability to navigate complex global policy, regulatory, and legislative environments; anticipate emerging issues; and develop innovative, enterprise-wide solutions.
Excellent English-language written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing briefing materials, and demonstrated comfort and ability in public speaking and in delivering briefings to senior leaders.
Demonstrated ability to build alignment and drive collaboration across broad functions, regions, and stakeholder groups in a highly matrixed global organization.

Nice To Haves

Coalition Management
Coalition Management
Communication Management
Competency Management
Corporate Decision Making
Cross-Functional Project Management
Executive Presence
Global Coordination
Government Relations
Health Equity
Legislative Issues
Media Relations
People Leadership
Policy Analysis
Policy Development
Policy Implementation
Policy Research
Policy Reviews
Presentation Preparations
Public Health Policy Development
Public Policy Analysis
Public Policy Writing
Public Relations (PR) Management
Public Speaking
Regulatory Development

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of the Global Vaccine and Infectious Disease Policy strategy, ensuring alignment with franchise priorities and enterprise objectives across Strategic Access, Policy and Communications, Human Health, and Research and Development (R&D).
Provide strategic leadership and oversight for policy engagement across Strategic Access, Policy and Communications and other internal stakeholders to ensure a coordinated, consistent, and high-impact advocacy approach with key policy stakeholders and organizations.
Lead a cross-franchise, geographically broad team, fostering organizational effectiveness, talent development, and a high-performance culture while driving strategic alignment and enterprise-wide execution.
Engage with regional and country policy teams to provide strategic guidance and support the advancement of regional and local policy objectives in priority vaccine and infectious disease areas.
Manage Vaccine and Infectious Disease policy cross-therapeutic and cross-functional efforts internally and in external forums, including with trade associations, multinational organizations, governments, and civil society organizations, and manage stakeholder communication internally and externally, as appropriate.
Serve as the policy point person and trusted strategic advisor to senior Human Health and R&D Vaccine and Infectious Disease leadership on evolving policy, geopolitical, public health, and access-related developments.
Build and maintain relationships with senior governmental, multilateral, non-governmental, and patient advocacy stakeholders to advance strategic policy objectives and strengthen organizational credibility and impact.