Global Head of External Medical Engagement

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany•Billerica, MA

6h•$251,000 - $409,300

About The Position

In this pivotal role, you will shape the future of how a global science and technology company engages with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, scientific experts, and the broader medical community. As the enterprise-wide leader of external medical engagement, you will set the strategic direction, governance, and operating model for a global organization of approximately 50 professionals spanning Patient Engagement and Activation, Patient Support Programs, Medical Training and Capabilities, Field Medical Effectiveness and Insights, and Congresses. Your leadership will define how external engagement is designed, delivered, and measured across the full product lifecycle, ensuring every interaction is patient centered, scientifically credible, compliant, and impactful. You will own the multi year roadmap for omnichannel and digital engagement capabilities, champion responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and analytics tools across field medical and congress functions, and establish enterprise standards for engagement quality, insight generation, and return on investment measurement. As a member of the Global Medical Affairs leadership team, you will partner across Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Compliance, Communications, and Market Access, while retaining Medical Affairs ownership of external engagement standards globally.

Requirements

Master's degree in life science, public health, or a related field (considered with equivalent experience)
12+ years of experience in Medical Affairs, patient engagement, medical education, field medical, or external stakeholder engagement within the biopharmaceutical industry or a comparable regulated environment.
7+ years of experience leading global or complex cross-functional teams, including matrix leadership across regions and cultures.
Demonstrated success building and scaling external engagement, field medical excellence, or patient engagement programs across multiple markets and therapeutic areas.
Deep knowledge of compliant and ethical engagement with patients, healthcare professionals, scientific experts, and external organizations, including transparency and disclosure requirements.
Advanced analytical mindset with proficiency in performance analytics, engagement quality measures, and translating data-driven insights into strategic decisions.
Working knowledge of artificial intelligence and analytics applications in Medical Affairs, including associated compliance and quality implications.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MD, PharmD, or PhD) preferred
Prior country or regional Medical Affairs experience, such as field medical leadership, medical director, or medical advisor roles.
Familiarity with digital engagement platforms, social listening tools, medical customer relationship management systems, and business intelligence or dashboarding solutions.
Experience in Oncology, Fertility, Immunology, or Neurology, and with patient organizations in those therapeutic areas.
Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate with clarity and influence senior stakeholders across functions, geographies, and cultures.
Proven change leadership capability, including experience driving operating model evolution, technology rollout, and capability transformation at scale.

Responsibilities

Set the strategic direction, governance, and operating model for a global organization of approximately 50 professionals spanning Patient Engagement and Activation, Patient Support Programs, Medical Training and Capabilities, Field Medical Effectiveness and Insights, and Congresses.
Define how external engagement is designed, delivered, and measured across the full product lifecycle, ensuring every interaction is patient centered, scientifically credible, compliant, and impactful.
Own the multi-year roadmap for omnichannel and digital engagement capabilities.
Champion responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and analytics tools across field medical and congress functions.
Establish enterprise standards for engagement quality, insight generation, and return on investment measurement.
Partner across Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Compliance, Communications, and Market Access.
Retain Medical Affairs ownership of external engagement standards globally.