Global Head of Scientific Communication

Merck•Billerica, MA

About The Position

At the intersection of science, strategy, and patient impact, this role offers a rare opportunity to shape how medical evidence reaches the people who need it most. As Global Head of Scientific Communications, you will lead a global organization of approximately 90 professionals across Scientific Communication Asset Leads, Scientific Content Creation, and Medical Information, setting the strategic direction for how scientific evidence is communicated accurately, objectively, and compliantly to healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, field medical teams, and other Medical Affairs stakeholders. In this pivotal role, you will define and implement the global Medical Affairs scientific communication strategy across therapeutic areas and the full product lifecycle. You will oversee the planning, development, review, approval, localization, and lifecycle management of scientific communication assets, including modular and omnichannel-ready content, while driving a streamlined medical-legal-regulatory review process. You will provide strategic oversight of global publication plans, ensuring adherence to GPP 2022 and ICMJE recommendations, and lead the global Medical Information strategy to deliver timely, accurate, balanced, and non-promotional responses to inquiries. As a member of the Global Medical Affairs leadership team, you will partner with Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Compliance, and Communications functions while retaining Medical Affairs ownership of scientific communication and medical information standards. You will champion the responsible adoption of generative AI and advanced analytics across content development and medical information, ensuring human scientific oversight, quality control, and compliance guardrails are maintained throughout. You will protect scientific and medical integrity, manage budgets, resources, vendors, and technology investments, and deliver measurable outcomes including content utilization, medical information response service levels, and team engagement.

Requirements

Advanced scientific degree (PharmD, MD, or PhD); a Master's degree in a life science with equivalent experience will be considered.
12+ years of experience in Medical Affairs, scientific communications, publications, medical information, or medical writing within the biopharmaceutical industry or a similarly regulated environment.
8+ years of experience leading global, matrixed, multi-site organizations, including budget and vendor responsibility.
Experienced in scientific evidence and data interpretation, medical review, scientific writing, and compliant communication.
Working knowledge of GPP 2022, ICMJE recommendations, and applicable industry codes (IFPMA, EFPIA, PhRMA, and local codes).
Working knowledge of AI and analytics applications in Medical Affairs, including compliance and quality implications.
Experience with strategic planning, operating model design, governance, budgets, vendors, digital platforms, and performance measurement.
Demonstrated ability to engage with artificial intelligence technologies, including their practical applications, limitations, ethical considerations, and governance implications, to make informed and responsible decisions in a regulated Medical Affairs environment.

Nice To Haves

CMPP certification (ISMPP).
Experience with content and medical-legal-regulatory platforms and omnichannel engagement strategies.
Experience in Oncology, Immunology, Neurology, or Fertility.
Medical education or accredited continuing medical education experience.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across seniority levels, functions, and cultures.
Demonstrated ability to lead change management and business-process transformation, including digital and AI-enabled ways of working.
Patient-centric mindset, including a commitment to health literacy and plain-language communication.

Responsibilities

Lead a global organization of approximately 90 professionals across Scientific Communication Asset Leads, Scientific Content Creation, and Medical Information.
Set the strategic direction for how scientific evidence is communicated accurately, objectively, and compliantly to healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, field medical teams, and other Medical Affairs stakeholders.
Define and implement the global Medical Affairs scientific communication strategy across therapeutic areas and the full product lifecycle.
Oversee the planning, development, review, approval, localization, and lifecycle management of scientific communication assets, including modular and omnichannel-ready content.
Drive a streamlined medical-legal-regulatory review process.
Provide strategic oversight of global publication plans, ensuring adherence to GPP 2022 and ICMJE recommendations.
Lead the global Medical Information strategy to deliver timely, accurate, balanced, and non-promotional responses to inquiries.
Partner with Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Compliance, and Communications functions while retaining Medical Affairs ownership of scientific communication and medical information standards.
Champion the responsible adoption of generative AI and advanced analytics across content development and medical information, ensuring human scientific oversight, quality control, and compliance guardrails are maintained throughout.
Protect scientific and medical integrity.
Manage budgets, resources, vendors, and technology investments.
Deliver measurable outcomes including content utilization, medical information response service levels, and team engagement.