Head of Corporate Affairs, USA

Merck•Boston, MA

About The Position

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is seeking a strategic, business-minded leader to head Corporate Affairs in the United States. The role helps anticipate and shape the political and regulatory environment across Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics, aligning teams around a coordinated voice and an agenda grounded in business impact. The position advises US business leaders, represents the company with external stakeholders, and directs resources toward policy issues that matter to the businesses, customers, and operating environment. This is a senior US leadership role in Corporate Affairs, reporting to the Head of Corporate Affairs. The role is accountable for the performance and results of the US Corporate Affairs sub-function and leads cross-sector advocacy in partnership with colleagues across Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Success includes strengthening the US value-at-stake strategy, improving coordination across sectors, providing timely and useful political and regulatory insight, earning leadership confidence in recommendations, building effective stakeholder relationships, advancing priority policy outcomes, and developing an engaged and capable team. The preferred location is Washington, D.C.; other US hubs, such as Boston, are also considered. Travel is less than 20%, domestic and international. The role does not offer work authorization sponsorship; external applicants must be eligible to work in the US.

Requirements

A graduate degree or equivalent in political science, law, economics, international relations, public policy, or a related discipline.
At least 12 years of combined experience in US government relations, public affairs, public policy, or strategy consulting.
A strong record of influencing legislation, market rules, or procedures in support of business objectives at the federal and/or state level.
Deep knowledge of the US political, regulatory, and economic environment and issues affecting multinational companies.
Ability to turn complex policy and political developments into clear business implications, priorities, and recommendations.
Strong commercial and financial judgment, including the ability to assess business impact and make a sound case for priorities and resource allocation.
Experience leading and mentoring diverse teams and influencing senior stakeholders across a matrix without relying on direct reporting lines.
Established professional relationships across relevant US policymaking, regulatory, industry, and stakeholder communities.
Fluency in English.
High ethical standards and a strong commitment to integrity, confidentiality, and compliance.

Nice To Haves

Senior leadership experience.
Experience in Healthcare, Life Science, or Electronics.
Additional languages relevant to the role's stakeholder landscape.

Responsibilities

Develop and deliver the US Corporate Affairs strategy, aligned with business priorities and the evolving political and regulatory environment.
Coordinate engagement across Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics so the company presents a joined-up perspective to US stakeholders.
Serve as a senior Corporate Affairs partner to US business leadership, translating priorities into a focused advocacy agenda and actionable recommendations.
Represent the company with federal and state policymakers, regulators, government agencies, industry associations, and other relevant stakeholders.
Lead engagement on priority issues affecting market access, pricing, operations, research, supply chains, trade, investment, and reputation.
Connect policy developments to business impact, identify opportunities and risks, and direct resources to issues with the greatest potential impact.
Turn sector priorities and geopolitical analysis into practical US engagement plans, scenarios, and recommendations for leadership.
Monitor political, regulatory, economic, and geopolitical developments and assess their implications for the company's businesses and reputation.
Build and sustain networks with policymakers, regulators, industry associations, think tanks, research institutions, and coalition partners.
Contribute to annual strategy updates and relevant risk and Group strategy processes.
Lead and develop the US Corporate Affairs team by setting objectives and roles, coaching colleagues, supporting performance and capability development, and managing the team budget.
Work with Corporate Affairs colleagues across regions and sectors, and with experts in market access, R&D, regulatory affairs, supply chain, trade compliance, legal and intellectual property, communications, finance, and security.