Head of Global Medical Strategy - Sarcoma

Merck•Billerica, MA

15h

About The Position

Sarcoma represents one of the most complex and underserved challenges in oncology — and this role places you at the center of changing that. As Head of Global Medical Strategy for Sarcoma, you will define and drive the end-to-end medical strategic vision for a portfolio of assets in a newly established disease area, reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, Head of Global Medical Unit Oncology. This is a cornerstone leadership position that combines scientific depth, strategic influence, and people leadership at a global scale. You will own the development and execution of integrated medical affairs strategies, spanning evidence generation, lifecycle management, and external engagement, while ensuring alignment across clinical development, commercial, regulatory, and market access functions. You will lead and mentor a dedicated team, set the strategic direction for pre- and post-launch medical activities, and serve as the scientific voice of the organization in engagements with professional societies, advocacy groups, and key medical stakeholders worldwide. In this pivotal role, you will represent the Medical Unit Oncology in cross-functional asset forums and global governance meetings, curate and communicate medical insights to inform clinical development programs, and serve as the escalation point for medical review of externally facing materials. Your ability to translate scientific evidence into actionable strategy will directly shape how transformative therapies reach patients with rare and underserved cancers.

Requirements

Medical Doctor (MD) preferred, PhD or PharmD candidates with significant industry, research and/or clinical experience in rare disease.
Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
At least 3 years in a leadership role within medical affairs strategy or a closely related function.
Proven track record of success driving Medical Affairs strategy in pre- and post-launch settings.
Demonstrated experience in lifecycle management and evidence generation strategy within a pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical environment.
Experience in the US healthcare system and regulatory landscape, with the ability to apply this understanding to global medical strategy.

Nice To Haves

Experience in both US and global Medical Affairs roles, with a track record of building and developing high-performing teams.
Prior experience launching rare disease assets in a global context, including cross-functional collaboration with clinical development, commercial, and regulatory teams.
Strong strategic mindset with the ability to translate complex scientific insights into clear, actionable plans for diverse internal and external audiences.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to engage effectively with key opinion leaders, professional societies, and advocacy groups.
Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to challenges.
Demonstrated commitment to patient-centricity and cross-functional collaboration, with a track record of influencing without authority across global teams.

Responsibilities

Define and drive the end-to-end medical strategic vision for a portfolio of assets in a newly established disease area.
Own the development and execution of integrated medical affairs strategies, spanning evidence generation, lifecycle management, and external engagement.
Ensure alignment across clinical development, commercial, regulatory, and market access functions.
Lead and mentor a dedicated team.
Set the strategic direction for pre- and post-launch medical activities.
Serve as the scientific voice of the organization in engagements with professional societies, advocacy groups, and key medical stakeholders worldwide.
Represent the Medical Unit Oncology in cross-functional asset forums and global governance meetings.
Curate and communicate medical insights to inform clinical development programs.
Serve as the escalation point for medical review of externally facing materials.