U.S. Director of Medical Affairs (US DMA) - Ophthalmology

Merck•REMOTE, REMOTE

15d•$190,800 - $300,300•Remote

About The Position

The U.S. Director of Medical Affairs (US DMA) – Ophthalmology is a regionally based leadership role within U.S. Medical Affairs in the Value & Implementation organization. The role drives scientific excellence across in-line business and the company pipeline, and optimizes field readiness across five strategic pillars: Scientific Exchange, Company Trials, Investigator-Sponsored Programs, Congresses, and Scientific Insights. The US DMA is an experienced therapeutic-area leader and subject-matter expert who drives execution of scientific and medical affairs plans for assigned therapeutic areas in their region. The role works with regional cross-functional teams and contributes U.S. perspectives to relevant meetings, including the U.S. Medical Affairs Team, Payor Access Team, Management Team, and Value & Implementation planning. As a core member or co-lead of the U.S. Medical Affairs Team, the position collaborates with the Global Therapeutic Area team and cross-functional partners to implement Value & Implementation plans in the U.S. This includes integrating local insights into global scientific value content and Center of Scientific Exchange Excellence plans, supporting local adoption, leading aligned training, and evaluating training effectiveness in the field. The role develops regional strategies aligned with headquarters goals; contributes to the U.S. Country Medical Affairs Plan, Field Medical Plan/Field Engagement Plan, and field training plan; and identifies regional resource, training, and activity needs. It develops scientific engagement plans aligned with global scientific communications, ensures insights are acted on by relevant stakeholders, organizes expert-input events, and supports appropriate and safe use of company medicines. The position also partners across medical affairs, clinical trial, and capability teams to deliver regional training, exchange best practices, contribute to congress planning, and monitor healthcare developments and emerging trends. Additional duties may include supporting U.S. scientific onboarding and verbalization processes for new hires and Regional Medical Scientific Directors, and supporting the Investigator Studies Program for the assigned therapeutic area. The role is remote, with the primary location listed as USA – Remote. Travel is listed as 25% in the posting’s travel requirements; the qualifications section states the ability to travel up to 40%.

Requirements

Advanced degree (e.g., MD, PhD, or PharmD) relevant to the therapeutic-area disease area, with recognized medical expertise in ophthalmology.
At least five years of medical affairs experience or equivalent clinical/research experience.
At least three years working in the therapeutic area in a clinical, research, or pharmaceutical environment, or in a highly relevant therapeutic area with demonstrated scientific acumen.
Proven ability in strategic decision-making and planning, including helping the U.S. Executive Director prioritize initiatives across the portfolio.
Demonstrated execution excellence, including a track record of leading complex projects and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
AI-first mindset, including leveraging AI tools and willingness to learn and implement new approaches; deep technical expertise is not required.
Strong emotional intelligence to foster trust and respect in a complex, matrixed organization.
Exceptional networking and partnership skills for effective collaboration across teams and stakeholders.
Agile mindset and commitment to experimenting, learning, adapting to evolving business needs, and driving continuous improvement.
Expertise in interpreting and clearly communicating complex scientific concepts in one-on-one and group settings.
Deep knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system, including national treatment guidelines, clinical research processes, FDA regulations, and OIG compliance.
Ability to travel up to 40%; the posting separately lists travel requirements as 25%.

Nice To Haves

Field Medical Affairs experience.
University-level teaching experience and understanding of adult-learning principles.
Experience with innovative pharmaceutical training platforms.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Ability to quickly assimilate new subject areas and work independently on complex problems.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the USMA Executive Director and Payer & Health Systems Payor & Access Strategy Lead, develop and implement regional strategies aligned with headquarters Value & Implementation goals, including prioritized U.S. Medical Affairs field strategy and implementation goals.
Contribute to the integrated U.S. Country Medical Affairs Plan, including the U.S. Field Medical Plan/Field Engagement Plan and field training plan for the assigned therapeutic area.
Identify and prioritize U.S. field resources, training needs, and activities; coordinate with V&I Global Medical & Value Capabilities to align content, training, and other adult-learning activities across the portfolio, including pre- and post-congress regional training and content.
Develop a strategic scientific engagement plan and ensure scientific exchange aligns with the global scientific communications platform.
Ensure insights from advisory boards and field medical activities are acted on with relevant stakeholders, aligned with Country Medical Affairs priorities, and monitored for trends that may affect future strategy.
Organize expert-input events, such as advisory boards and forums, with contracted scientific leaders and key stakeholders to address new-indication implementation or emerging science.
Manage programs such as patient support, education, and risk management, as needed, to support appropriate and safe utilization of company medicines.
Partner with GSVC, CSEE, U.S. Global Clinical Trial Organization, V&I Global Medical and Scientific Affairs therapeutic-area leads, and internal and external subject-matter experts to plan and deliver regional training as needed.
Participate in two-way information exchange and share best practices across U.S. Medical Affairs roles and teams, including Payer & Health Systems.
Collaborate with the U.S. Medical Affairs Director of Implementation and Strategic Execution to ensure consistent standards, processes, and harmonization for training activities such as clinical immersions, verbalizations, and journal clubs.
Provide input into strategic congress priorities and participate in planning for key scientific congresses.
Monitor the healthcare environment and emerging trends to optimize Country Medical Affairs Plans and field execution plans.
As applicable, support development and maintenance of U.S. new-hire scientific foundational onboarding with leadership and subject-matter experts.
As applicable, work with U.S. Medical Affairs leadership and V&I Global Medical & Value Capabilities stakeholders to ensure consistent verbalization processes for new hires and tenured Regional Medical Scientific Directors regarding new data, indications, and disease areas.
As applicable, support the Investigator Studies Program for the assigned therapeutic area, including Areas of Interest consultation, dissemination, data highlights, training, and scientific review as requested by the V&I Global Medical and Scientific Affairs Executive Director.