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

MSD•Rahway, NJ

21d•$190,800 - $300,300•Remote

About The Position

The U.S. Director of Medical Affairs (US DMA) – Ophthalmology is a regionally based position within U.S. Medical Affairs and the Value & Implementation organization. The role is an experienced therapeutic-area leader and subject-matter expert who drives scientific excellence across in-line business and the company pipeline, while optimizing field readiness across five U.S. Medical Affairs strategic pillars: Scientific Exchange, Company Trials, Investigator-Sponsored Programs, Congresses, and Scientific Insights. The US DMA drives execution of scientific and medical affairs plans for assigned therapeutic areas in their region, engages regional cross-functional teams, and provides U.S. input to cross-functional meetings and plans. As a core member or co-lead of the U.S. Medical Affairs Team, the role works with Global Therapeutic Area teams and cross-functional partners to support U.S. regional implementation of Value & Implementation planning. This includes integrating local insights into global scientific value content and Center of Scientific Exchange Excellence plans, facilitating local adoption of initiatives, developing and delivering aligned training, and evaluating training effectiveness and field application. The role contributes to U.S. medical affairs and field plans, prioritizes field resources and training needs, and develops scientific engagement plans aligned with global scientific communications. It gathers and acts on insights from field activities and advisory boards, supports expert-input events and appropriate-use programs, coordinates regional training, participates in congress planning, and monitors changes in the health-care environment. Additional duties may include supporting new-hire scientific onboarding, consistent scientific verbalization processes, and the Investigator Studies Program for the assigned therapeutic area. The position is remote in the United States. Travel is listed as 25% in the posting’s employment details; the qualifications section states the ability to travel up to 40%. The stated salary range for the primary location is $190,800–$300,300, with eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. The position is regular, with no relocation and no visa sponsorship.

Requirements

Advanced degree (e.g., MD, PhD, or PharmD) relevant to the therapeutic-area disease and 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.
Demonstrated ability in strategic decision-making and planning, including helping the U.S. Executive Director prioritize initiatives across the portfolio.
Track record of execution excellence leading complex projects and managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
AI-first mindset, including leveraging artificial intelligence 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.
Strong networking and partnership skills to collaborate effectively across teams and stakeholders.
Agile mindset as a change catalyst, with a 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. health-care system, including national treatment guidelines, clinical research processes, FDA regulations, and Office of Inspector General compliance.
Ability to travel up to 40%, as stated in the qualifications section.

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 a 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 as a member of the USMA Therapeutic Area Leadership Team.
Identify and prioritize U.S. field resources, training needs, and activities; work with V&I Global Medical & Value Capabilities to align content, training, and adult-learning activities across the portfolio, including pre- and post-congress regional training and content.
Develop a strategic, comprehensive 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.
Work with relevant USMA stakeholders to organize expert-input events, such as advisory boards and forums, with contracted scientific leaders and key stakeholders to address new-indication implementation and emerging science.
Manage programs, as needed, for patient support, education, and risk management to support appropriate and safe use 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 sharing of best practices across USMA roles and teams, including Payer & Health Systems.
Collaborate with the USMA Director of Implementation and Strategic Execution to maintain 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.
Continuously monitor the health-care environment and emerging trends to optimize Country Medical Affairs Plans and field execution plans.
As applicable, serve as a point of contact for developing and maintaining U.S. new-hire scientific foundational onboarding in collaboration with leadership and subject-matter experts.
Work with USMA leadership and V&I Global Medical & Value Capabilities stakeholders to support consistent verbalization processes for new hires and tenured Regional Medical Scientific Directors regarding new data, indications, and disease areas.
As requested by the V&I Global Medical and Scientific Affairs Executive Director, support the Investigator Studies Program for the assigned therapeutic area, including Areas of Interest consultation, dissemination, data highlights, training, and scientific review.