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

MSD•Rahway, NJ

23d•$190,800 - $300,300•Remote

About The Position

The U.S. Director of Medical Affairs (US DMA) is a regionally based leader within U.S. Medical Affairs in the Value & Implementation organization. The role drives scientific excellence across in-line business and the company pipeline, while optimizing field readiness across the USMA 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 executes scientific and medical affairs plans for assigned therapeutic areas, engages regional cross-functional teams, and provides U.S. input to relevant teams and plans. As a core member or co-lead of the U.S. Medical Affairs Team, the US DMA collaborates with global therapeutic-area teams and cross-functional partners to implement Value & Implementation plans regionally. This includes incorporating local insights into global scientific content and exchange plans, facilitating adoption of initiatives, developing and delivering aligned local training, and evaluating training effectiveness and field application. The role develops regional strategies aligned with headquarters goals, contributes to U.S. Country Medical Affairs and field plans, identifies field resources and training needs, and leads strategic scientific engagement. It also supports expert input events, patient support and education programs as needed, regional training, congress planning, investigator study program activities, and ongoing monitoring of the healthcare environment and emerging trends. The position is remote and may require travel; the posting states travel requirements of 25%, while the qualifications describe ability to travel up to 40%.

Requirements

Advanced degree, such as 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 or research experience.
At least three years of work 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 and a track record of leading complex projects and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
AI-first mindset, including use of 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, change-catalyst mindset, with 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 a travel requirement of 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

Develop and implement regional strategies with the USMA Executive Director and Payer & Health Systems Payor & Access Strategy Lead, aligned with headquarters Value & Implementation goals, including prioritizing 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 strategically aligned content, training, and adult learning activities across the portfolio.
Coordinate pre- and post-congress regional training and content.
Develop a 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 upon by relevant stakeholders, aligned with Country Medical Affairs priorities, and monitored for trends.
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 patient support, education, and risk-management programs as needed to support appropriate and safe use of company medicines.
Partner with global scientific content and exchange teams, the U.S. Global Clinical Trial Organization, therapeutic-area leads, and internal and external subject-matter experts to deliver regional training.
Participate in 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.
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.
Serve, as applicable, as a point of contact for U.S. new-hire scientific foundational onboarding in collaboration with leadership and subject-matter experts.
Work with USMA leadership and Value & Implementation Global Medical & Value Capabilities stakeholders to ensure consistent verbalization processes for new hires and tenured Regional Medical Scientific Directors on new data, indications, and disease areas.
Support the Investigator Studies Program for the assigned therapeutic area, including Areas of Interest consultation, dissemination, data highlights, training, and scientific review as requested.