US Director, Precision Medicine & Pan-Tumor, Payor & Access Strategy Lead, Medical Affairs, Health Systems Oncology

Merck • REMOTE, REMOTE

1d • $210,400 - $331,100 • Remote

About The Position

The U.S. Director, Payor & Access Strategy Lead, Medical Affairs (PASL), position resides in the Value & Implementation (V&I) organization, which includes Global Medical and Scientific Affairs as well as Outcomes Research. The US PASL is responsible for U.S. Field Medical (FM) strategy, training and prioritization of the V&I plan for U.S. Medical Affairs (USMA) Health Systems Oncology (HSO). The PASL for health systems oncology is an impactful member of USMA cross-functional teams, U.S. Medical Affairs Teams (USMATs), and Value Teams (VTs). This US PASL role will be responsible for oncology biomarkers & precision medicine, pan tumor topics, and the HSO pipeline. As organizational needs evolve, the US PASL may assume selected asset-related responsibilities. The US PASL drives U.S. HSO strategic excellence and optimizes HSO and USMA readiness in support of payor access and pharmacoeconomic and scientific exchange aligned to global V&I plan priorities. This is a regionally based position (U.S.) in our company’s Research and Development (R&D) division.

Requirements

• Advanced health-care/science degree (MD, PhD, or PharmD) and recognized medical expertise in oncology precision medicine/biomarkers.
• Five or more years of prior pharmaceutical industry experience (preferably Field Medical experience or equivalent biotech/pharmaceutical/Medical Affairs strategy experience) within oncology and precision medicine; OR five or more years of experience working in quality/managed-care/cancer-center settings, with demonstrated oncology and precision medicine scientific acumen; OR Board-Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP)/Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) with five or more years of clinical experience working within a cancer center; OR equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement a strategic plan.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, networking, and results-oriented project-management skills.
• Strong understanding of the oncology diagnostics, biomarker, and reimbursement landscape.
• Thorough knowledge of clinical medicine, U.S. health-care delivery-system structure and function, pharmacoeconomics, population health management, quality management, value-based payment, and health-care delivery policy and trends.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work in a complex, matrixed environment (promoting inclusion, maintaining trust, and respecting others).
• Ability to network and partner with important internal and external stakeholders, including cross-functional teams, scientific leaders, and key decision-makers.
• Knowledge of national and society treatment guidelines related to oncology and precision medicine, clinical research processes, U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, and Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and other ethical guidelines, laws and regulations relevant to the pharmaceutical industry and its external stakeholder environment.
• Embrace an AI-first mindset by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools and demonstrating a willingness to learn and implement new approaches, without requiring deep technical expertise.

Nice To Haves

• Experience engaging US access stakeholders relevant to diagnostics and biomarker-driven care.
• Strategy experience for a specialty product approval where precision medicine played a role
• Prior experience leading complex projects with demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and priorities simultaneously and function in a fast-paced environment.
• Formal training in pharmacoeconomics/outcomes research.

Responsibilities

• Is responsible for the direction, coordination, implementation, control, and execution of USMA and HSO payor and access strategy while remaining aligned to global medical and commercial strategy, commitments and goals.
• Leads the U.S. HSO integrated Field Medical (FM) plan process in collaboration with U.S. HSO Executive Director (US HSO ED), U.S. HSO Sr Director PASL, U.S. HSO Team Leads, and other members of the global and regional cross-functional teams.
• Develops and directs payor and access strategy in alignment with organizational priorities and unmet needs. This includes precision medicine-related biomarkers, companion diagnostics, and LDT-based diagnostic approaches.
• Collects, analyzes and communicates scientific insights from U.S. HSO Medical Affairs Director (MAD) field engagements to inform company strategies across R&D, which includes the V&I and Commercial organizations.
• Leads U.S. Payor Access Team (US PAT) to support prioritizing U.S. gaps/needs assessment as well as value-evidence strategy and tactical plan for global V&I annual planning input (e.g., one-pagers, V&I plans, and Country Medical Affairs Plan).
• Serves as U.S. Health Systems Oncology interface between V&I, Commercial, and other relevant headquarters (HQ) functions and the U.S. HSO Team.
• Identifies and prioritizes U.S. HSO field resources, training needs, and activities across the oncology portfolio to optimize HSO MAD Field Team readiness.
• Collaborates with key stakeholders to define/implement strategic congress priorities for U.S. HSO and coordinates planning of HSO MAD activities at key scientific congresses.
• Continuously scans the health-care environment and quality landscape to analyze emerging trends in the oncology, precision medicine, and competitive landscape, in addition to market access to optimize U.S. HSO Field Team capabilities.
• Represents USMA HSO, in partnership with global V&I, in Expert Input Forums or Advisory Boards, as needed.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director