US Executive Director of Medical Affairs, Payer & Health Systems (PHS EDMA) Oncology

Merck•North Wales, PA

7d•$255,800 - $402,700•Remote

About The Position

The US Executive Director of Medical Affairs, Payer & Health Systems Oncology (PHS EDMA, Oncology) is a senior leadership role within the Value & Implementation organization, which includes Global Medical and Scientific Affairs and Outcomes Research. The position is accountable for the payer and health systems contribution to Country Medical Affairs Plans, U.S. payer input into Global V&I Plans, and execution of scientific, health system, payer, and access-related priorities across the oncology portfolio. The role leads U.S. strategic payer medical needs and the PHS Medical Affairs Director field strategy and execution. It owns the U.S. Strategic Payer & Health Systems Scientific Engagement Plan and oversees field execution of Integrated Field Engagement Plans, consistent with the Scientific Exchange Field Medical Policy. The executive leads PHS field teams and PASLs, develops strategic partnerships and cross-functional alignment, manages the annual oncology PHS budget, and ensures compliant planning and execution. The position is based in a remote work arrangement, with the primary location listed as North Wales, Pennsylvania, and travel of up to 50% required.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (MD, PharmD, or PhD).
Ability to effectively lead and coach scientific or medical colleagues across skill and knowledge levels.
At least 7 years of pharmaceutical industry or payer experience; oncology experience is preferred.
Five years of front-line field medical leadership in the pharmaceutical or payer industry, leading teams responsible for scientific exchange with U.S. payer/access key decision-makers; oncology experience is preferred.
Demonstrated success designing and creating strategic solutions for critical medical affairs goals and objectives, and accountability for their implementation.
Experience succeeding in a complex, heavily matrixed global organization and balancing priorities across cross-functional stakeholders through networking, partnerships, and enterprise-wide alignment.
An AI-first mindset, including leveraging AI tools and willingness to learn and implement new approaches; deep technical expertise is not required.
Confidence and independence in leadership, with strong executive communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills; integrity and emotional intelligence to foster collaboration and influence internal and external audiences.
Ability to deliver high-level communications and presentations to senior leadership and key decision-makers on behalf of U.S. PHS, shape payer-aligned strategies and field medical tactics, and identify growth opportunities and drive innovation.
In-depth expertise in local regulatory frameworks, ethical standards, and pharmaceutical compliance requirements.
Executive leadership experience and a track record of leading high-performing teams, driving accountability, resolving challenges, and fostering ownership and excellence.
Comprehensive working knowledge of the U.S. healthcare ecosystem, population-based access decision-making, health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), and healthcare quality, with the ability to apply business acumen and strategic insight to medical affairs.
Exceptional organizational and prioritization skills, and ability to independently lead complex initiatives and motivate teams in a fast-paced, evolving environment while sustaining execution excellence.
Ability to travel up to 50%.
Required skills include Clinical Engagement, Clinical Research Methods, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Healthcare Education, Line Management Experience, Managed Markets, Medical Affairs, Medical Knowledge, Medical Marketing Strategy, People Performance Management, and Professional Integrity.

Nice To Haves

Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), Veeva, and other field medical systems, including the ability to use technical platforms to collect, review, and disseminate scientific insights.
Learning agility and experience managing U.S. oncology field teams, with emphasis on execution excellence, continuous improvement, ownership, and accountability.
Preferred skills include Execution Excellence and Health Outcomes Research.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior leader in the US Medical Affairs organization, set strategic direction for PHS, and oversee execution by PASLs and the field medical MAD team.
Assess and determine U.S. PHS strategy and tactical plans for payer and access deliverables aligned with V&I and Country Medical Affairs Plan goals, and oversee execution by the U.S. Payor & Access Teams.
Integrate external key decision-maker and payer insights into strategic planning and scientific platform development, creating actionable tactics for the PHS MAD field team.
Lead PHS MAD field team leaders and PASLs across strategic and tactical activities, and support employee development and mentorship.
Build and maintain strategic partnerships with Regional Medical Scientific Director teams and oversee medical account planning for prioritized U.S. Medical Affairs accounts.
Ensure compliant strategy and execution for the oncology portfolio in alignment with internal stakeholders, including Outcomes Research, Clinical Development, Global Human Health, U.S. and therapeutic-area EDMAs, and Global Medical & Value Capabilities.
Collaborate with external alliance partners as needed to support approved ways of working for the Alliance Portfolio.
Develop and manage the annual PHS Oncology budget, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and approval processes.
Oversee appropriate approval of program-related expenses, including congress participation, routine travel, and other expenses.
Create and implement the PHS Field Execution Plan in alignment with internal stakeholders, and ensure U.S. payer and access input into U.S. Country Medical Affairs Plans and Global V&I Plans.
Engage with U.S. Medical Affairs and therapeutic-area leadership to drive strategic alignment, resource allocation, and representation with senior leadership.
Lead strategic insight collection, ensure alignment with U.S. Medical Affairs strategy, and facilitate evaluation and sharing of actionable insights to refine medical strategies.
Oversee field medical priorities and tactics across scientific exchange, pre-approval information exchange, insights, and medical account planning and healthcare ecosystem monitoring.
Coordinate strategy, planning, and execution of scientific congress responsibilities in compliance with company policies, applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
Promote cross-functional collaboration and best-practice sharing among U.S. Medical Affairs therapeutic-area field teams and Payer & Health Systems General Medicine, Vaccine, and Infectious Disease teams.