Our US Ophthalmology team is dedicated to improving the lives of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) through a pipeline of two investigational therapies. We pursue this mission through patient focus, innovation, expanded access to transformative treatments, and collaboration with healthcare systems, governments, and payers. Grounded in scientific rigor and flawless execution, we aim to bring breakthrough therapies to the patients who need them most.
The Executive Director, US Marketing Leader will lead U.S. marketing strategy and execution for the first launch, a late-stage pipeline asset for DME and nAMD, while also shaping early U.S. commercial strategy for pipeline assets in the ophthalmology portfolio. This leader will build and lead the healthcare professional (HCP) and healthcare consumer (HCC) marketing teams and partner closely with Payer and Scientific Strategy teams. Working across the enterprise, the role will help deliver a successful launch and sustained growth for the first launch, while collaborating with Global Marketing to inform early commercial decisions for pipeline assets in the ophthalmology portfolio.
This role reports to the Associate Vice President, U.S. Ophthalmology Franchise Leader.
Primary Responsibilities:
Strategic Planning: Develop and execute the marketing strategy for the first launch to drive growth and maximize market potential. Partner with Global Marketing to shape early marketing decisions for pipeline assets for the ophthalmology portfolio and overall portfolio strategy.
Product Commercialization: Lead integrated brand planning and execution for the first launch, overseeing HCP and HCC commercial activities while partnering with Scientific Strategy, Payer Marketing, Global Ophthalmology, Digital, data and analytics team, and other key stakeholders to ensure a cohesive commercialization plan and execute with precision.
Enterprise Collaboration: Work across the enterprise with Medical Affairs, Value and Implementation, Global Marketing to align on critical strategic decisions, including product profile, labeling, scenario planning, enterprise narrative, and lifecycle planning for the portfolio.
Launch Excellence: Lead U.S. launch readiness for the first launch across key workstreams, including supply, customer engagement, data and analytics, field deployment and readiness, patient support, communications, and marketing campaigns.
Omnichannel Engagement: Define and execute an omnichannel strategy across customer audiences, using digital innovation, analytics, and real-world insights to drive adoption and persistence.
Financial Management: Own financial forecasts and the overall promotional budget for our Company's Ophthalmology, using market insights, industry trends, and analytics to inform key assumptions.
Team Leadership: Build and lead a high-performing HCP and HCC marketing organization, providing clear direction, coaching, and development opportunities. Lead a team of approximately eight employees.
Compliance and Regulatory: Ensure all activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Education
Required: Bachelor’s degree. Preferred: MBA or equivalent business qualification.
Required Experience:
Industry Expertise: At least 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare industries.
Preferred Experience:
Commercial Leadership: Proven success in marketing, market access, sales, and launch execution.
Team Leadership: Strong ability to attract, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of market dynamics, patient journeys, and the payer landscape, preferably in retina and ophthalmology.
Strategic and Innovative Thinking: Ability to turn complex data into actionable strategies and use innovation to drive impact.
Collaboration: Exceptional ability to work across commercial and cross-divisional teams.
Compliance: Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Product Launch: Launch experience strongly preferred.
Required Skills:
Advertising Campaign Development, Advertising Campaign Development, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceutics, Brand Management, Customer-Focused, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Executive Presence, Financial Management, Innovation, Macular Degeneration, Market Analysis, Marketing Strategies, Market Research, Medical Affairs, Omnichannel Marketing, Ophthalmology, People Leadership, Pricing Strategies, Professional Networking, Sales Collaboration, Strategic Management, Strategic Planning {+ 2 more}
Preferred Skills:
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The salary range for this role is
$255,800.00 - $402,700.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status:
Regular
Relocation:
Domestic
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
25%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
Yes
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
06/25/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
At MSD, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA in the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.msd.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
