Job Description

This role is part of the External Affairs department.

As Public Policy Manager Cardiovascular Health, you will lead our Company's external policy and public affairs strategy in the cardiovascular field in Belgium and Luxembourg. You will be responsible for contributing to the policy environment, advancing patient-centered solutions, and fostering strategic partnerships that improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and access to innovative healthcare solutions.

Key activities:

• Develop a good understanding of the healthcare, policy and stakeholder ecosystems in Belgium and Luxembourg with a specific focus on cardiovascular health.
• Monitor relevant policy developments and stakeholder priorities in cardiovascular health.
• Support the development and implementation of policy and advocacy initiatives that improve cardiovascular health and patient access.
• Contribute to constructive relationships with policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient organisations, scientific societies and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support participation in BACH (Belgian Alliance for Cardiovascular Health) and other relevant associations, policy forums and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects and share relevant external insights with colleagues.
• Partner with colleagues across Medical Affairs, Market Access, External Affairs, and regional and global teams to ensure alignment.
• Participate to broader healthcare and public policy projects, beyond cardiovascular health.

Your profile:

• University degree in science, pharmacy, medicine or (health) economics with strong interest in health care policy and the advocacy environment
• A degree in law, political science, economics/finance is an asset.
• At least 2 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, a health authority or governmental body
• Experience with cross-functional collaboration
• A strong existing network is an asset

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French, English and Dutch.
• Team player
• Strong collaborative mindset
• Creative, positive minded
• Robust storytelling and communication skills
• Customer-oriented mindset
• Good project management skills
• Partnering and facilitating skills to build strong and sustainable relationships, both internally as well as external
• Ability to meet deadlines while managing multiple projects
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Trustworthy and accountable
• Ability to generate innovative ideas/ solutions

Do you have a passion for healthcare, public policy, and improving patient outcomes? Are you motivated to contribute to the future of cardiovascular health through policy development, stakeholder engagement, and cross-sector collaboration? Join our Company and help drive innovative initiatives that improve access to care and support a healthier society.

Required Skills:

Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Agile Thinking, Collaboration, Collaborative Leadership, Communication Coordination, Communication Delivery, Community Interaction, Content Management Systems (CMS), Cross-Functional Project Management, Event Planning, Global Coordination, Healthcare Policies, Ideation, Influencing Skills, Liaison Work, Media Purchase, Pharmacoeconomics, Policy Development, Policy Implementation, Project Leadership, Project Team Management, Public Relations Services, Relationship Building {+ 9 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

10/21/2026

*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.