Job Description

• The US Director, Payor & Access Strategy Lead, Medical Affairs (PASL) is responsible for US Field Medical (FM) strategy, training, and prioritization of the Value & Implementation (V&I) plan for USMA Health Systems Oncology (HSO). The PASL for health systems oncology is an impactful member of US Medical Affairs (USMA) cross-functional teams, US Medical Affairs Teams (USMAT), and Value Teams (VT).

• The therapeutic area responsibilities of the US PASL are based on priorities and are subject to change as organizational and US HSO needs evolve. For this role, the US PASL will manage therapeutic areas including genitourinary cancers (urothelial, renal, prostate) and selected oncology asset(s).

• The US PASL drives US HSO strategic excellence and optimizes HSO and USMA readiness in support of payor access, pharmacoeconomic and scientific exchange aligned to Global V&I plan priorities. This is a regionally based position (US) in our company’s Research and Development (R&D) division.

Responsibilities and Primary Activities

• Responsible for the direction, coordination, implementation, control, and execution of USMA and HSO payor and access strategy for defined cancers and assets while remaining aligned to global medical and commercial strategy, commitments, and goals. Leads the US HSO integrated Field Medical (FM) plan process in collaboration with US HSO Executive Director (US HSO ED), US HSO Sr. Director PASL, US HSO Team Leads, and other members of the global and regional cross-functional teams.

• Develop and direct payor and access strategy in alignment with organizational priorities and unmet needs

• Collects, analyzes, and communicates scientific insights from US HSO Medical Affairs Director (MAD) field engagements to inform company strategies across our Research and Development Division/V&I, which includes Global Medical and Scientific Affairs (GMSA) and Outcomes Research (OR), and Commercial.

• Leads US Payor Access Team (US PAT) to support prioritizing US gaps/needs assessment, value evidence strategy and tactical plan for global V&I annual planning input (e.g., one-pager, V&I and CMAP plans).

• Serves as US Health Systems Oncology interface between GMSA, Commercial, and other relevant headquarters (HQ) functions and the US HSO Team

• Identifies and prioritizes US 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 USHSO and coordinates planning of HSO MAD activities at key scientific congresses

• Continuously scans the healthcare environment and quality landscape to analyze emerging trends in the oncology therapeutic and competitive landscape, in addition to market access to optimize US Field HSO Team capabilities

• Represents USMA HSO, in partnership with GMSA, in Expert Input Forums or Advisory Boards, as needed

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

Minimum

• Advanced healthcare/science degree (MD, PhD, or PharmD)

• 5+ years of prior pharmaceutical industry experience, (preferably Field Medical experience or equivalent biotech/pharmaceutical/Medical Affairs strategy experience), within oncology

  • OR 5+ years of experience working in quality/managed care/cancer center settings, with demonstrated oncology scientific acumen

  • OR Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP)/Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) with 5+ 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

• Thorough knowledge of clinical medicine, US healthcare delivery system structure and function, pharmacoeconomics, population health management, quality management, value-based payment, and healthcare 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, clinical research processes, 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

Preferred

• 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

Required Skills:

Clinical Oncology, Communication, Medical Affairs, Medical Knowledge, Oncology, Oncology Care, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Professional Integrity, Professional Networking, Strategic Thinking, Strategy Development

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$210,400.00 - $331,100.00

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

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Remote

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

07/1/2026

*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.