Senior Medical Advisor

Job Description

Role Summary

Senior Medical Advisor holds primary responsibility within the country for the development and execution of the Medical Affairs strategic plans and is expected to spend up to 50% of their time on external engagements. The role focuses on cross-functional strategy collaboration and execution, building trust with the medical/scientific community, facilitating peer-to-peer medical and scientific exchange, and providing asset issue resolution support.

WHAT YOU MUST HAVE

Responsibilities and Primary Activities

Asset Management & Business Leadership

• Consolidates actionable medical insights from the country that can help inform company strategies

• Translates Global Medical Goals and Strategies into research, data analysis, scientific communication, education, and other solutions that improve patient outcomes and enhance access in their country

• Follows up on investigator-initiated study proposals they receive that are aligned with the MISP (Investigator Studies Program) areas of interest as per guidance and instructions in the MISP manual

• Supports execution of and quickly adapts tactical plan to business realities in country

• Acts with ethics and integrity; provides non-promotional, balanced, reliable, and scientific information; follows strictly company standards and local regulations

Scientific & Technical Leadership

• Infuses country’s scientific and healthcare environment perspective into Regional Medical Affairs Team

• Communicates both scientific and business needs credibly, appropriately, and effectively across a variety of internal and external stakeholders at all levels

• Builds trust with external scientific community via peer-to-peer scientific exchange, research, and educational collaborations, and via interactions with scientific societies, health organizations, publications, etc.

• Provides therapeutic/functional training to assigned teams and affiliate functions

• Develops and executes country medical educational programs and symposia

• Leads country advisory boards and expert input forums to inform company strategy

• Participates in and contributes significantly to professional organizations and academic or regulatory working teams

Asset Regulatory Management

• Successfully collaborates with and leads resolution of Regulatory, Reputational (i.e., Public Relations), Compliance, and other asset issues management

• Collaborates in the successful management of asset safety or quality issues (i.e., contributes content and strategy in regulatory responses and interactions, risk management planning, and implementation)

Medical Information

• Provides prompt medical information support, such as research and answering of medical inquiries from external and internal customers, and reviews/approves local response documents

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT 

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

• MD, PhD, PharmD, or pharmacist degree

• 5 or more years of medical affairs experience in pharmaceutical industry.

• Experience with local pharmaceutical industry guidelines, regulatory/reimbursement framework, and clinical research guidelines

• Ability to think strategically, specifically in relation to asset value proposition and clinical and value evidence Ability to develop a network of scientific leaders and successful interactions with other key stakeholders (public groups, government officials, medical professional organizations) in therapy areas

• Proven ability to effectively communicate information at country management level, with public groups and to scientific leaders

• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, communication (written and oral), and results-oriented project management skills

• Strong prioritization skills and ability to understand how decisions fit into the broader context of corporate strategies

Preferred

• Experience in relevant therapeutic areas (General Medicine; Cardiology, Respiratory, Immunology)

Who we are

We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and MSD everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.

What we look for

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Clinical Engagement, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Study Management, Consultation, Healthcare Education, Infectious Disease Research, Medical Marketing Strategy, Medical Review, Multiple Therapeutic Areas, Pharmaceutical Compliance, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Professional Guidance, Project Life Cycle Management, Regulatory Training, Scientific Communications, Scientific Leadership, Strategic Thinking

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:

06/30/2026

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