Ensures alignment and coordination with Global Public Policy colleagues for selected therapeutic areas and shares important market insights to shape the global strategy.
Leads policy prioritization and planning efforts, including impact tracking, policy analysis and preparation of executive briefing materials.
Partners with the AVP, his Leadership Team and Policy Heads in specific markets to craft clear public policy positions and strategic 'asks' for use by senior leaders and spokespeople.
Advocates the Company's policy positions with EU institutions and organizations, either directly or through coordination with internal teams, while aligning national-level efforts with broader EU advocacy, including engagement with EFPIA and Brussels-based stakeholders.
Fosters exchange of relevant information among stakeholders, builds alliances and consensus around processes and resources to drive towards common objectives.
Collaborates cross-functionally with internal teams, including brand, market planning, regulatory, clinical research and corporate affairs, to deliver integrated, high-impact policy initiatives.
Organizational Leadership
Supports the development of policy capabilities and talent across the region.
Collaborates with Policy Heads in specific markets to guide and activate the Company's European policy network, serving as a catalyst for change aligned with business priorities.
Focuses on core competencies needed in policy teams, sharing best practices, training and addressing gaps.
Facilitates effective interactions within the Europe & Canada Hub and other internal divisions including global therapeutic area policy to ensure alignment and integration.
Builds relationships internally and externally that promote learning, obtain results and strengthen alliances with other internal functions.
Engages with and advises internal and externa
Benefits
Vision insurance
Additional Information
Job Description
Executive Director Policy, Strategic Market Initiatives & Therapeutic Areas
Position Overview:
We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Executive Director to work closely with the Associate Vice President (AVP), Europe & Canada Hub Leader, to lead and advise its Public Policy efforts in two ways:
Lead selected Europe & Canada policy strategic initiatives that cut across markets, therapeutic areas or functions, with a focus on Most Favored Nation (MFN) markets and other markets reporting directly to the Regional President for Europe & Canada
To design, select and implement strategies for any required therapeutic area across Europe & Canada, in collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders
This new position will be based in the company's policy office in the EU district of Brussels, Belgium as frequent external face-to-face engagements with policy-makers and stakeholders in Brussels will be regularly required.
They will join two other Executive Directors in the AVP's Leadership Team who lead overall quality, prioritization and coordination across the Europe & Canada policy agenda, as well as talent development for the Europe & Canada Hub. This Leadership Team meets on a weekly basis and deputize for the AVP when required. The role includes direct management of two policy directors, with oversight of other Hub team members as required.
Drawing on deep experience in pharmaceutical policy and government relations across major markets, the Executive Director will partner closely with the AVP, his leadership team and key market policy leads to advance strategic initiatives, align national priorities with European advocacy, and ensure consistent country‑level pull‑through in a complex geopolitical environment. Future business success depends on fast, broad patient access to new assets, enabled by a favorable policy ecosystem in which decision‑makers understand unmet medical need, recognize the full value of innovation, and act with appropriate urgency.
This Executive Director will also specifically lead the development and execution of public policy strategies for our existing and future portfolio in specific therapeutic areas (as some are currently line managed by the AVP directly). Ensuring the best possible policy environment for launch markets for these products will be an important priority for the role, including maximizing the opportunities presented by EU Plans and initiatives.
Operating across a wide range of commercial and strategic issues, the role requires strong hands-on cross functional leadership and the ability to engage effectively with external stakeholders, including policy-makers, patient associations, medical societies, EFPIA and national industry associations.
Merck · - Brussels - Brussels (souverain), Belgium