Global Director, Scientific Affairs-Hematology/Oncology

Merck & Co., Inc. Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. known as Merck in the United States and Canada, is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where Merck has codified its legacy for over a century. Merck’s success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.

Merck is on a quest for cures and is committed to being the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Today, we’re doubling down on this goal. Merck Research Laboratories is a true scientific research facility of tomorrow, and will take Merck’s leading discovery capabilities and world-class small molecule and biologics R&D expertise to create breakthrough science that radically changes the way we approach serious diseases. 

The Global Director Scientific Affairs (GDSA) will focus on efforts to maximize meaningful bi-directional scientific exchange by incorporating external scientific input into Merck Research labs strategy to impact how Merck discovers, develops, and commercializes new drugs in oncology. He/She will join the relevant MRL late- stage Product Development teams in hematology/oncology, help oversee a large investigator- initiated studies program in oncology and help to lead a Global Scientific Affairs team, focusing on external scientific congress planning and support. As needed, the GDSA will also provide coordination and integration with Target and Discovery Research in oncology. 

The position will include responsibility for both internal and external commitments: 

External Responsibilities:

• Drive a credible and informed scientific dialogue with global Scientific Leaders in Oncology (responsible for relationships with key global Scientific Leaders across all regions relevant to the Oncology strategic priorities, both US and Ex-US)
• Partner with current GDSAs, and colleagues in MRL to execute the Scientific Leadership strategy in alignment with the end-to-end Oncology scientific strategy
• Partner with colleagues in Global Human Health (Medical Affairs and Commercial teams) to ensure alignment with regional and country scientific leader activities

Internal Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Merck Research Laboratory (MRL) Leadership in Oncology Clinical Research and in Early Development and Discovery to develop the Scientific Leadership strategy
• Establish Areas of Interest, review and approve a large volume of investigator-initiated studies in hematology/oncology
• Support and plan MRL activities at major scientific congresses, including collection and reporting of competitive intelligence
• Attract, retain and develop any direct report talent

Primary Activities: 

External Activities:
 

• Develop individual relationships with global leaders through scientific dialogue pertinent to Merck's interest
• Lead/participate in Merck-created scientific input forums (MRL consultants meetings and scientific advisory boards)
• Lead/participate in MRL activities at key global scientific congresses (i.e.: ASCO, AACR, ESMO, ASH, etc.)
• Ensure relationships with key professional societies and organizations as well as major academic medical centers
• Ensure existing Scientific Leaders relationship with Merck scientists are sustained and strengthen via appropriate Scientific Leader engagement plans
• Maintain credibility by being on leading edge on state of science and shifts in clinical and treatment paradigms
• Participate jointly with international and regional directors, medical affairs in regional/country activities to provide global perspective

Internal activities:
 

• Organize and chair a variety of input seeking forums to gain scientific input from external scientists for Merck Research Laboratory (MRL)
• Chair the Merck Investigator Initiated Studies Review Committee- responsible for reviewing a large volume of external investigator initiated scientific study protocols encompassing both pre-clinical and clinical work
• Coordinate MRL activities at key scientific congresses in Oncology, including collection of competitive intelligence at the congresses
• Help to lead the Global Scientific Affairs Team for Oncology
• Interface regularly and support a large field based team of Research Scientific Directors (RSDs) in oncology within the US
• Attend and actively participate in both Product Development Clinical sub-teams and Publications sub-teams for Hematology/Oncology
• Coordinate relationships across divisions within Merck, including close connectivity with both MRL and Medical Affairs colleagues/Commercial organization
• Maintain personal expertise in the disease area science and shifts in clinical and treatment paradigms
• Utilize the Merck Talent Management and Compensation processes to appropriately assess direct report performance (if applicable), ensure development and equitably recognize and reward talent. 

Qualifications

Education Requirement: 

• MD Experience (10+ years, post degree); subspecialty training in hematology/oncology required

Required:

• Publications in therapeutic area (Hematology/Oncology) with international recognition is desirable.
• Experience influencing research and development in stated disease area.
• Must be able to work in a complex organization environment and have ability to effectively operate in a team-oriented structure.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (written as well as oral), results-oriented project management, facilitation and consultative skills to influence decision making are required
• Experience managing interactions with senior leaders

Preferred:

• Medical Affairs or Scientific Affairs experience is desired within Biotech or Pharmaceutical, but not mandatory

Your role at Merck is integral to helping the world meet new breakthroughs that affect generations to come, and we’re counting on your skills and inventiveness to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement. At Merck, we’re inventing for life. 

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to staffingaadar@merck.com.

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully: 

Merck & Co., Inc. is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity.  Please, no phone calls or emails.  All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Merck via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Merck.  No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Merck as a result of the referral or through other means.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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Job: Scientific Affairs
Other Locations: Upper Gwynedd, PA, US 
Employee Status: Regular
Travel: 
Number of Openings: 1
Shift (if applicable): 
Hazardous Materials: 
Company Trade Name: Merck
Nearest Major Market: New York City 
Nearest Secondary Market: Newark