Executive Director, Vaccine Science and Technology

Merck is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and consumer health products, as well as animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company - one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us.

Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity and teamwork of people like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. As part of our global team, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

Executive Director, Vaccine Science and Technology

West Point, PA

With the guidance of the Chief Public Health and Science Officer and in collaboration with the Executive Director, Public Health Strategy and Partnership Development, the Executive Director, Vaccine Science and Technology is responsible for creating an enabling environment for vaccine development and expanded population vaccine coverage through strategic engagement with assigned governmental, scientific, academic and public health organizations. These organizations could include NIH, IOM / NAS, FDA, White House Office of Science and Technology, WHO (scientific engagement), Academic Institutions and Private Sector Scientific Partnerships.

This leader is also responsible for stakeholder interactions and innovative solutions that address emerging and cross-cutting issues related to vaccine science and technology. Examples of these issues include the development of novel partnerships to advance vaccine science and technology, vaccine quality and integrity, and fostering an enabling policy environment to facilitate new vaccine discovery science and new vaccine development.

Specific Responsibilities:

Primary responsibility of the leader is to seek opportunities for shared value by fostering meaningful and durable relationships with the staff and leadership (as appropriate) of key organizations to:

* Identify and prioritize unmet needs, untapped opportunities and emerging issues and stimulate filling of scientific, medical and regulatory science gaps through a robust understanding of the state of the science, decision makers and influencers, industry dynamics and Merck capabilities
* Lead development of strategy and engagement plans (in collaboration with the Executive Director, Public Health Strategy and Partnership Development) to meet these needs/opportunities with a focus on partnerships/collaborations, stakeholder relationships, access to information and resources, and external outreach and communications
* Champion the design and launch of novel collaborations and partnerships that advance scientific innovation, maximize population health impact and optimize the value of Merck's vaccine pipeline
* Serve as an ambassador of Merck within their respective with the broader scientific community through active participation in relevant scientific committees, advisory boards, scientific meetings and conferences, publications and other methods of external outreach
* Ensure cross-divisional and cross-functional alignment through coordination of strategies and activities with relevant internal constituencies who have "touch points" with these organizations including MRL, MMD, Regions, Chief Medical Office/Global Center for Scientific Affairs, Medical Affairs, Merck Vaccines' commercial organization, Business Development, etc.

Operational Capabilities:
o Stakeholder engagement with senior government officials, scientific leaders and global health advocates
o Stakeholder and market insights
o Strategic business management
o Scientific and/or Public Health expertise
o Collaboration/Partnership design and development
o Cross-divisional, cross-functional communications and alignment