Director, Scientific Patient Engagement

Director Scientific Patient Engagement LeadThe Director Scientific Patient Engagement Lead is responsible for developing and implementing a global strategic patient engagement plan aligned with therapeutic objectives ensuring the patients' perspective remain central to the work of the company. The Scientific Patient Engagement Lead manages and enables the planning and execution of patient engagement initiatives and manages relationships between patient advocacy organizations (PAOs) and the company. This position coordinates with both internal and external stakeholders, gathers insights, and includes patient input into clinical research, V&I, commercial, policy, and manufacturing plans.The Scientific Patient Engagement Lead will drive/execute the patient engagement and advocacy strategy in alignment with company priorities, work cross-functionally with various internal teams and externally with patients, advocates and PAOs to coordinate and cascade expertise. This Leader is innovative, collaborative, strategic, compassionate, and can lead directly and indirectly through influence.Responsibilities and Primary Activities:Develops the headquarters therapeutically aligned strategic plan, executes strategic initiatives and assists in planning of key performance indicators (KPI), goals and tactics that flow from evolving Value and Implementation priorities, and internal and external factorsExecutes and implements patient innovation and engagement activities through incorporation of the patient voice into internal strategy development and decision-making across the companySupports efforts to gather and include patients' and advocates insights and perspectives throughout the product lifecycleDevelop the headquarters therapeutically aligned strategic patient advocacy and educational plansDevelop, manage, and support long-term PAO relationships through engagement and communicationServe in a liaison function to PAOs and patient arms of professional societiesFacilitate engagement through active participation at national and regional congresses and successful implementation of meetings with PAO leadership and executive staffEnsure compliance with existing company guidelines as they pertain to patient advocacyNavigates across internal and external stakeholders ranging from individual patients to highly networked patients and medical organizationsCollaborates with key internal stakeholders to proactively develop and execute the global Value and Implementation planParticipates in external conferences, congresses, and industry consortiums to represent the company's focus on the patient including speaking, presenting and authoring publications.Ensures alignment with regional and country level related activities (patient, scientific, medical)Supports any division with needs relating to patient engagement or patient advocacy, including the company's Research Labs, Human Health, the company's Manufacturing Division, IT, and othersDevelops the talent on the team and seeks opportunities to enhance their capabilitiesTracks associated spend for activities and communicates with TA and Strategy LeadTracks and reports impacts, findings and associated key metrics and measurements related to workKey Internal Stakeholders:Patient Innovation and Engagement Center of Excellence Therapeutic Area Leadership Global Policy and Corporate Communications Teams US Federal Policy & Government Relations State Government Affairs & Policy Research and Development Division, Value & Implementation Human Health, Manufacturing Division, IT Global Medical Proficiency and External Affairs (GMPEA) Global Clinical Development (GCD)Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience:Minimum:Advanced Degree in health sciences -OR- equivalent level of patient engagement work experience [MD, MSN, or PhD strongly desirable]Minimum of 10 years' experience in the healthcare industry (clinical/biopharmaceutical/patient advocacy organization, etc)Minimum of 3 years' experience managing relationships with external stakeholders.Deep academic understanding of the science of patient input and a strong record of achievement obtaining and incorporating patient insights into decision makingDeep understanding of Patient Engagement, Patient Insights, Patient Advocacy Organizations, as well as knowledge of best practices in those areasU.S./Global experience in clinical research, regulatory affairs, scientific and medical affairs, or pharmaceutical policyAbility to understand the importance of patient innovation and engagement across the companyRecord of advocating or advancing patient engagement experienceAbility to navigate a complex matrixed organization, think creatively, and develop innovative strategies and solutionsAbility to understand and manage a diverse set of issues and engage with a diverse, complex group of stakeholdersAbility to manage competing priorities with effective collaboration and program management skillsHigh degree of ethics and ability to build effective working relationships, both internally and externallyOther Personal Characteristics:Scientific and medical credibility to represent the company to patients, patient advocates, patient organizations and medical and scientific organizationsAbility to work in a complex organization and to effectively operate in a team-oriented structureExcellent interpersonal, communication (written as well as oral), results-oriented project management, facilitation, and consultative skills to influence decision making are requiredCompassionate communicator skilled in empathetic listening and navigating sensitive patient conversationsExperience managing interactions with senior leaders, ability to work well as a team memberAbility to travel, 15-20% anticipatedPreferred:Prior experience working with patients and PAOs strongly desiredExperience in the therapeutic area space strongly desiredDemonstrated track record of establishing trusted and meaningful relationships with patient organizations and with professional society or public health organizations and their leaders strongly preferredRequired Skills:Client Advocacy, Clinical Research, KOL Engagement, Medical Affairs, Oncology, Patient Advocacy, Patient Insights, Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Relationship Management, US Regulatory AffairsPreferred Skills:Salary Range:$187,000.00 - $294,400.00The 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.Relocation: DomesticVISA Sponsorship: NoTravel Requirements: 25%Flexible Work Arrangements: HybridJob Posting End Date: 12/4/2025