Associate Director Medical Affairs Lead General Medicine & Speciality Medicine

About the Role

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp is seeking an Associate Director, Medical Affairs Lead- General Medicine & Speciality Medicine to join their team in Riyadh. This full-time position requires 2-5 years of experience and involves leading the Medical Affairs team, developing strategic plans, and fostering collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Leadership and Team Development

The Associate Director will be responsible for the recruitment, hiring, and development of talent within the Medical Affairs team. This includes creating a compliant, collaborative, and innovation-focused work environment, as well as building a culture of quality and compliance through training, oversight, and collaboration. The role also involves performing observational field visits with Field Medical Advisors to assess scientific and soft-skill acumen.

Medical Affairs Management

• Develop and execute Country Medical Affairs Plans (CMAPs) for the Therapeutic Area (TA), ensuring alignment with global strategy and adherence to regulations and SOPs.
• Manage the TA portfolio, balancing global and local priorities.
• Oversee the development and execution of CMAPs, including post-licensure research, publication plans, and investigator-initiated studies.
• Manage the operating administrative and lifecycle-management budget for the TA.
• Support inspections and audits, and assist in answering inquiries by health authorities and internal auditors.
• Ensure Field Medical Advisors/MSLs have assigned geographic territories and/or indications aligned with the Medical Affairs Plan.
• Manage country-developed Protocol Concept Sheets (PCSs) and support obtaining regional and global approvals for new local data-generation activities.

Internal Collaboration

• Represent V&I in cross-functional teams, collaborating with Global Clinical Development (GCD), Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO), and other internal stakeholders.
• Provide scientific expertise to commercial product teams, ensuring the scientific and medical value of the company’s products.
• Foster collaboration among local marketing teams, market access teams, Regional Directors of Medical Affairs (RDMAs), regional marketing, and Medical Managers to support the TA in achieving local and regional goals.
• Ensure correct development of core competencies of Medical Affairs within the team.

External Engagement

• Serve as the external interface with key TA stakeholders, professional societies, and the broader scientific community.
• Develop and maintain relationships with health-care professionals (HCPs), providers, and academic centers.
• Collaborate with market access, regulatory, and commercial colleagues to engage payers, policymakers, and other decision-makers.
• Liaise with national and international physicians to establish relationships and model HCP perception about the company's products.
• Engage in scientific exchange to bridge science to clinical practice and improve patient outcomes when needed.

Qualifications

Candidates should possess 2-5 years of relevant experience in Medical Affairs or a related field. The role requires a strong understanding of medical affairs principles, regulatory guidelines, and the ability to manage complex projects and teams effectively.