Associate Director, Medical Affairs - Ophthalmology

Job Description

Our Medical Affairs team advances patient care by engaging in scientific exchange with external medical experts and industry leaders, ensuring the scientific value of our products is comprehended. We unite, communicate, and train internal employees to ensure a thorough understanding of the science behind the medicine and review further unmet medical needs to support collaboration to further differentiate our portfolio.

The Opportunity:

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our company in the Medical Affairs team to drive the medical objectives. In this role, you will report to the Medical Affairs Director.

As a Medical Advisor for Ophthalmology, you will be the medical expert and accountable person for the entire product portfolio in this area, including both marketed products and innovative products in clinical development. You will use medical knowledge and customer insights to develop the country medical affairs plan and engage in non-promotional peer‑to‑peer communication. You will focus on education, sharing, generating data, and implementing programs that provide the most balanced data to our external stakeholders, scientific leaders, key decision makers, and the medical community at large, with the patient as the ultimate beneficiary.

Responsibilities include but will not be limited to the following key activities:

• Develop the local country Medical Affairs Plan (cMAP) and execute strategically aligned tactics and activities
• Collect, collate, and analyze insights from external stakeholders to identify unmet needs and data gaps, and provide medical strategic input to commercial, access, clinical, and regulatory stakeholders to inform their strategies
• Ensure scientifically balanced medical education pertaining to the therapeutic area through appropriate non‑promotional initiatives
• Identify and implement investigator‑initiated and local epidemiologic and (non)‑interventional data‑generating opportunities that benefit the medical community and address unmet medical needs and data gaps
• Collaborate with local GCTO (Global Clinical Trial Organization) management and investigators to identify opportunities to implement new studies in the country
• Work cross‑functionally with relevant internal stakeholders (Market Access, External Affairs, and Marketing)
• Represent the Medical Department at local or regional Medical Congresses and Symposia

Your Profile

Qualification & Experience:

The candidate must possess an M.D., Ph.D., or Pharm.D. degree along with recognized medical expertise. Additionally, they should have at least five years of experience in Medical Affairs, such as a Medical Advisor or Medical Science Liaison (MSL), with preferred scientific knowledge in ophthalmology.

Skills:

• Understanding of clinical trial methods, implementation, and interpretation of clinical data
• Sound scientific and clinical judgment and eagerness to continue to learn more
• Team player and action‑oriented matrix networker across different departments and corporate cultures
• A proactive “can do” attitude and passion
• Strong customer‑facing, listening, and probing skills
• Able to simultaneously handle multiple tasks and work under pressure
• Strong, confident, and engaging presentation and communication skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English are required

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Clinical Marketing, Data Analysis, Healthcare Education, Healthcare Management, Interpersonal Relationships, Management Process, Medical Care, Medical Knowledge, Medical Marketing Strategy, Ocular Pathology, Ophthalmology, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Project Management, Scientific Communications, Scientific Publications, Scientific Reviews, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, Teamwork

Preferred Skills:

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

12/15/2025

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