Director Policy Solutions

Job Description

Global Policy and Public Affairs (GPP) advances our company’s mission by developing policy and shaping an environment that supports innovation, sustainable access to medicines and vaccines, and improved outcomes for patients and society. Working across the enterprise, regions, and markets, GPP anticipates policy trends, engages external stakeholders, and translates insights into strategies that advance business and public health priorities.

The Director, Policy Solutions is a lead and subject matter expert on a portfolio of cross-cutting policy issues affecting pharmaceutical innovation, access, and business operations. Reporting to the Executive Director, Policy Development and Strategy, the Director monitors emerging developments, identifies risks and opportunities, identifies where new policy thinking is needed, and leads the development of clear, evidence-based company positions. Beyond defining problems, the Director develops practical policy options that meet public policy objectives while supporting the company’s ability to innovate, compete, and operate. Working with Global Policy colleagues, internal experts, and external partners, the Director builds the fact base, integrates enterprise perspectives, and takes issues from analysis to decision-ready solutions. The issue portfolio will be assigned flexibly based on organizational priorities and team expertise.

The role is based in the US (Washington, DC/Rahway), Belgium (Brussels), or Switzerland (Zurich/Lucerne).

Scope of work and core responsibilities include

• Develop practical policy solutions and alternatives that address legitimate public policy objectives while supporting innovation, access, competitiveness, and the company’s ability to operate.

• Monitor and assess emerging policy issues that could create material risks or opportunities for the company, and provide timely analysis of their implications, potential scenarios, and recommended responses.

• Lead the development and maintenance of evidence-based company policy positions , including clear objectives, principles, supporting evidence, red lines, acceptable outcomes, and business implications.

• Serve as a subject matter expert for assigned policy areas , providing informed, practical counsel to Global Public Policy leaders; therapeutic area, regional and market teams; and relevant business partners.

• Build and lead cross-functional relationships and working groups to integrate relevant enterprise, regional, and market perspectives into coherent company positions and solutions.

• Represent the company in relevant trade association working groups and external policy forums , using these engagements to monitor and inform policy developments, contribute the company’s perspective, and help shape constructive policy approaches.

• Translate policy analysis and approved positions into decision-ready and usable materials , including policy briefs, option assessments, evidence packages, executive briefings, and substantive guidance for advocacy and external engagement.

• Draw on external expertise and manage commissioned work as needed to strengthen the company’s understanding of emerging issues, test potential solutions, and fill evidence or capability gaps.

• Provide concise updates and recommendations to senior leaders and contribute to broader portfolio prioritization, strategic planning, and evaluation.

Skills and qualifications/education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, government, industry, think tanks, business associations, consulting, or a related field.

• Experience in the pharmaceutical, medical technology, or another highly regulated sector preferred, particularly on cross-cutting policy issues with enterprise-wide implications.

• Experience working across multiple markets or in a global or regional policy environment preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to rapidly understand complex policy, regulatory, legislative, and geopolitical issues and translate them into clear implications, options, and recommendations.

• Experience developing evidence-based policy positions and practical policy solutions that account for public policy objectives, business realities, implementation requirements, and tradeoffs.

• Strong analytical judgment and the ability to work effectively with incomplete evidence, competing objectives, and significant ambiguity.

• Ability to lead focused, cross-functional work, influence without authority, and integrate perspectives into a coherent enterprise position or solution.

• Ability to represent an organization credibly in external policy forums, engage constructively with differing perspectives, and communicate complex positions with sound judgment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce concise, decision-ready materials for senior leaders and usable policy resources for internal teams.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work in time-sensitive environments.

• Self-starter with intellectual curiosity, creativity, sound judgment, and a strong orientation toward identifying policy risks and opportunities and developing new policy solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to work across culturally and matrixed teams with a high degree of collaboration.

• Fluency in written and spoken English and a high degree of ethics and professional integrity.

Required Skills

Adaptability, Animal Health Care, Communication Coordination, Compliance Support, EU Policy Making, Healthcare Policies, Multilateral Organizations, Noncommunicable Diseases, Patient Advocacy, Personal Initiative, Policy Development, Political Forums, Regulatory Development, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The primary location for this posting is

USA - District of Columbia - Washington DC (Pennsylvania Ave)

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is

$190,800.00 - $300,300.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs. The 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 .

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information

San Francisco Residents Only:  We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only:  We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

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

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

11/20/2026 *A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE  the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.