Executive Director, LMIC Pipeline and pre-Launch planning (m/f/d)

Job Description

We are seeking a visionary and strategic leader to oversee the evaluation and advancement of pipeline assets with a focus on ensuring access and commercial readiness in low-and-middle-income countries (L&MICs). This role is pivotal in designing and implementing sustainable strategies for broad access by working cross -functionally with internal teams - including R&D, regulatory and global commercial functions - as well as engaging with key external stakeholders such as global health organizations, NGOs and country-level partners. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of access challenges and market dynamics in L&MICs, and a proven ability to maximize patient access and health equity of scientific innovations through impactful, sustainable access strategies. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Rapid L&MIC Assessments:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of pipeline assets against the healthcare needs in L&MICs
• Identify key barriers to access and possible solutions
• Develop and implement Rapid L&MIC assessments for each asset, ensuring alignment with local health priorities and challenges

2. Strategic Development:

• Collaborate closely with the global commercial team to develop L&MIC strategies for assets with broad impacts
• Establish clear goals for increasing patient reach through commercially sustainable approaches
• Establish appropriate partnerships to facilitate and increase access to our assets

3. External Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage regularly with UN agencies, donors, and other public health stakeholders to foster partnerships that enhance health equity
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate the successful implementation of strategies

4. Barriers to Access:

• Identify and analyze common barriers to access in L&MICs and propose actionable solutions
• Utilize insights to inform strategy development and partnership initiatives

5. Cross-Functional Leadership:

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams in a multi-cultural environment to ensure alignment and drive progress on initiatives
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among various departments to achieve common objectives

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of commercial experience in the healthcare industry, with a focus on middle-income countries
• Proven experience in engaging with UN agencies, donors, and public health stakeholders
• Strong understanding of health equity issues and barriers to access in diverse healthcare settings
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams effectively
• Strong analytical skills, including experience with market assessments and strategy development
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams
• Prior experience in healthcare market access or commercial strategy roles
• Familiarity with public health frameworks and policies in L&MICs

Leadership skills:

• Entrepreneurship
• Strategic planning
• Networking & partnership
• Influence
• Execution excellence

THE COMPANY

Our Company has had a presence in Switzerland since 1963. With a regional office and manufacturing/packaging facility, Lucerne is considered the center of operations. Approximately 1,000 people work collaboratively at the four Lucerne locations (Tribschenstrasse, Citybay, Schachen and Kriens). A fifth location has been established in Zurich, aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of many of our company’s medicines and vaccines, which supports our mission to save and improve lives around the world.

We are proud to be certified as a “Top Employer Switzerland” and “Top Employer Europe” showing the company’s commitment to our employees and the community around us.

The Ring Center building located in Kriens is our Regional Headquarters for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Employees from 50 nations across the region bring their diverse backgrounds and experiences together to develop solutions that benefit all our patients. From this site we provide leadership and support to more than 70 local subsidiaries around the world.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

05/16/2025

*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.