Executive Director, US Marketing Lead Ophthalmology

Job Description

Our US Ophthalmology team is dedicated to improving the lives of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) through a pipeline of two investigational therapies. We pursue this mission through patient focus, innovation, expanded access to transformative treatments, and collaboration with healthcare systems, governments, and payers. Grounded in scientific rigor and flawless execution, we aim to bring breakthrough therapies to the patients who need them most.

The Executive Director, US Marketing Leader will lead U.S. marketing strategy and execution for the first launch, a late-stage pipeline asset for DME and nAMD, while also shaping early U.S. commercial strategy for pipeline assets in the ophthalmology portfolio. This leader will build and lead the healthcare professional (HCP) and healthcare consumer (HCC) marketing teams and partner closely with Payer and Scientific Strategy teams. Working across the enterprise, the role will help deliver a successful launch and sustained growth for the first launch, while collaborating with Global Marketing to inform early commercial decisions for pipeline assets in the ophthalmology portfolio.

This role reports to the Associate Vice President, U.S. Ophthalmology Franchise Leader.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning: Develop and execute the marketing strategy for the first launch to drive growth and maximize market potential. Partner with Global Marketing to shape early marketing decisions for pipeline assets for the ophthalmology portfolio and overall portfolio strategy.

• Product Commercialization: Lead integrated brand planning and execution for the first launch, overseeing HCP and HCC commercial activities while partnering with Scientific Strategy, Payer Marketing, Global Ophthalmology, Digital, data and analytics team, and other key stakeholders to ensure a cohesive commercialization plan and execute with precision.

• Enterprise Collaboration: Work across the enterprise with Medical Affairs, Value and Implementation, Global Marketing to align on critical strategic decisions, including product profile, labeling, scenario planning, enterprise narrative, and lifecycle planning for the portfolio.

• Launch Excellence: Lead U.S. launch readiness for the first launch across key workstreams, including supply, customer engagement, data and analytics, field deployment and readiness, patient support, communications, and marketing campaigns.

• Omnichannel Engagement: Define and execute an omnichannel strategy across customer audiences, using digital innovation, analytics, and real-world insights to drive adoption and persistence.

• Financial Management: Own financial forecasts and the overall promotional budget for our Company's Ophthalmology, using market insights, industry trends, and analytics to inform key assumptions.

• Team Leadership: Build and lead a high-performing HCP and HCC marketing organization, providing clear direction, coaching, and development opportunities. Lead a team of approximately eight employees.

• Compliance and Regulatory: Ensure all activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree. Preferred: MBA or equivalent business qualification.

Required Experience:

• Industry Expertise: At least 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare industries.

Preferred Experience:

• Commercial Leadership: Proven success in marketing, market access, sales, and launch execution.

• Team Leadership: Strong ability to attract, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.

• Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of market dynamics, patient journeys, and the payer landscape, preferably in retina and ophthalmology.

• Strategic and Innovative Thinking: Ability to turn complex data into actionable strategies and use innovation to drive impact.

• Collaboration: Exceptional ability to work across commercial and cross-divisional teams.

• Compliance: Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements in the biopharmaceutical industry.

• Product Launch: Launch experience strongly preferred.

• Ophthalmology, retina, or specialty biologics preferred.

Required Skills:

Advertising Campaign Development, Advertising Campaign Development, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceutics, Brand Management, Customer-Focused, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Executive Presence, Financial Management, Innovation, Macular Degeneration, Market Analysis, Marketing Strategies, Market Research, Medical Affairs, Omnichannel Marketing, Ophthalmology, People Leadership, Pricing Strategies, Professional Networking, Sales Collaboration, Strategic Management, Strategic Planning {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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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.

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The salary range for this role is

$255,800.00 - $402,700.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this 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.

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.

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

08/5/2026

*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.