Associate Director, Ophthalmology Payer Marketing

Responsibilities

• Payer Strategy & Cross-Functional Alignment: Provide US payer and market access strategic input into Brand Marketing, Business Unit Leadership, Sales Leadership, Field Reimbursement Teams, Global Market Access Teams, Medical Affairs, Integrated Account Management, Legal, Compliance, and Finance.
• Value Proposition & Evidence Planning: Lead the development and alignment of the ophthalmology product value proposition; coordinate closely with Outcomes Research / Value & Implementation (V&I) and Medical Affairs to shape launch-ready value evidence strategies, economic models, and unbranded value platforms.
• Pre-Approval Access Readiness (PIE): Develop and execute compliant pre-approval payer engagement strategies and scientific/economic exchange resources (in accordance with FDAMA Section 114 / 21st Century Cures Act guidelines) to facilitate proactive, early dialogue with key health plan and payer decision-makers.
• Post-Approval Launch Tactics & Collateral: Drive the creation, review, and deployment of post-approval payer promotional campaigns, branded/unbranded value dossiers, customer segment resources, and access toolkits through Medical, Legal, and Regulatory (MLR/CRT) governance.
• Payer Segment Strategy: Formulate tailored customer segment strategies, messaging, and access solutions across relevant US payer and provider archetypes, including Medicare Part B (Fee-for-Service), Medicare Advantage, Commercial Health Plans, Managed Services Organizations (MSOs), Retina Specialty Clinics, GPOs, and VA/DoD channels.
• Field Pull-Through & Solutions: Partner with payer marketing partners to design compliant pull-through resources, to support appropriate patient access to our company's products.

Requirements

• Education: - Required: BA/BS Degree - Preferred: MBA, MPH, PharmD, or other advanced degree
• Required Experience and Skills: - Minimum of 5 years combined experience in market access, payer marketing, brand marketing, account management, or healthcare management consulting in the biopharmaceutical industry. - Demonstrated track record in developing and executing brand and customer payer access strategies, value messaging, and customer-facing promotional campaigns. - Solid understanding of the mechanics and economics of the US healthcare ecosystem, with specific expertise in Medical Benefit / Buy-and-Bill products, Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage, and Commercial payer dynamics. - Experience developing and routing promotional materials through medical, legal, and regulatory review processes. - Familiarity with compliant pre-approval communication frameworks (Pre-Approval Information Exchange [PIE] / FDAMA Section 114) and post-approval launch execution. - Proven ability to translate clinical data, health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), and market research insights into actionable payer value propositions. - Strong strategic thinking, analytical capabilities, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. - Excellent cross-functional leadership, executive communication, and stakeholder management skills. - Demonstrated ability to prioritize activities, manage agency partners and budgets, and drive complex launch deliverables within aggressive timelines.
• Preferred Experience and Skills: - Direct experience in Ophthalmology (specifically Retina therapeutics, such as nAMD, DME, or RVO) or specialty injectables/biologics. - Prior experience in new product launch planning or pre-commercial market access preparation. - Understanding of Retina clinic practice economics, Managed Services Organizations (MSOs), Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs), and permanent J-code transitions. - Experience collaborating with Field Reimbursement Managers (FRMs) and specialty field sales organizations. Required Skills: Adaptability, Adaptability, Agency Management, Agency Selection, Agile Principles, Brand Marketing, Competency Management, Creativity, Customer Insights, Financial Analysis, Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO), Market Access, Marketing Operations, Market Research, Market Segmentation, Medicare Part B, Organizational Leadership, Payer Strategy, Pharmaceuticals Marketing, Pipeline Management, Pipeline Planning, Pricing Strategies, Product Launch Planning, Product Segmentation, Promotions Management {+ 6 more}
• - Required Skills includes extensive list of capabilities.
• - Optional statements and links are preserved as provided.

Preferred

• Preferred Experience and Skills: - Direct experience in Ophthalmology (specifically Retina therapeutics, such as nAMD, DME, or RVO) or specialty injectables/biologics. - Prior experience in new product launch planning or pre-commercial market access preparation. - Understanding of Retina clinic practice economics, Managed Services Organizations (MSOs), Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs), and permanent J-code transitions. - Experience collaborating with Field Reimbursement Managers (FRMs) and specialty field sales organizations. Preferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Benefits

• 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 .