Executive Director, Medical Affairs - ID/Vaccine

5w1 month ago

MSD

Tokyo, JP · Full-time

About this role

This executive-level role leads Medical Affairs for the ID/Vaccine franchise in Japan, overseeing multiple therapeutic areas including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and HIV infection. As a key leader within the Business Unit Leadership Team, you ensure that medical strategies are fully integrated with corporate objectives.

Day-to-day responsibilities include prioritizing the Country Medical Affairs Plan (CMAP) across the franchise, supervising evidence generation and publication, and overseeing the Investigator Sponsored Research (ISR) process. You will also guide and approve country input to align local medical priorities with the global V&I strategy.

You will report directly to the Head of Medical Affairs and act as the primary point of contact for V&I Global Medical and Scientific Affairs. The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional partners including Regulatory, Clinical Research, Pharmacovigilance, and Legal to ensure compliance and quality.

This position offers the opportunity to attract, develop, and empower a franchise medical team distinguished for strategic foresight, medical expertise, and collaborative spirit. You will drive impactful scientific projects and shape the medical landscape for infectious diseases in Japan.

Requirements

Proven leadership experience in Medical Affairs within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
Deep expertise in infectious diseases, vaccines, and/or related therapeutic areas such as HIV or monoclonal antibodies.
Experience developing and executing Country Medical Affairs Plans (CMAP) aligned with global strategy.
Ability to lead and inspire a team of medical professionals through coaching, development, and business management.
Strong track record of cross-functional collaboration with Regulatory, Clinical, Legal, and Compliance teams.
Excellent communication skills to convey scientific, medical, and business needs to a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Experience overseeing evidence generation, including Investigator Sponsored Research (ISR) and publication planning.

Responsibilities

Lead the ID/Vaccine Medical Affairs franchise, taking responsibility for vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, HIV infection, and all relevant products.
Serve as a proactive contributing leader of the BU Leadership Team, fostering cross-functional trust and representing Medical Affairs.
Develop and execute the Country Medical Affairs Plan (CMAP) across all therapeutic areas within the franchise.
Supervise evidence generation and publication, identifying and prioritizing evidence gaps from Japan's perspective.
Oversee Investigator Sponsored Research (ISR) as the regional representative, ensuring scientifically and ethically appropriate implementation.
Participate in the Scientific Committee Meeting (MA-SC), contributing to and making decisions on relevant scientific projects.
Collaborate effectively with Business Unit, Regulatory, Clinical Research, Clinical Operations, Pharmacovigilance, and other risk-related functions.
Attract, develop, and lead a franchise Medical team recognized internally and externally for strategic foresight and medical expertise.

Benefits

Opportunity to lead Medical Affairs for a premier pharmaceutical franchise in Japan.
Direct access and visibility to global V&I Medical and Scientific Affairs leadership.
Chance to shape and execute strategy across multiple high-impact therapeutic areas.
Autonomy to attract and develop a high-performing medical team.