Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Engagement, the Executive Director, Global Public Policy and Multilateral Engagement is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with multilateral and international organizations, Geneva missions, and industry partners to advance our Company policy and business objectives by leveraging these networks to further goals aligned with our Company’s global public policy priorities. This individual has a robust global and political network and an understanding of the full scope of pharmaceutical policy issues, including intellectual property rights, global trade, and access to medicines. The leader demonstrates a proven ability to anticipate, understand, and react quickly to actions of international organizations and member state governments that may impact company interests.

The Executive Director and their team will serve as subject matter experts on global health and industrial policy issues within the company, represent the company on these issues to international organizations, and contribute to the development and execution of industry-wide agendas on these concerns. The leader and their team will maintain close relationships with multilateral organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Economic Forum (WEF), as well as industry associations such as IFPMA, to advance our Company’s objectives and develop cross-sector, cross-border coalitions as appropriate.

The leader will represent our Company at its highest level directly or by preparing our Global Public Policy Leadership Team and Executive Leadership Team members for interactions with multilateral organizations and officials to deliver key messages and communications. This includes developing and executing a comprehensive annual engagement agenda for key global summits such as Davos and the World Health Assembly and preparing related briefing materials for senior leadership meetings with government officials and other key stakeholders.

This role is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and may require travel to engage with international organization leaders and government officials at multilateral and global policy events.

Scope of work and core responsibilities include:

• Generate and sustain relationships with key officials in multilateral organizations such as the WHO, WTO, and WEF and other influential organizations to promote company business objectives in line with our Company’s global policy priorities

• Develop and direct the execution of a coherent global-to-local multilateral engagement agenda for key policy-focused events including the World Health Assembly, Davos, World Health Summit, and Conferences of Parties (COP) on Biodiversity and Climate aligned to business priorities and risk mitigation plans

• Represent our Company in engagements with multilateral organizations to deliver key messages and advocate for policies that align with our Company’s objectives

• Coordinate policy and technical cooperation activities with key multilateral organization offices in Geneva to facilitate access to our products, such as the WHO Essential Medicines Listing, and new therapeutic area and regional relationships aligned with business objectives

• Identify current and emerging global health, industrial, and multilateral policy and geo-political risks and opportunities. Work across the enterprise to create advocacy strategies, positions, and messaging and lead multilateral-focused advocacy in these focus areas

• Differentiate our Company by securing thought leadership roles within multilateral organizations and industry associations to advance company objectives and develop cross-sector coalitions as appropriate.

• Proactively identify strategic engagement opportunities and develop materials for briefing senior leadership for meetings with multilateral organizations and other officials

• Provide regular communication and analysis to senior leaders and cross-functional teams on key policies under consideration in multilateral forums to inform business strategies and policy priorities

• Manage professional staff and consultants as required

Skills and qualifications/education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Doctoral degree in public policy, public health, public administration, economics, political science, or political economy strongly preferred

• Accomplished public policy professional with at least 10 years’ experience in international government affairs with a preference for candidates with experience in multilateral organizations or member state missions in Geneva or New York

• Pharmaceutical sector, medical device, or related policy background preferred with specific emphasis on access, pricing and reimbursement, intellectual property, and trade policy

• Deep understanding of multilateral organizations’ role in shaping global health and pharmaceutical industry policies

• Superior interpersonal, leadership, and diplomacy skills

• Ability to manage time-sensitive, competing priorities with effective project management

• Willing and able to work in a dynamic environment and possess an innovative spirit

• Effective in collaborating with people at all levels of an organization and willing to contribute wherever needed, providing leadership to operational activities as well as to senior executives

• Strong people management skills and experience

• Verbal and written fluency in English. Excellent writing and communication skills with the proven ability to develop new, innovative ways to influence policy deliberations in a rapidly changing environment

• Ability to travel up to 10-20% per year

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 recently 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. The new location has a target date of 2021 for operational readiness.

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.

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

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: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Requisition ID: R287017