Therapeutic Lead - Medical Affairs (Poland)

Job Description

Join us at an exciting moment of growth and transformation, where you will have the opportunity to shape the future of Medical Affairs in Poland while leading a team. This is more than a leadership role, it's a unique chance to influence strategy, build trusted partnerships, and help bring innovative medicines to patients who need them most.

Purpose of the Position

As Associate Director, Medical Affairs, you will lead a team of Medical Affairs professionals and play a pivotal role in defining and delivering the medical strategy across our General Medicine/Infectious Disease portfolio in Poland. You will combine scientific excellence with people leadership, helping the organization navigate growth, build new capabilities, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration.

Success in this role is not only measured by strategy execution, but by your ability to inspire people, build trust, develop talent, and create an environment where teams can thrive. You will act as a key strategic partner to local, regional, and global stakeholders while contributing to an exciting pipeline of future innovations.

Welcome to Our Team

Our Medical Affairs organization in Poland is growing. We are building new capabilities, expanding our scientific impact, and investing in the future. You will join a highly collaborative, international leadership team that values curiosity, inclusion, mutual respect, and bold thinking.

You will lead a dedicated team of Medical Advisors across multiple therapeutic areas, with the opportunity to shape future growth. This is an environment where ideas are welcomed, innovation is encouraged, and leadership at every level matters.

Main Responsibilities

- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Medical Affairs team while fostering a culture of trust, inclusion, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Define and execute the local Medical Affairs strategy in alignment with global priorities, business objectives, and future pipeline opportunities.
- Build strong partnerships with Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, Clinical Research, and Regional Medical Affairs colleagues to drive strategic alignment.
- Guide the organization through growth and change, helping establish new capabilities, structures, and ways of working.
- Generate and translate scientific insights into actionable recommendations that support patient outcomes and business strategy.
- Represent Medical Affairs in cross-functional leadership discussions and contribute to key strategic decisions.
- Foster meaningful engagement with external scientific experts, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem.
- Ensure the highest standards of scientific integrity, ethics, quality, and compliance in all Medical Affairs activities.

Your Profile

- Advanced scientific degree (MD, PharmD, PhD, or equivalent).
- Significant experience within the biopharmaceutical industry in Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, or a related field.
- Proven people leadership experience, including leading, developing, and inspiring teams through change and growth.
- Strong emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust, create engagement, and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
- Demonstrated success working cross-functionally within matrix organizations and influencing at senior leadership level.
- Strategic mindset combined with operational excellence and the ability to translate vision into action.
- Excellent communication skills in English and Polish.

What We Offer

At our company, you will have the opportunity to contribute to innovative science while growing your leadership career in a truly international environment.

We offer:

- A strategic leadership role with high visibility and meaningful impact.
- The opportunity to shape a growing Medical Affairs organization and influence its future direction.
- Exposure to regional and international projects, stakeholders, and career development opportunities.
- A collaborative culture where diverse perspectives are valued and every voice is heard.
- Flexible hybrid working arrangements that support both personal wellbeing and business collaboration.
- Access to continuous learning, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities.
- The chance to work on a promising and innovative pipeline that has the potential to improve patients' lives.
- A workplace committed to inclusion, belonging, and empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work every day.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.

Required Skills:
Clinical Development, Matrix Management, Multiple Therapeutic Areas, Operational Compliance, Organizational Leadership, Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Pharmaceutics, Scientific Communications, Situational Leadership, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:

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Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:
11/6/2026
*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.