About Us:

How many companies can say they’ve been in business for over 179 years?!

Here at ZEISS, we certainly can! As the pioneers of science, ZEISS handles ever-changing environments in a fast-paced world, meeting it with cutting edge of technologies and continuous advancements. ZEISS believes that innovation and technology are the key to a sustainable future and solutions for global change. We have a diverse range of portfolios throughout the ZEISS family in segments like Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. We are a global company with over 46,000 employees and have over 4,000 in the US and Canada alone! Make a difference, come join the team!

Location/Region: This position is located in Toronto, Canada.

What’s the role?

The Head of Market Development, Myopia, & Professional Affairs is responsible for shaping short, mid, and long-term market creation, professional adoption, and clinical credibility across priority vision care categories, with defined leadership accountability for myopia management and workflows for Vision Technology Solutions (VTS). The role leads market development, professional affairs, and ecosystem building strategies to strengthen ZEISS’s leadership in vision care, with a strong focus on advancing standards of care, professional confidence, and technology integration. The position acts as the primary interface between ZEISS and the professional ecosystem, including Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), optometry and optician associations, academic institutions, and Eye Care Professionals (ECPs). The role defines and executes non-promotional, pre-commercial national market development strategies that integrate professional education, clinical engagement, and strategic partnerships. This is a high-impact role requiring strong strategic judgment, the ability to operate independently, and proven experience influencing complex healthcare ecosystems within a matrix organization.

Sound Interesting?

Here’s what you’ll do:

Market Development Strategy (Enterprise Scope):

• Define and lead short, mid, and long term market development strategies that expand category adoption and readiness across vision care segments.
• Identify clinical, professional, workflow, economic, and system- level barriers to adoption.
• Translate global strategies, trends, evidence, and innovation roadmaps into local market development priorities
• Inform internal stakeholders on market maturity, adoption curves, and ecosystem readiness.

Myopia Management:

• Own the myopia management strategy from a market development and professional affairs perspective
• Advance myopia management as a mainstream, evidence-based standard of care
• Define clinical pathways, education models, and professional adoption frameworks aligned to long-term patient outcomes.
• Serve as an internal and external thought leader on myopia management

Workflows for Vision Technology Solutions:

• Lead the market development and professional adoption strategies for Vison Technology Solutions (VTS).
• Drive professional understanding of how VTS integrates into clinical workflows and decision making.
• Identify adoption barriers related to technology, data interpretation, training, and practice economics
• Develop education programs and best-practice frameworks supporting appropriate clinical use of VTS.
• Collaborate with sales and service teams to support short, mid, and long-term customer partnerships built around VTS ecosystems.

Professional Affairs & Clinical Engagement:

• Serve as the Leader for professional and clinical engagement.
• Build strategic relationships with:
  • Optometrists and ophthalmologists
  • Academic and teaching institutions
  • Professional associations and regulatory bodies
  • Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs)
• Represent ZEISS as a trusted partner in the Vision Care community.

External Affairs, Advocacy & Ecosystem Partnerships:

• Represent ZEISS in professional, academic, technology, and policy related forums.
• Contribute to guideline development, standards of care, and best practice frameworks.
• Identify and manage partnerships that support short, mid, and long-term market sustainability and credibility.

Cross Functional Collaboration & Governance:

• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Sales, and global teams to ensure alignment between market development strategy and commercial execution
• Provide upstream professional, clinical, and market insights to inform Marketing decision making.
• Support consistent execution of global strategies while adapting to local professional and market dynamics.

Other responsibilities as assigned.

Do you qualify?

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Optometry, or a related field
• 10+ years of progressive experience in marketing, professional affairs, market development, or commercial roles within:
  • Medical devices
  • Vision care opticianry
  • Optometry
  • Pharmaceutical or healthcare technology sectors
• Proven leadership experience managing Professional Affairs–type functions, including:
  • Key Opinion Leader (KOL) engagement and development
  • Relationships with professional associations (optometry, opticianry, healthcare bodies
  • Academic and university partnerships
• Demonstrated success in market development initiatives, including:
  • Myopia management programs
  • Clinical or technology-led category creation
  • Long-term ecosystem building
• Hands-on experience in Vision Technology Solutions (VTS) or complex solution selling (devices, diagnostics, digital platforms) is highly preferred.
• Strong background in strategic B2B and B2C marketing, including:
  • Educational campaigns
  • Clinical positioning
  • Patient journey and workflow optimization
• Track record of working closely with sales leadership, product management, and global teams to translate strategy into market execution
• Experience operating in a matrix / global organization, aligning local execution with global strategy and standards
• Proven ability to influence without authority, engage senior stakeholders, and represent the brand at national conferences, advisory boards, and industry forums.

Working Conditions and Special Demands:

• Works on assignments that are complex in nature where considerable judgment and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations. Normally receives no instructions on routine work, general instructions on new assignments.
• Willing to travel up to 40%
• Toronto based.

The annual pay range for this position is $128,000 – $160,000

The pay offered for this role may be influenced by factors such as job location, scope of role, qualifications, education, experience, & complexity/specialization/scarcity of talent.

This position is also eligible for a performance bonus or sales commissions. 

We have amazing benefits to support you as an employee at ZEISS!

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• RPP
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Paid time off including vacation, personal, and sick days
• The list goes on!

ZEISS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Jo Anne Mittelman

As part of our recruitment process, we currently do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assess applications or make hiring decisions. This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Accommodation

ZEISS is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices. Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.