Job Description

Do you have a passion for vaccines, immunology, and infectious diseases? Do you aspire to become an expert in vaccines? Do you want to contribute to improving patient outcomes via policy development and the regional tender process with your expertise?

Job Description

This role is part of the External Affairs department.

As Public Policy Manager Vaccines, you will be a key person to position the company as a preferred partner in Vaccines from a Policy Perspective. The main goals of this role are to develop a sustainable vaccine and infectious disease ecosystem and provide access to vaccines for the persons who need them.

Key activities:

• Lead advocacy efforts on key vaccine policy topics for Belgium and Luxembourg.
• Develop and promote comprehensive vaccine policies to ensure sustainable access for future vaccines.
• Design and implement Government Affairs strategies, proactively identifying healthcare trends and policies.
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with health authorities to support ongoing vaccine tender contracts.
• Manage internal follow-ups on vaccine tender contracts in collaboration with the vaccines cross-functional team (CFT) and operational tender team.
• Oversee the quality of vaccine tender dossiers, ensuring they are prepared in both French and Dutch.
• Collaborate with health economic/outcomes research and medical affairs teams to support local data generation, market access, and medical studies to address data gaps.
• Expand the company’s external network by fostering long-term relationships with key political and public health stakeholders.
• Represent the company in public affairs discussions related to vaccines externally.
• Analyze global, European, and Belgian healthcare trends to inform local public affairs strategies.
• Participate actively in relevant working groups within the industry and related associations.
• Collaborate closely with the medical team, vaccines CFT, external affairs, and policy and market access colleagues from local, regional, and global teams.

Your profile:

• University degree in science, pharmacy, medicine or (health) economics with strong interest in health care policy and the advocacy environment
• A degree in law, political science, economics/finance is an asset.
• At least 2 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, a health authority or governmental body
• Experience with cross-functional collaboration
• A strong existing network is an asset

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French, English and Dutch.
• Team player
• Strong collaborative mindset
• Creative, positive minded
• Robust storytelling and communication skills
• Customer-oriented mindset
• Good project management skills
• Partnering and facilitating skills to build strong and sustainable relationships, both internally as well as external
• Ability to meet deadlines while managing multiple projects
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Trustworthy and accountable

• Ability to generate innovative ideas/ solutions

Current Employees apply HERE

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:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

05/30/2025

*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.