\\nJob Description

Our Policy & Communications team collaborate with governments and policy organizations at local and national levels. We address legislative and regulatory issues that promote and protect the discovery of innovative medicine, vaccines and animal health products while improving and protecting patient access to care. We take great care to monitor and manage the reputation of our company communicating the work we do to improve lives.

At our company in Switzerland we strive to contribute in creating a sustainable health care service in an open dialogue with political authorities and the health care administrations. We have for many years partnered with various stakeholders to co-develop solutions that today help hundreds of thousands of Swiss patients. The role of the Associate Director (Assoc. Dir) Policy & Communications, with focus on Vaccines Policy, significantly contributes to position the company as a relevant and key actor in the Swiss health care system and to drive company reputation through health policy activities. The Assoc. Dir is responsible for the advancement of vaccines policy priorities within relevant external platforms that positively impact and shape the environment in the relevant disease area in Switzerland. Furthermore, the role incumbent identifies important win-win approaches with relevant stakeholders in the sense of a continuous improvement of patient access and care. Equipped with deep insights and experience from e.g. politics, relevant Public Administration bodies or PR consultancies, the Assoc. Dir can provide us with the best advice on how our company in Switzerland can optimize its offer of treatment options in a sustainable manner. The Assoc. Dir background and strategic mindset will allow to perform solid analysis and present proposals for solutions in a credible and trustworthy manner. The position reports to the Director of Policy and Communications and is part of a team that covers Government relations.

Functional Responsibilities

In the role as Assoc. Dir Policy & Communications, responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Policy-related activities

Policy strategy development, overall planning and coordination of policy activities with a major focus on the Vaccines area

Monitoring of the development of the health policy framework at national and cantonal level (e.g. legislative and political initiatives) which are of relevance for the pharmaceutical industry and analysis of potential implications for the company

Identifying, planning and leading innovative policy activities across the relevant Business Units with focus on Vaccines

Development and Implementation of policy strategies to support the Business Unit \\xe2\\x80\\x98Primary Care & Vaccines\\xe2\\x80\\x99: identify new and lead existing multi-stakeholder collaborations and support different projects with a pilot character

Translation of business needs into public policy strategies with the objective to position the company as key player in the Swiss health care environment

Point of Contact (POC) for regional and global functions in Vaccines (primarily Policy and Market Access)

Inform, train and advise internally on dynamics, trends and challenges in the health policy environment

Elaboration of stakeholder management strategies; build, strengthen and sustain strategically important relationships with key stakeholders and foster new networks

Alignment und Input on overarching cross-sectional health policy positions

Representation of the company at internal and external platforms (e.g. Task Force Prevention & Early Diagnosis)

Responsible for the allocated budget

Foster a positive and inclusive teamwork spirit among internal colleagues by contributing to a workplace culture in line with company values and principles

Qualification and Requirements

University degree (Master level) in political science, law, public health, natural sciences or degree in another relevant field

Significant experience related to public health, public relations, health policy, governmental function or related environment

Excellent understanding of the Swiss health and political system and of legal processes as well as an existing network in the Swiss health care and political environment

Existing network in the Swiss health care environment

Demonstrated ability to establish and manage strong partnerships and collaborations with various stakeholders as well as advise senior leadership and executives

Act as an effective leader and demonstrated ability to take responsibility of key organizational issues and anticipate them

Demonstrate supervisory skills and have the ability to lead and guide cross functional teams towards realizing the organization\\xe2\\x80\\x99s goals

Proven ability to analyze complex issues and to summarize quintessence

Project management and moderation skills

Social skills: build and expand trust-based relationships with various stakeholders

Solution-oriented & creative

Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in cross-functional agile teams

Communication skills tailored for target-specific groups

Expertise with managing multiple projects at the same time

Experience in working and advising senior management level and executives

Excellent communication in German and English (written and verbal), French is an asset

Ability to prepare talking points and concise briefing memos

Diplomacy, professional discretion and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment

Our Human Health Division maintains a \\xe2\\x80\\x9cpatient first, profits later\\xe2\\x80\\x9d ideology. The organization is comprised of sales, marketing, market access, digital analytics and commercial professionals who are passionate about their role in bringing our medicines to our customers worldwide.

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 established in Zurich, aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of many of our company\\xe2\\x80\\x99s medicines and vaccines, which supports our mission to save and improve lives around the world.

We are proud to be certified as a \\xe2\\x80\\x9cTop Employer Switzerland\\xe2\\x80\\x9d and \\xe2\\x80\\x9cTop Employer Europe\\xe2\\x80\\x9d showing the company\\xe2\\x80\\x99s commitment to our employees and the community around us.

+CITYBAY, LUCERNE

The Switzerland Head Office of our company\\xe2\\x80\\x99s Swiss Subsidiary is based in Lucerne\\\'s city center. Located in the heart of the city, employees work collaboratively across many departments including commercial, market access, medical affairs, clinical research, regulatory affairs, and policy & communications.

Current Employees apply

Current Contingent Workers apply

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: No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Specified

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A\\n \\n \\n \\n \\n \\n

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