Director, Science and Regulatory Policy Europe

The Science and Regulatory Policy (SRP) team advocates for policy priorities that support the pipeline and portfolio for Research & Development and our company’s business goals, developing wider support for our causes and maintaining a strong reputation as a science-led biopharmaceutical innovative leader.  We work in partnership with all of the R&D divisions to define and implement a prioritised policy and advocacy plan that advances business goals.

Our team is expanding hence we are recruiting for a Director, Science and Regulatory Policy Europe to be based in Moorgate, London as a primary location. Other locations in Europe, such as Spain and Portugal, will be considered.

• The successful candidate will perform the role from their respective country.
• Travel for this role is approximately 30% of the time.
• We operate on a hybrid working policy across our company locations.

The Science Regulatory Policy team comprises of four contributing teams:

• Global Regulatory Policy (SRP)
• Data & Advanced Digital Technology Policy (DADTP)
• Evidence Policy, and
• Clinical Research Policy.

What you will do in this role:

• Develop and deliver strategic leadership for policy priorities to support our pipeline and portfolio
• Advocate for and anticipate policy change that affects our research and development activities worldwide and innovation environment
• Advise and provide insights for our research and development senior leadership on critical developments in the global policy environment that impact our pipeline and portfolio
• Take leadership for coordinating and aligning policy development and activity across research and  development, with  focus on the Development and Regulatory organisations
• Leadership for strategy and coordination of R&D External Policy relationships to meet priorities
• Building our company’s share of voice and influence extramurally to support the company enterprise policy agenda

You will:

• Shape and influence European science, evidence, and data/digital policy agendas to proactively enable R&D productivity, scientific leadership, and competitive pipeline advancement
• Drive early translation of emerging policy, legislative, and regulatory developments into decision‑ready insights, risks, and strategic options for pipeline, portfolio, evidence generation, and access
• Set and advance company policy priorities on European science, evidence, data governance, and advanced digital technologies, ensuring alignment with R&D scientific strategy and enterprise innovation objectives
• Lead the development and execution of coordinated company policy positions and advocacy strategies on European legislative and regulatory initiatives, mobilising cross‑functional alignment to shape outcomes
• Provide strategic leadership on European data and advanced digital technology policy , including data integrity, privacy, security, AI/ML, digital health, and cloud‑enabled collaboration, to accelerate science and scale innovation
• Build and leverage strategic relationships with European and globally influential policymakers, regulators, research institutions, and multilateral organisations to anticipate inflection points and influence policy direction
• Position the company as a science‑led industry leader by representing our company in external policy forums, industry associations, and professional settings
• Deliver forward‑looking policy analyses and executive briefings that inform senior R&D and company leadership on strategic choices, trade‑offs, and actions

What you need:

Required qualifications, experience and skills:

• University Degree is required, preferably in science, health care, public health or health policy; may be accompanied by a master’s degree in science, health care, public health, health policy, or law
• Substantial experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, regulatory, or science policy environments
• Proven experience in developing and articulating science‑based policy positions, white papers, comment letters, and briefing materials for senior leadership and external stakeholders
• Experience engaging in global science policy environments, including US and European legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks
• Experience advising senior leaders on science policy implications, risk, and strategic positioning

Preferred:

• Postgraduate degree in science policy, health policy, or law
• Skilled with AI, Data and Real World Evidence.
• Broad understanding of pharmaceutical R&D, including clinical development, evidence generation, or innovative development approaches
• Demonstrated leadership or active participation in industry trade associations, scientific societies, or multi‑stakeholder policy initiatives
• Experience in working in the field of pharmaceutical/biotechnology development

Competencies/Skills

• Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills with superb written and oral and
• communication skills
• Strong interpersonal, writing, and communication skills with ability to demonstrate analytic thinking, excellent presentation, and negotiation skills
• Ability to thrive in a cross-functional team environment with a global mindset
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken)
• Data savvy with an eye for detail

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Detail-Oriented, Regulatory Experience, Regulatory Law, Regulatory Policies, Regulatory Strategy Development, Science, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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.