Associate Director, US Oncology Access Policy (OCAR)

Job Description

The Associate Director, US Oncology Access Policy is a critical commercial role responsible for translating an increasingly complex US policy environment into actionable strategies that protect and advance access, pricing sustainability, and long-term portfolio value. As federal and state policy continue to reshape oncology economics, this role serves as a key integrator connecting policy insights to business decisions, influencing strategy, and driving coordinated enterprise responses across the US Oncology franchise.

Reporting to the Director, US Oncology Access Policy, the Associate Director will own defined policy areas, such as state Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDABs) and 340B, leading end-to-end strategy and execution in those areas in partnership with cross-functional teams. They will also work closely with the Director on certain broader areas such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

This role will work closely with different functions across the business including Federal Policy, State Government Affairs, Integrated Account Management, Global Market Access, Marketing, Finance, Legal, and HEOR/Value & Evidence. The successful candidate should possess strong collaboration skills and a team-oriented mindset to partner across the organization, as well as strong commercial acumen to represent the oncology business to other functions.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• IRA:

  • Lead the end-to-end development and strategic positioning of Section I, one of the most critical elements of our IRA submission, ensuring alignment across V&I, Medical, and IAM while shaping the narrative for external review.

  • Interpret and evaluate evolving program guidance  as the price negotiation initiative matures, and translate implications into strategic recommendations to our long-term strategy and forecast. 

  • Serve as the policy team liaison to lifecycle management workstreams occurring across the US and Global commercial teams. Ensure consistent awareness, understanding, and application of IRA assumptions to inform scenario plans and financial modeling exercises.

• PDABs:

  • Lead responses to state PDAB affordability reviews of our Company's Oncology products, in partnership with Policy and V&I.

  • Work with IAM team to develop PDAB Playbook to ensure consistent thinking and response to state affordability reviews.

  • Evaluate potential upper payment limit (UPL) scenarios and drive cross-functional alignment on mitigation strategies.

• 340B:

  • Monitor landscape trends and performance data across identified top accounts to assess impact to business.

  • Analyze 340B policy and market evolution, including contract pharmacy dynamics, site-of-care shifts, and potential rebate models to assess business impact and inform strategic response.

  • Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to align enterprise perspectives and integrate 340B considerations into broader access and pricing strategies.

• Portfolio Support:

  • Partner with OCAR New Products team to assess impact of 340B evolutions to future strategy for pipeline assets.

  • Bring policy updates to the broader organization to build understanding of potential implications to the business over time.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree

• 5 years' experience of demonstrated ability to identify strategic priorities, work within a matrix organization to bring together different internal stakeholders, and manage projects forward to resolution and action.

• Ability and desire to work collaboratively and inclusively.

• Strong business and strategic acumen to connect policy changes to internal and stakeholder impact and adjust strategy accordingly.

• Independent mindset and willingness to own decisions.

• Experience managing vendors and budgets.

• Strong communicator with ability to clearly articulate complex messages to varied audiences.

• Active listener and experienced presenter with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Master's or other advanced degree

• Prior management/strategy consulting experience.

• Understanding of buy and bill market dynamics.

• Understanding of relevant drug pricing metrics (ASP, BP, 340B) and connection to broader policy/market access landscape.

• Experience with business operations processes and planning such as financial forecasts, budget, etc.

Position location: Upper Gwynedd, PA (hybrid) OR Remote (USA)

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Business Acumen, Buy-and-Bill Process, Collaboration, Financial Analysis, Health Economics, Market Access, Market Research, Oncology, Oncology Marketing, Pricing Strategies, Project Management, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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The salary range for this role is

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

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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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

06/4/2026

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