Associate Director, Vaccines Business Lead - Gulf Markets

Job Description

Position Overview

This position reports directly to the Vaccines Business Unit Director and is responsible for all vaccine business across the Gulf markets (UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain & Oman).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Leadership:

• Lead Vaccines Business in Gulf markets through strong financial performance and operational excellence
• Develop and execute market-specific strategies for public sector tenders and private sector opportunities
• Navigate diverse regulatory environments and healthcare systems across the five Gulf countries

Tender Management Excellence:

• Lead public sector sales strategy across UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain & Oman
• Manage government tender processes, including bid preparation, pricing strategies, and stakeholder engagement
• Build and maintain relationships with Ministry of Health officials, procurement committees, and key decision-makers

Stakeholder Management:

• Liaise with key opinion leaders, physicians, and target groups across all markets
• Maintain relationships with government officials, procurement teams, and healthcare administrators
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams locally and regionally

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, recruit, and develop high-performing vaccine teams across multiple markets
• Provide coaching and support for team development plans
• Foster collaboration culture between team members and internal stakeholders

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required (Advanced degree preferred)
• Minimum 7-10 years in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, or business development
• Proven experience in Gulf markets with understanding of diverse healthcare systems
• Experience in both public sector tenders and private market development preferred
• Vaccines Experience is preferred

Core Competencies:

• Multi-Market Expertise: Deep understanding of Gulf healthcare systems, regulatory environments, and market dynamics
• Public Sector Acumen: Experience with government tender processes, procurement procedures, and stakeholder management
• Collaboration: Strong collaboration skills within organization and cross-divisional teams
• Communication: Ability to articulate messages across diverse cultural and professional contexts
• Results Focus: Driven, results-oriented thinking with high performance standards

Language & Cultural Requirements:

• Fluency in English required
• Arabic language skills preferred
• Ability to travel frequently across the five Gulf markets

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.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Business Management, Market Access, Marketing Management, People Management, Policy Management, Public Sector Management, Sales Management, Strategic Thinking, Tender Management, Vaccine Management

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

09/13/2025

• 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.
  

Requisition ID:R362559