Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa
Midrand - South Africa
Job Summary
Job Description
Role Overview
The Managing Director (MD) leads the Companys operations across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Cluster with full accountability for commercial performance strategy people leadership and compliance. The MD represents the Company to government healthcare institutions and key stakeholders to protect reputation drive growth and ensure sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Set and execute the Cluster commercial strategy aligned with the Companys global vision and values.
- Identify growth opportunities optimize resource allocation and lead business plans marketing and multi-channel initiatives in full compliance.
- Align with cluster regional and global leaders; ensure SSA interests are reflected at divisional level.
- Monitor competition and shape market strategies accordingly.
- External Engagement & Market Access
- Act as the Companys principal representative with ministries regulators payers and advocacy groups.
- Build strategic relationships and coalitions; navigate pricing reimbursement and access to ensure patient availability of the Companys portfolio.
- Tailor solutions to stakeholder needs across the healthcare ecosystem.
- Collaborate with regional and global teams on NGO engagement initiatives.
- Operational & Financial Management
- Own P&L financial planning cost control and performance tracking.
- Ensure legal regulatory and SOP compliance; drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.
- Oversee regulatory pharmacovigilance clinical safety and promotional activities per local laws.
- Implement systems to monitor productivity and outcomes; propose corrective actions to strengthen growth and profitability.
- People Leadership & Culture
- Lead and develop high-performing cross-functional teams; guide dotted-line functions to maximize impact.
- Foster accountability collaboration learning DE&I and agility; champion performance and succession processes.
- Risk Compliance Ethics
- Establish robust risk assessment mitigation business continuity and crisis response.
- Monitor regulatory changes; ensure timely reporting of adverse events and quality issues.
- Maintain ethical standards; monitor compliance address non-compliance and drive audit recommendations and quality controls.
- Report actions that may risk fair competition or product promotion compliance.
Qualifications
- Education: Minimum of a Bachelors degree in an appropriate discipline.
- Experience: 1520 years industry experience including leadership roles in marketing and sales; strong market access expertise; deep knowledge of healthcare regulations; proven leadership and development of leaders.
- Capabilities:
- Strategic agility and change leadership
- Superior Stakeholder management and negotiation skills
- Financial acumen and sustainable growth focus
- Exceptional communication
- Integrity aligned with the Companys values
- Language: Fluency in English; local languages advantageous.
Required Skills:
Business Development Business Performance Reporting Decision Making Financial Acumen Human Resource Management Manufacturing Processes Market Development Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) People Leadership Pharmaceutical Industry Product Management Profit and Loss (P&L) Management Results-Oriented Sales Operations Strategic Planning Strategic Thinking Team ManagementPreferred Skills:
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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:
RegularRelocation:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
05/6/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more