Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs
Midrand - South Africa
Job Summary
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the Regulatory Affairs team providing clear direction and people management.
- Develop and execute regulatory strategies to secure timely approvals and maintain optimal product positioning.
- Ensure timely submission approval and lifecycle management of marketing authorisations including new applications variations renewals and major indications.
- Provide strategic regulatory guidance to support product development launches business development and market access initiatives.
- Maintain compliance with local regulatory requirements company policies and quality standards.
- Monitor and communicate regulatory intelligence legislative changes and emerging regulatory trends.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with health authorities industry associations and key external stakeholders.
- Represent Regulatory Affairs in inspections audits and cross-functional business initiatives.
- Support clinical trials safety reporting labelling promotional review and other regulatory compliance activities.
- Drive regulatory policy engagement and advocacy activities to shape the external regulatory environment.
- Collaborate closely with regional global and local stakeholders to achieve business objectives and accelerate patient access to medicines.
- Ensure effective implementation of regulatory systems databases procedures and training programme.
- Manages coaches and develops talent. Maintain scientific knowledge and expertise for our companys therapeutic areas.
- Establishes a regular system of communication of the department to update information on the status of main activities and mainly to share experiences discuss strategies and put in common lessons to be learned.
- Administers the departmental budget.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelors degree in Pharmacy (required).
- Minimum 6 years experience in Regulatory Affairs or a related pharmaceutical regulatory function including direct engagement with regulatory authorities.
- Demonstrated and significant experience working with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is essential.
- Experience across Sub-Saharan Africa will be advantageous.
- Sound knowledge of South African pharmaceutical legislation regulations and regulatory guidelines.
- Minimum 3 years experience in people leadership and team management.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent planning organisational and project management capabilities.
- High attention to detail and commitment to quality and compliance.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively under pressure.
- Strong stakeholder management negotiation and influencing skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead coach and coordinate teams in a cross-functional environment.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into business solutions.
Required Skills:
Adaptability Cross-Functional Teamwork Data Management People Management Pharmacovigilance Policy Implementation Regulatory Compliance Regulatory Operations Regulatory Policies Regulatory Submissions Strategic Thinking TeamworkPreferred Skills:
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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:
RegularRelocation:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
10/5/2026*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