Executive Director, National Sales Leader, Ophthalmology
Quick Summary
Lead, recruit, onboard, train, develop, and retain a large and high-performing sales organization in a competitive sales environment,
EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives,
Our US Ophthalmology team is dedicated to improving the lives of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) through a pipeline of two investigational therapies. We pursue this mission through patient focus, innovation, expanded access to transformative treatments, and collaboration with healthcare systems, governments, and payers. Grounded in scientific rigor and flawless execution, we aim to bring breakthrough therapies to the patients who need them most.
Reporting to the US Ophthalmology Franchise Lead and serving as a member of the US Ophthalmology Leadership Team, the National Sales Leader will set strategy and operational plans, lead the field sales teams, and partner closely with Marketing, Market Access, Account Management, Field Reimbursement, Sales Operations, Learning Development, Training, and other stakeholders to deliver sustainable commercial growth and superior customer engagement.
Responsibilities
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Lead, recruit, onboard, train, develop, and retain a large and high-performing sales organization in a competitive sales environment, including district sales managers and customer team representatives.
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Drive insight gathering and stakeholder mapping activities, including appropriate disease state education before product approval
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Drive product launch readiness and commercial growth, partnering with cross-functional teams to optimize product positioning, omnichannel engagement, and field execution.
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Translate corporate and brand strategies into operational objectives, KPIs, and execution plans; track progress and refine plans to meet targets.
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Establish clear performance standards, set Sales Incentives Plans, conduct regular reviews, coach managers, and provide succession planning and professional development.
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Build an inclusive culture that values collaboration, accountability, patient-centricity, and ethical conduct.
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Serve as a core member of the Ophthalmology Leadership Team to drive integrated strategies and executions.
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Ensure robust operational support for the sales team to optimize execution, including systems, data visibility, ongoing upskilling, AI capabilities, and other tools that can optimize sales execution.
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Engage key stakeholders in Retina market as the National Sales Leader
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Partner closely with Field Reimbursement and Account Management teams in line with compliance standards.
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Manage operating expense budgets, ensure compliant activity, and drive disciplined, fact-based decision making across the team.
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In addition to leading sales managers, the National Sales Leader will also be leading a small team of Commercial Operations that optimize training pull through and coordinate field operational activities across sales, field access and account management such as communication planning, meeting planning, and operational capabilities.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Life Sciences, or related field required
Advanced degree preferred
Minimum 12 years combined experience in pharmaceutical/biotech sales, sales leadership, and commercial operational roles.
Strong knowledge of US healthcare dynamics, including access/reimbursement considerations.
Track record of building and developing high-performing teams; strengths in strategic agility, business acumen, decision quality, driving results, managerial courage, and building effective teams.
At least 5 years leading national or regional sales teams.
High standards of work ethics
Nice to Have
~1 min readDeep experience in Ophthalmology, particularly Retina, including proven success in competitive markets and product launches.
Experience partnering with Field Reimbursement and Account Management teams in complex specialty markets.
Strong business acumen, leveraging data analytics to identify business opportunities to improve execution
Demonstrated ability to collaborate closely with key stakeholders including marketing, market access, field reimbursement, account management, and medical
Inspirational leader who sets and communicates vision and motivates teams towards common goals
Excellent communication skills and executive presence
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
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The salary range for this role is
$255,800.00 - $402,700.00This 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.
Requirements
~1 min readLocation & Eligibility
Listing Details
- Posted
- September 18, 2026
- First seen
- October 1, 2026
- Last seen
- October 2, 2026
Posting Health
- Days active
- 0
- Repost count
- 0
- Trust Level
- 19%
- Scored at
- October 2, 2026
Signal breakdown
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