Assoc Dir , Data Science

Merck; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 157,000 - 247,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck seeks an Associate Director, US Marketing Engagement - HIV Prep, to translate complex data into actionable insights shaping brand strategy, launch readiness, and performance measurement. You will partner with US HIV Prep Marketing to frame questions, prioritize analytics, and deliver concise, decision-focused readouts.

The role requires strong healthcare data fluency, cross-functional leadership, and experience with HIV Prep dynamics to guide strategy and execution across functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in statistics, data science, epidemiology, health economics, business analytics, life sciences, engineering, or related quantitative discipline.
• 5+ years in pharma/healthcare analytics with commercial insight responsibility.
• Experience using secondary healthcare data to answer strategic marketing questions.
• Strong problem structuring, analytics, cross-functional leadership, and executive communication.

Responsibilities

• Partner with US HIV Prep Marketing to define questions, priorities, and insights plan.
• Lead analyses on patient journey, market map, Prep dynamics, switching, adherence, and segmentation.
• Develop launch and KPI frameworks, dashboards, and readouts linking execution to outcomes.
• Integrate diverse data sources and communicate assumptions clearly.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Market Research, Forecasting, Market Access, Data Strategy, Analytics, Finance, and global teams.
• Translate findings into executive narratives and guidance for internal/external analytics partners.

Skills

Strategic analytics

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Healthcare data fluency

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in quantitative discipline

Master's degree or PhD in analytics/health sciences

Tools

SQL

Python

R

SAS

Power BI

Job description

Job Description

Role Summary:

The Associate Director, US Marketing Engagement - HIV Prep will serve as a strategic analytics and insights partner to US HIV Prep Marketing. The role will translate complex patient, prescriber, market, access, and performance data into clear business insights that strengthen brand strategy, launch readiness, execution, and measurement. The successful candidate will combine strong healthcare data fluency, cross-functional leadership, and an understanding of HIV Prep dynamics.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Partner with US HIV Prep Marketing leaders to define key business questions, analytical priorities, success measures, and an integrated insights plan aligned with brand and portfolio objectives.
• Lead patient journey, market map, Prep dynamics, source-of-business, switching, adherence, persistence, HCP/account opportunity, segmentation, and early-adopter analyses.
• Develop launch and in-market KPI frameworks, tracking plans, dashboards, and decision-focused readouts that connect execution to business outcomes.
• Integrate patient, HCP, account, payer, geography, channel, and performance data into a coherent fact base, clearly communicating assumptions and limitations.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Market Research, Forecasting, Market Access, Data Strategy, Advanced Analytics, Finance, field-facing partners, and global teams.
• Translate analytical findings into concise executive narratives, recommendations, and actions; guide internal and external analytics partners and assure quality.

Data and Database Experience:

Hands-on familiarity with healthcare data and the judgment to match the right source to the business question are important. Relevant experience includes several of the following:

• IQVIA eLAAD or comparable longitudinal patient-level claims data, including cohort construction, Prep regimens, adherence, persistence, switching, and source-of-business analyses.
• Komodo Healthcare Map / Komodo claims or comparable open and closed claims assets for patient journey, HCP/HCO, referral, site-of-care, and longitudinal market analyses.
• IQVIA Xponent, DDD, NPA, NSP, PlanTrak, or similar prescription and subnational sales datasets for market sizing, trends, geographic analysis, HCP-level performance, and launch tracking.
• APLD, EMR, laboratory, payer, formulary, affiliation, specialty pharmacy, hub, consumer, media, and promotional datasets, as relevant.
• Data integration across patient, HCP, HCO, payer, product, geography, and campaign sources, with understanding linkage constraints, projection methodologies, refresh cadence, and data lag.
• SQL and large relational or cloud-based datasets; proficiency with Python, R, SAS, Databricks, Snowflake, Power BI, or Tableau is strongly valued.

HIV Prep Analytics Focus:

• People living with HIV population sizing, diagnosed and treated patient flows, Prep-naive and Prep-experienced cohorts, regimen dynamics, and unmet need.
• HCP and account opportunity assessment, prescribing behavior, patient mix, adoption, switching pathways, and segmentation activation.
• Launch readiness and performance tracking, including target population reach, adoption, persistence, and competitive dynamics.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in statistics, data science, epidemiology, health economics, business analytics, life sciences, engineering, or a related quantitative discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, consulting, or healthcare-data analytics, with responsibility for commercial insights or marketing analytics
• Demonstrated experience using secondary healthcare data to answer strategic marketing questions and influence decisions
• Strong problem structuring, analytical interpretation, cross-functional leadership, stakeholder management, and executive communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in statistics, data science, epidemiology, health economics, public health, life sciences, business analytics, or a related quantitative discipline is desired.
• Experience applying AI, ML, and Generative AI capabilities to commercial pharmaceutical data, market engagement, omnichannel analytics, patient journey, access, or healthcare provider insights is strongly preferred
• Direct HIV Prep experience is desired; infectious disease, specialty medicine, or relevant launch experience is also valued.
• Deep experience with eLAAD, Komodo, Xponent, and related IQVIA datasets, including combining patient-level and prescription or sales data for a unified market view.
• Experience with launch analytics, patient journey, segmentation, market mapping, forecasting inputs, KPI design, digital measurement, and advanced analytics.

Leadership Capabilities:

• Strategic partner who connects analytics to brand and portfolio decisions.
• Enterprise collaborator who aligns functions and reduces fragmentation.
• Analytical translator who converts technical work into concise business recommendations.
• Quality and change leader who advances scalable, reproducible, and modern analytical practices.

Measures of Success:

• Marketing decisions are supported by a timely, trusted, and transparent analytical fact base.
• HIV Prep data and insights priorities are aligned to brand objectives.
• Analytical deliverables produce specific actions, not only descriptive reporting.
• Foundational datasets, definitions, and methods are consistent, documented, and reusable.

Required Skills:

Analytical Reports, Analytical Reports, Base SAS, Business Alignment, Business Analysis, Business Decisions, Business Intelligence (BI), Dashboard Development, Data Analysis, Database Design, Database Queries, Data Engineering, Data Modeling, Data Science, Data Visualization, Executive Leadership, Machine Learning (ML), Partner Relationship Management (PRM), Performance Dashboards, Problem Identification, Report Analysis, Software Development, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Analysis {+ 4 more}

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights_10_20.pdf)

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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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)

The salary range for this role is

$156,900.00 - $247,000.00

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 .

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

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

10/12/2026

***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:

R418880