Associate Director, Global Access Insights

Merck; Upper Gwynedd Township (Montgomery County); Hybrid; USD 157,000 - 247,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Merck is seeking a Senior Associate Director for Global Access Insights in Vaccines & Infectious Disease. You will partner with global teams to shape research plans, translate insights into actionable narratives, and apply advanced analytics to inform pricing and reimbursement decisions across regions.

The role emphasizes cross-functional leadership, data-driven decision support, and the use of AI-enabled methods. Hybrid work arrangements apply with on-site requirements in key locations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of market research and insights experience in pharma/biotech.
• 3+ years in market access; global experience preferred.
• Experience in vaccines or infectious diseases.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated research and analytics plans to inform global access strategies.
• Deliver actionable insights to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Apply AI and external data sources to market access use cases.
• Support ex-US predictive models for pricing and reimbursement.

Skills

Market access analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision support

Advanced analytics

Payer environment knowledge

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or Master’s degree (Public Health, Health Economics, Pharmacy, Business, Statistics, Policy)

Tools

Navlin

AI tools

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Global Access Insights Associate Director in Vaccines & Infectious Disease to join our Market Access Insights & Forecasting organization. This role sits at the intersection of market access strategy, analytics, and research, supporting data-driven decision-making to inform global access, pricing, and reimbursement strategies. The successful candidate will support the design and delivery of integrated market access insights across the VaxID portfolio, leveraging capabilities including market research, advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and external data sources (e.g., Navlin). This role is aligned with our access insights framework, contributing insights across descriptive, comparative, predictive, and technology-enabled domains to support evidence generation and access strategy development. The Associate Director, Vaccines & Infectious Disease Global Access Insights, will demonstrate a proactive mindset, a strong understanding of the evolving US and global healthcare landscape, and expertise in the payer environment. The position requires strong analytical thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate data into clear, actionable recommendations for stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnership & Insight Leadership
  • Partner with global market access and pricing teams to help identify and frame key business questions
  • Support the development of integrated research and analytics plans to inform global access strategies
  • Deliver actionable insights and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders
  • Translate insights into clear, stakeholder-ready narratives and materials
  • Strong understanding of primary market research methodologies and their use in generating actionable insights
• Data Integration & Advanced Analytics
  • Apply emerging technologies, including large language models and agentic AI, to relevant market access use cases
  • Integrate primary market research, secondary data, and external data sources
  • Contribute to ex-US predictive models for pricing, access, and reimbursement scenarios
  • Ensure scalability and reuse of insights
• Execution of Global Access Insights Framework
  • Descriptive: Explain current access performance
  • Comparative: Benchmark strategies and competitors
  • Predictive: Model future access outcomes
  • Technology: Enable real-time insight delivery

Required Education

• Undergraduate degree in related discipline required
• MBA or Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Economics, Pharmacy, Business, Statistics, Policy, or a related field preferred

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience delivering market research and insight projects in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, including at least 3 years of experience in market access (global experience preferred)
• 2+ years in vaccines, infectious disease or related therapeutic area experience. Experience could be from a similar role at a pharmaceuticals firm or at a management consulting firm.
• Strong understanding of the global pharma landscape and commercial analytics capabilities (market research, forecasting, data driven analytics, advanced analytics, etc.)
• Strong understanding of vaccines & infectious disease access dynamics (US, EU, CN, JP)
• Experience working cross-functionally and influencing stakeholders
• Strong communication, presentation and leadership skills
• Ability to understand business process and break down business questions into specific, tangible hypotheses and requirements to guide analysis. Excellent problem-solving skills with an appreciation for data oriented analytical methods.
• Ability to operate in an unstructured environment and have strong organizational skills to create structure and clarity. Excellent organizational skills, with ability to navigate a complex matrix environment and organize/prioritize work efficiently and effectively

Preferred Experience

• Experience in applying AI to business problems
• Experience with Navlin or similar market access data platforms
• Background in consulting or analytics

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Data-driven decision support
• Clear communication
• Collaboration and stakeholder management
• Agility and problem solving

Work Environment & Travel

• Ideal candidate should have the flexibility to be on site 3 days a week in Upper Gwynedd, PA, Rahway, NJ,
• Travel up to approximately 20% (primarily domestic)

Required Skills

Business Analysis, Commercial Analytics, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Emerging Technologies, Global Market, Health Economics, Infectious Disease, Market Access, Marketing, Market Research, Market Strategy, Public Health, Public Health Research, Reimbursement, Researching, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Supplier Management, User Research, Waterfall Model

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 if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

Requirements

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 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, 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.

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

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Requisition ID

R404308

Salary Range

$156,900.00 - $247,000.00

Benefits

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.

Annual Bonus and Long-term Incentive

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.