Associate Director, Patient Support Program Strategy, US Oncology, Intismeran Marketing

Merck; Olympia (WA); Remote; USD 157,000 - 247,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Job summary

Merck seeks a seasoned leader to drive the U.S. Oncology Patient Support and Affordability programs, shaping patient access and services for a potential mRNA-based neoantigen therapy.

You will build enrollment, consent, and data strategies, define hub operations, and oversee vendor partnerships to ensure a patient-centric launch readiness. The role requires 5+ years in pharma with patient services and affordability experience, plus strong cross-functional collaboration across Market Access,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in pharmaceutical/biotechnology with patient services, access, affordability or hub strategy experience.
• Experience designing, implementing and optimizing patient support programs and hub services.
• Strong understanding of payer dynamics, affordability programs, and patient enrollment requirements.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve PSP strategy, service model, benefits investigation, prior authorization support, and affordability services.
• Design patient enrollment and multi-consent processes for participation in services programs and data collection.
• Define hub brand-specific rules, workflows, and escalation pathways for therapy patient journeys.
• Develop and oversee affordability strategy, copay structures, and financial assistance solutions.
• Partner with centers of excellence and vendors to translate strategy into operational execution.
• Support vendor selection and oversee hub and affordability partner performance and governance.
• Establish performance measures and reporting to optimize program effectiveness and patient outcomes.
• Collaborate with Market Access, Finance, Legal, Privacy, Compliance, and Tech teams for compliant readiness and execution.

Skills

Program strategy

Cross-functional leadership

Patient engagement

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (BA/BS)

MBA or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

The U.S. Oncology business within our company is a growing and dynamic organization committed to advancing innovative therapies for patients with cancer. We have an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic commercial team as we prepare for the potential U.S. launch of an mRNA-based individualized neoantigen therapy for early-stage melanoma, being developed through an alliance partnership. This novel product has the potential to redefine personalized cancer treatment and requires a highly coordinated operating model to support seamless therapy delivery across a complex treatment ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

• Patient Support Program Strategy: Define and evolve the Patient Support Program (PSP) strategy, service model, and capabilities, including benefits investigation, case management, prior authorization support, affordability services, and patient support workflows.
• Enrollment, Consent & Data Strategy: Design patient enrollment and multi-consent process that support participation in patient services programs, data collection, patient engagement, and treatment initiation.
• Hub strategy & Governance: Define brand-specific hub business rules, workflows, service requirements, and escalation pathways to ensure patient support capabilities are aligned to the unique needs of the therapy and patient journey.
• Affordability Strategy & Program Management: Develop and oversee the affordability strategy, copay program structure, and financial assistance solutions to reduce affordability-related barriers to treatment.
• Program Implementation : Partner with Patient Access Support Center of Excellence and vendors to translate program strategy into operational execution, ensuring services, workflows, and support capabilities reflect intended patient experience and business objectives.
• Vendor Strategy & Performance Management: Support vendor selection and oversee hub and affordability partner performance, establishing service expectations, performance metrics, governance processes, and continuous improvement plans.
• Program Analytics & Optimization: Establish performance measures and reporting requirements, leveraging patient and operational insights to identify barriers, optimize program effectiveness, and improve patient outcomes over time.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Launch Readiness: Partner with Market Access, Patient Access Support Operations, Finance, Legal, Privacy, Compliance, Data & Technology teams to ensure compliant implementation, operational readiness, and successful execution of patient support and affordability programs.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent (BA/BS)
• MBA or equivalent preferred

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, with experience spanning patient services, patient access, reimbursement support, affordability programs, or hub strategy
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and optimizing patient support programs, hub services, affordability solutions, or patient access capabilities
• Strong understanding of the patient support and access landscape, including hub service models, payer dynamics, buy-and-bill reimbursement, medical benefit coverage, benefits investigation and verification, prior authorization, appeals, and patient enrollment requirements.
• Strong understanding of affordability program design, including copay program structures, financial assistance solutions, patient eligibility criteria, annual benefit limits, cost-share considerations, and program governance.
• Experience developing enrollment, consent, and patient data strategies, including programs involving patient support participation, privacy requirements, protected health information (PHI), and complex data management considerations.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, resolve complex operational challenges, and translate strategy into execution.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence decisions and build alignment across a complex matrix organization.
• Preferred Skills
• Experience supporting the commercialization or launch of advanced therapies, including cell therapy, gene therapy, radioligand therapy, individualized therapies, or other complex treatment modalities.
• Experience working directly with pharmaceutical hub vendors, patient support providers, specialty pharmacies, reimbursement support organizations, or affordability vendors.
• Deep understanding of oncology patient journeys, reimbursement pathways, specialty distribution models, and advanced therapy treatment ecosystems.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Campaign Management, Channel Management, Channel Partners, Clinical Outcomes, Customer Acquisition Strategy, Customer Insights, Customer Marketing, Data Analysis, Direct Marketing, Engagement Marketing, Exploratory Analysis, External Partners, Informed Consent, Market Development, Marketing Channels, Marketing Program Management, Market Research, Media Strategies, Metrics Development, Oncology, Patient Assistance, Patient Engagement, Patient Support {+ 9 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld)

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$4020.htmld)

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:

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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 .

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.

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

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:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Remote

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

10/16/2026

***A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the dayBEFORE 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:

R415140