Associate Director, Payer Marketing

Merck; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck seeks an Associate Director, US Pharma Payer Marketing - Immunology to drive payer access strategies for US launch products. You will collaborate with Brand Marketing, IAM, Medical Affairs and Policy to convert insights into payer execution plans.

The role requires 5+ years in account management, market access, or related fields, with strong leadership, strategic thinking, and knowledge of US payer dynamics. Travel up to 25% is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in account management, market access, marketing, sales leadership, or consulting in the healthcare industry.
• Demonstrated understanding of healthcare ecosystem and payer segments in the US.
• Experience translating strategy into execution and guiding customer-facing teams.
• Strong collaboration and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Develop customer segment strategies and promotional initiatives for US payer segments.
• Lead engagement with Integrated Account Management and account directors.
• Collaborate with promotions teams and Learning & Development to train customer-facing staff.
• Lead payer segmentation, targeting, and KPI implementation.
• Contribute to value evidence strategies and ensure alignment with brand plans.
• Support successful launches with optimal payer and provider experiences.

Skills

Account Management

Market Access

Brand Marketing

Payer Marketing

Strategic Planning

Relationship Building

Communication Skills

Project Management

Leadership

Negotiation

Education

BA/BS Degree

Pharm D

Job description

Job Description

Associate Director, US Pharma Payer Marketing - Immunology

Our company is dedicated to delivering innovations that extend and improve the lives of patients worldwide. Our team of dauntless, forward-thinking individuals achieves this through an unwavering commitment to supporting accessibility to medicine, providing new therapeutic options, and collaborating with governments and payers to ensure that people who need medicines have access to them. At our company, our focus is on innovation and launch execution excellence; we translate breakthrough science into innovative medicines that help people around the globe.

It is an exciting time to join our company's Immunology team as we aspire to become the trusted leader in delivering novel solutions to transform the standard of care for Immune-Mediated Diseases. The Immunology portfolio is a top corporate priority for our company and will be a key growth driver for the US Market and our company.

We are currently recruiting for an Associate Director, US Pharma Payer Marketing - Immunology. This new position will be responsible for the development of US market access and payer engagement strategies and tactics for our company’s Immunology launch products. This role will require robust engagement with key stakeholders including Brand Marketing, Integrated Account Management (IAM), Medical Affairs and Policy to incorporate market/customer insights in the development of payer customer execution strategies.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop customer segment strategies and promotional initiatives for US payer customer segments (health plan, PBM, Medicaid, federal, pharmacy, IDN/Health Systems) to achieve market access goals
• Lead coordination and engagement efforts with members of the Integrated Account Management organization, including point team and customer-facing account executives and account directors
• Partner with the assigned promotions manager(s) to develop resources and communications
• Partner with Learning & Development in the planning and development of training plans and resources for customer-facing teams
• Lead payer segmentation and targeting activities, execution planning, and KPI implementation / monitoring
• Active participation in the development of value evidence strategies
• Ensure optimized channel strategy and appropriate integration with brand strategies
• Serve as an integral member of the cross functional teams preparing for successful launches with optimal payer and provider experiences

Education

Required: BA/BS Degree

Preferred: Pharm D, MPH, MBA or other advanced degree

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum of (5) years’ experience in account management, market access, marketing, sales leadership, or consulting in the healthcare industry
• Demonstrated understanding of the mechanics and economics of the healthcare ecosystem, including influences across various payer segments
• Demonstrated understanding of US healthcare trends and policy issues and their potential impact upon our company's business opportunities
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into execution and provide clear guidance to the customer-facing teams
• Ability to learn quickly and to assess a variety of scenarios, strategically and operationally
• Strong collaboration, project management and organizational skills; ability to prioritize activities and manage deliverables across a portfolio within deadlines
• Demonstrated success in establishing, developing and maintaining business relationships
• Ability to translate market trends and customer needs into customer resources or tactics
• Excellent leadership and communication skills

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Account Management experience
• Contracting strategy development and/or contract negotiation experience
• Product launch or launch planning experience
• Knowledge of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR)
• Marketing and promotions development expertise

Location: Upper Gwynedd PA, with Hybrid work model (3 days per week onsite) Remote will be considered with expectations of travel (up to 25%)

Required Skills

Account Management, Adaptability, Agile Principles, Brand Marketing, Business Relationship Building, Contracting Strategies, Contract Negotiations, Creativity, Customer Insights, Financial Analysis, Market Access, Marketing, Marketing Management, Market Research, Market Trends, Payer Marketing, Pricing Strategies, Product Management, Project Execution Plan, Promotions Management, Sales Support, Stakeholder Influence, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, Strategy Execution

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.

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

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Remote

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

10/7/2026

***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

R395121