Hybrid Associate Director, Patient Affordability Programs

Merck & Co.; North Wales (Montgomery County); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in the United States seeks an Associate Director, Patient Affordability Solutions to shape and run patient affordability programs such as copay, savings cards, and free-drug offerings.

You will manage vendors, performance, and program launch readiness while partnering with brand, hub, and compliance teams to ensure compliant, launch-ready solutions within the Patient Engagement landscape. You will design programs, define KPIs, track outcomes, and optimize service delivery to reduce

Qualifications

• 5+ years in biopharma patient services, hub operations, or specialty pharmacy operations management.
• Designing and operationalizing affordability programs with vendor management, rules, launch readiness, and performance optimization.
• Collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders across brand, access, legal, compliance, finance, vendors, and patient support teams.
• Understanding affordability barriers, including cost-related drop-off and access delays.
• Experience with affordability program models such as copay, bridge, free-drug, voucher, eligibility, and reimbursement support.
• Experience leading and developing teams, including hiring, performance management, and talent development.

Responsibilities

• Assess and select affordability vendors, including evaluation, program setup, contracting, and ongoing performance management.
• Coordinate with Hub Operations and Brand patient support leads to ensure a consistent E2E experience within Patient Engagement.
• Design affordability programs and offerings including eligibility criteria, program duration, limits, rules, and patient support.
• Define readiness, including workflow requirements, SOPs, vendor testing, and handoffs prior to launch.
• Define performance management with KPIs, dashboards, enrollment, eligibility verification, and free-drug shipment monitoring.
• Monitor program execution, vendor performance, patient outcomes, and affordability-related drop-off.
• Identify gaps and optimize programs to improve access and persistence.

Skills

Adaptability

Business Performance Management

Collaboration

Creativity

Data Analysis

Data Management

Digital Marketing Analytics

Engagement Strategies

Government Programs

Healthcare Policies

Health Economics Research

Interpersonal Relationships

Liaison Work

Market Access

Market Research

Multidisciplinary Teamwork

Operations Management

Outcomes Research

Partner Relationship Management

Patient Assistance

Patient Care

Patient Engagement

Patient Management

Patient Referrals

Education

BA/BS

Job description

Merck & Co. in the United States seeks an Associate Director, Patient Affordability Solutions to shape and run patient affordability programs such as copay, savings cards, and free-drug offerings.

You will manage vendors, performance, and program launch readiness while partnering with brand, hub, and compliance teams to ensure compliant, launch-ready solutions within the Patient Engagement landscape. You will design programs, define KPIs, track outcomes, and optimize service delivery to reduce