Mercer | Pharmacy Strategy Summer Intern - Chicago - College Program 2026

Southern Arkansas University; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 27,552 - 34,440; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Supportive leaders

Inclusive culture

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Chicago is seeking a Strategy Intern for its Pharmacy practice. The role involves collaborating with financial teams, analyzing data, and assisting in various projects related to pharmacy benefit management. Applicants should be current students, pursuing a bachelor's degree with strong analytical skills and a flair for communication. This is a hybrid role, requiring three days in the office per week, and offers a vibrant, inclusive culture for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled student with expected graduation Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.
• Legal work authorization in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Strong academic achievement and ability to balance extracurricular activities.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze pharmacy claims and utilization data.
• Assist in the Request For Proposal (RFP) process.
• Help prepare and write client communications such as reports and presentations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Progress toward a bachelor's degree

Job description

Mercer | Pharmacy Strategy Summer Intern - Chicago - College Program 2026

We are seeking a talented individual to join Mercer’s Pharmacy practice (MercerRx) as a Strategy Intern. This role will be based in Chicago, IL. This is a hybrid role that has a requirement of working at least three days a week in the office.

MercerRx is one of Mercer’s fastest growing specialty practices. The MercerRx team offers comprehensive pharmacy consulting support to Mercer’s clients, including vendor management, clinical oversight, and strategic guidance to optimize pharmacy benefits. They provide ongoing monitoring of financial performance, assist with clinical program recommendations, and deliver educational updates on market trends and new therapies to ensure effective pharmacy management. The team brings deep knowledge and perspective from backgrounds in Pharma, PBM, Retail and Specialty pharmacy, and health plans and is made up of over 100 colleagues, including pharmacists, strategic consultants and actuaries. This internship will focus on supporting the various financial projects related to pharmacy benefit management (PBM) for clients. The role involves working closely with other MercerRx financial team members, analyzing financial data, and providing recommendations to optimize client's pharmacy benefit programs.

Mercer is uniquely qualified to help organizations design and execute sophisticated workforce strategies, whether it’s for a multinational organization or a local company attempting to grow within its market. We provide best-in-class consulting, rigorous analytics, and data-driven insights that help organizations make fact-based decisions.

Mercer’s 2,500+ US Health consultants deliver disciplined, consistent approaches to benchmarking, data analytics, financial management, marketing, compliance and communication. Our client focus, integrity, expertise, and innovation are why clients choose Mercer. We are committed to setting the industry standard for ethical and transparent business practices.

• Collection and analysis of pharmacy claims and utilization data
• Assist in the Request For Proposal (RFP) process on behalf of a clients
• Assist in the development of client deliverables for multiple of MercerRx’s solutions
• Coordinate with team members on projects, ask questions and seek guidance to ensure that all work is completed accurately and within the agreed-upon timeline
• Help prepare and write client communications, including reports, spreadsheets and presentations

What you need to have:

• Progress toward a bachelor's degreeand concentration(s) in business, math, statistics, economics, health policy, community health or related liberal arts major is preferred
• Status as a currently enrolled student; candidates should have an expected graduation date in the Fall of 2026 or Spring 2027
• Strong academic achievement demonstrated through rigorous course work, and the ability to successfully balance extra-curricular activities
• Legal work authorization to work in the U.S. on a permanent and ongoing basis without the need for sponsorship now or in the future is required

What makes you stand out?

• Strong analytical skills, both quantitative and qualitative, and working knowledge of Microsoft Office— specifically Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of data analysis, project management, and presentation design
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Intellectual curiosity; seeking opportunities to develop new skills and apply critical thinking to solve problems
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams and communicate with others in a skillful and engaging manner
• Flexibility to work under tight deadlines and adapt to changing client needs
• Superior organizational skills and strong attention to detail

Why join our team:

• We help you be your best through professional development opportunities, interesting work and supportive leaders.
• We foster a vibrant and inclusive culture where you can work with talented colleagues to create new solutions and have impact for colleagues, clients and communities.
• Our scale enables us to provide a range of career opportunities, as well as benefits and rewards to enhance your well-being.

What’s next:

Application Instructions:

• Required Documents: To be considered for this role, please submit a resume.
• Application Details: When filling out your application, ensure you provide your permanent home address and use your personal email address rather than your school email address.
• Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted by October 24, 2025.
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• If selected, first-round interviews consist of an on-demand digital video interview through the Phenom platform.
• Further timing and instructions will be provided at that time.