Remote Associate Director, Thought Leader Marketing

Merck; Juneau (AK); Remote; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States seeks a Thought Leader Marketing Liaison (Associate Director) to align advocacy, speaker programs, and congress engagement with brand objectives in IBD.

The role reports to the Director, Thought Leader Liaison Team Leader, and drives insights from KOLs into go-to-market strategies. You will manage SL/KOL engagements across the US, develop a US IBD Speaker Bureau, ensure compliant activities, collaborate cross-functionally, and travel up to 60%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5–8 years in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, or field medical engagement.
• Minimum 5 years as a Thought Leader Liaison or Regional Marketing strongly preferred
• At least 3 years of IBD experience strongly preferred with existing KOL networks in IBD
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining scientific relationships in a highly regulated environment.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Proven ability to synthesize insights into strategic recommendations.
• Travel up to 60% (including weekends and evenings for congresses and advisory meetings).

Responsibilities

• Identify and map national and regional scientific leaders (SLs), clinical leaders, and emerging experts across the US IBD landscape.
• Develop and assess advocacy of key opinion leaders around scientific messages, product positioning, and medical education content.
• Execute engagements with SLs including congress participation, site visits, and HQ-approved activities.
• Gather actionable insights from SLs to inform marketing strategies and brand planning.
• Provide real-time insights from KOLs on approved topics.
• Execute engagement plans with key thought leaders throughout the US and support development of approved educational content.
• Collaborate with marketing team to determine participation and level of support in key IBD conferences.
• Secure engagement meetings and congress execution between HQ and KOLs.
• Help identify and manage a US IBD Speaker Bureau, including onboarding and training to approved content.
• Ensure speaker advocacy aligns with messages and supports speaker readiness for educational engagements.
• Collaborate with field roles per company policy to ensure SL needs are met.
• Ensure strict adherence to compliance regulations and internal policies.

Skills

KOL management

Thought Leader Liaison

Sales & marketing

Strategic planning

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA/MS/PharmD preferred

Job description

Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States seeks a Thought Leader Marketing Liaison (Associate Director) to align advocacy, speaker programs, and congress engagement with brand objectives in IBD.

The role reports to the Director, Thought Leader Liaison Team Leader, and drives insights from KOLs into go-to-market strategies. You will manage SL/KOL engagements across the US, develop a US IBD Speaker Bureau, ensure compliant activities, collaborate cross-functionally, and travel up to 60%.