Specialty, Pharma, & Infectious Diseases Competitive Intelligence Team Lead

MSD Malaysia; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 256,000 - 403,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck's Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases Competitive Intelligence Team Lead in Rahway, NJ, seeks a seasoned leader to guide CI professionals delivering actionable insights to inform R&D, Human Health, business development, and enterprise priorities. You will build relationships with senior leaders, develop strategic plans, and coach a high-performing team while ensuring quality, compliance, and ethics.

The role offers hybrid work with in-office days and remote days.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in biotech/pharma with strong people management.
• Broad understanding of global pharma/biotech and drug discovery/development.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to work with senior management.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: align CI priorities with business objectives and communicate insights to stakeholders.
• People Leadership: coach, develop, and build a high-performing CI team.
• Operational Excellence: ensure quality, compliance, and ethical conduct across CI activities.
• Enterprise Leadership: drive global CI initiatives and evaluate new tools/technologies.

Skills

Competitive Intelligence (CI)

Business Development

Drug Development

Influence

Innovation

Leadership

Mentoring Staff

Strategic Thinking

Education

MBA/MS/MD/PhD or equivalent

Job description

Job Description The Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases Competitive Intelligence Team Lead

The Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases Competitive Intelligence Team Lead is responsible for overseeing a team of Competitive Intelligence (CI) professionals who deliver actionable insights, strategic assessments, and competitive intelligence to inform key business decisions across our Research and Development Division (R&D), Human Health, Business Development, and the broader Enterprise. This leader serves as a trusted strategic partner to senior stakeholders, providing external perspectives, competitive insights, and strategic recommendations that support portfolio investments, product development, commercialization strategies, business development evaluations, and Enterprise priorities. The role is accountable for attracting, developing, and leading a high-performing team while ensuring all competitive intelligence activities are conducted in accordance with corporate policies, legal requirements, and ethical standards.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across R&D and Human Health to understand intelligence needs and align team priorities with business objectives. Develop and communicate strategic plans, priorities, and workstreams that support key pipeline, commercial, and business development decisions. Ensure timely, objective communication of insights and recommendations to stakeholders.
• People Leadership Lead and develop a team of Competitive Intelligence Leads, providing coaching, feedback, and growth opportunities. Set clear expectations, drive accountability, and foster a high-performing, collaborative culture. Help team members navigate change and adapt to evolving business priorities.
• Operational Excellence Prioritize resources against the highest-value business opportunities and strategic questions. Maintain high standards for quality, compliance, and ethical conduct across all competitive intelligence activities.
• Enterprise Leadership Sponsor and guide Global Competitive Intelligence initiatives, including process improvements, capability development, and evaluation of new tools and technologies. Lead cross-therapeutic area and enterprise-wide strategic assessments that enhance organizational decision‑making and competitive readiness.

Education Minimum Requirement:

Advanced degree (MBA, MS, MD, PhD, or equivalent) required.

Required Experience and Skills:

15+ years of experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry, with strong people management experience. Strong scientific understanding of a range of therapeutic areas. Broad understanding of global pharmaceutical and biotech industries, with in-depth knowledge of drug discovery and development processes. Superior stakeholder management skills and ability to work as an expert team player. Demonstrated leadership, influencing skills, creativity, problem‑solving abilities, and ability to manage complexity. Ability to build and manage collaborative relationships, particularly with senior management.

Location/Commute:

We offer a hybrid work model (combination of in-office 3 days & offsite/remote 2 days). This position cannot be 100% remote. Based in Rahway, Upper Gwynedd, PA, or West Point, PA.

Required Skills:

Business Development, Competitive Intelligence (CI), Drug Development, Influence, Innovation, Leadership, Mentoring Staff, Strategic Thinking

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

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: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement.

Company Culture:

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.

Salary & Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $255,800.00 - $402,700.00. 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. An employee will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Benefits:

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.

Employee Status & Work Details:

Employee Status: Regular Relocation: Domestic VISA Sponsorship: No Travel Requirements: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: 1st - Day Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date:

09/18/2026

Company Overview:

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.