Specialty, Pharma, & Infectious Diseases Competitive Intelligence Team Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Job summary

MSD in Rahway, NJ seeks a Senior Competitive Intelligence Leader to oversee a high‑performing CI team delivering insights to R&D, Human Health, BD, and the Enterprise.

You will partner with senior leaders, shape strategic plans, and ensure timely, ethical communication of insights to influence portfolio and development decisions.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in biotech/pharma with strong people management.
• Strong scientific understanding across therapeutic areas.
• Broad knowledge of global pharma/biotech with drug discovery insight.
• Excellent stakeholder management and senior leadership influence.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders to align CI priorities with business objectives.
• Develop strategic CI plans and communicate insights to inform portfolio decisions.
• Lead and develop Competitive Intelligence Leads to achieve results.
• Sponsor enterprise CI initiatives and evaluate new tools/technologies.

Skills

Competitive Intelligence

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Stakeholder Management

Drug Development Knowledge

Education

MBA

MS/MD/PhD

Job description

Job Description

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.

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:

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

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

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.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

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.

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:

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