Merck & Co, Inc

Assoc. Dir , Strategic Forecasting

Merck & Co, Inc$156K — $247K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Undergraduate degree in a related discipline that is essential for this role.
  • Minimum 5+ years delivering complex analytical projects within the pharmaceutical or biotech sector.
  • Proven experience with forecast models and analytics like scenario analysis and business case development.
  • Demonstrated capacity to lead cross-functional teams with empathy and compassion.
  • Self-motivated with the ability to operate independently while managing ambiguity effectively.
  • Strong problem-solving abilities with a keen understanding of analytical methods and data-driven insights.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills vital for stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with the Strategic Forecasting Insights Director to determine suitable forecasting methodologies.
  • Partner with various teams to develop insights strategies necessary for strategic forecasting.
  • Create and deliver forecasts that align with the company's enterprise forecasting process.
  • Support stakeholder understanding of actual performance against forecasts and identify driving factors.
  • Align closely with Marketing and Finance to ensure input/output accuracy in forecasting insights.
  • Utilize diverse forecasting capabilities to support business strategy and decision-making.
  • Facilitate communication regarding the forecasting process and ensure alignment among stakeholders.

Benefits

  • Flexible hybrid work arrangements allowing for a blend of remote and in-office work.
  • Growth culture emphasizing continuous learning and development opportunities.
  • Robust cross-functional collaboration, providing opportunities to influence and engage across multiple departments.
  • Exposure to diverse therapeutic areas, enhancing industry experience and expertise.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Associate Director, Strategic Forecasting

The Associate Director, Strategic Forecasting, will be responsible for developing strategic forecasts for a set of products and indications, interpreting their implications, generating insights, and communicating them to the business to support execution of the marketing strategy. The individual in this role will work extremely closely with other DHH functions, including Market Research, Data Science, and Payer Analytics to build a strong perspective on the market and asset situation and thus the inputs to the strategic forecast. She/he will also work very closely across a range of commercial stakeholders, including Global and Regional Marketing, Market Access, and Finance. The individual will be an independent contributor but will partner very closely with other forecasting colleagues in a matrixed structure to develop and deliver forecasting insights. She/he will act as a core point of contact regarding the development of the product and indication forecasts and forecast-related insights.

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of and experience across a range of forecasting methodologies, as well as a strong understanding of their respective business area (oncology, pharma, or vaccines). They will have demonstrated the ability to quarterback highly cross-functional teams across forecasting, market research, and data science, and shown an aptitude for partnering closely with business and finance teams. They will also have an entrepreneurial spirit, consultative mindset, and strong understanding of the available data landscape and sources of insight. This person will help scope, design, and deliver well-defined forecasting projects (including periodic forecasting cycles) and insights.

This role will require interfacing and collaborating with many teams. The candidate will have demonstrated consistently strong leadership skills, as well as the ability to work independently. The person will be required to have a growth mindset and embody a culture of continuous learning. Strong communication skills are essential for a candidate to be successful in this role.

Primary Responsibilities:
  • Working closely with with Strategic Forecasting Insights Director, determine appropriate forecast modeling approaches, tools, and techniques for your respective asset(s) and/or indication(s).
  • Partner closely with Marketing Engagement, Market Research, Data Science, Payer Analytics, and other DHH functions on a continual basis to develop appropriate insights strategies and plans to have the necessary inputs for strategic forecasting.
  • Develop and deliver the forecasts and forecasting insights for the forecasting cycles aligned with our company's enterprise forecasting process, working closely across a matrixed team including both US and India-based colleagues.
  • Support ongoing understanding of and engagement with the business regarding actual performance against forecast, including what is driving it.
  • Engage closely with the business (Marketing, Market Access) and Finance in aligning on inputs, outputs, and the overall forecasting insights for each cycle.
  • Bring a range of forecasting capabilities in addressing business strategy and decision-making.
  • Partner closely with others in a highly matrixed organization, including across large teams, ensuring we always operate as One Team.
  • Drive frequent, clear communication around the forecasting process, inputs, insights, and other related topics to ensure your business and DHH partner stakeholders are aligned.
  • Enable interconnected problem-solving with other DHH functional colleagues and business colleagues around targeted business questions.
  • Be a thought leader and strategic partner for our business partners via the establishment of close, trust-based relationships.
  • Understand business stakeholders' priorities and help develop strategic forecasting-related solutions that support business objectives in collaboration with the broader commercial insight teams.
  • Travel may be required (


Education Minimum Requirements:
  • Undergraduate degree in a related discipline required


Required Experience and Skills:
  • Minimum of 5+ years of relevant delivery of complex analytical projects in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry using market research and/or large patient or physician databases.
  • Experience in developing forecast models and/or related analytics (e.g., scenario analysis, business case development, etc.)
  • Experience working in highly cross-functional, matrixed teams. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and lead with empathy and compassion.
  • Experience leading diverse groups of work colleagues and positively managing ambiguity.
  • Self-motivated, proactive, ability to work independently and collaborate seamlessly. Lead without authority.
  • Ability to understand business process and break down business questions into specific, tangible hypotheses and requirements to guide analysis. Excellent problem-solving skills with an appreciation for data oriented analytical methods.
  • Ability to operate in an unstructured environment and have strong organizational skills to create structure and clarity. Ability to prioritize work efficiently and effectively to get things done.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.


Preferred Experience and Skills:
  • Therapeutic area experience (for the respective TA of oncology, vaccines, or pharma/rare).
  • Advanced forecasting experience, including developing different types of models (patient-based, trend-based, etc.), developing advanced scenarios and simulations, and deeply understanding the nuances of modeling for the respective TA
  • Consultative business partner experience (either within a company or as a consultant)
  • Prior experience in functions that this person will be partnering closely with, including Marketing, Market Access, Finance, Market Research, Data Science, or Payer Analytics.


Position location: Upper Gwynedd, PA

Required Skills:
Business Analysis, Business Case Development, Business Partnerships, Business Processes, Business Strategies, Digital Analytics, Immunotherapy, Market Access, Marketing, Marketing Strategies, Market Research, Numerical Analysis, Oncology, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Forecasting, Strategic Planning, Trusted Advisor Relationships, Waterfall Model

Preferred Skills:

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
06/10/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

About Merck & Co, Inc

Schering-Plough Corporation is a major U.S.-based manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. It operates in three segments: Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Consumer Health Care. Schering-Plough develops products targeting on allergy, cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory system, and more.  It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. Schering-Plough manufactured several pharmaceutical drugs, the most well-known of which were the allergy drugs Claritin and Clarinex, an anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin, and a brain tumor drug Temodar. It also developed drugs targeting on central nervous system and the respiratory system. Schering Plough also owned and operated the major foot care brand name Dr. Scholl's and the skin care line Coppertone. These also became a part of the new company. Schering-Plough was a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a membership which is also maintained by the new Merck.

Merck & Co, Inc Careers

Join the visionary team at Merck & Co, Inc, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing the world of medicine. As part of our professional community, you'll find dynamic job opportunities that foster innovation and leadership across various fields. Merck & Co, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can make a difference.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck & Co, Inc, we are committed to improving global health through groundbreaking research and innovative healthcare solutions. Our team is at the forefront of developing new therapies and vaccines that significantly impact public health worldwide. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to contribute to projects that save and improve lives around the globe.

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Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a professional position, Merck & Co, Inc offers a range of career paths in environments that promote rapid professional growth and development. Explore job opportunities in research, digital transformation, manufacturing, and more, all while benefiting from a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

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Merck & Co, Inc is an ideal environment for those who lead with curiosity and the drive to innovate. Our leadership is committed to fostering a culture where inventive thinking and collaboration are encouraged, making it a perfect place for professionals who seek to make an impact through their work.

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With Merck & Co, Inc, you are not just getting a job; you're gaining access to unparalleled career development opportunities. Enhance your skills through diverse training programs, workshops, and continuous learning courses designed to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Benefits and Culture

We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family. From comprehensive health care coverage and retirement plans to flexible working conditions and wellness programs, our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members.

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Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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