Merck & Co, Inc

Associate Director, Data Strategy, Foundational Data

Merck & Co, Inc • $156K — $247K *
North Wales, PA 19454Hybrid
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant field such as Data Science or Public Health.
  • 5+ years experience in analytical projects within pharma/biotech using patient/physician databases.
  • Strong grasp of leveraging healthcare data for commercial decisions.
  • Proven capability in assessing data asset commercial value.
  • Ability to effectively collaborate with various stakeholders.
  • Intellectual curiosity for innovative data solutions.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

  • Maintain knowledge of commercial data landscape including various data assets.
  • Partner with stakeholders to onboard and enable data successfully.
  • Scan for new data assets and partnerships.
  • Conduct data needs assessments and identify strategy gaps.
  • Create plans to acquire new data assets and fill gaps.
  • Collaborate with teams to review external data sources.
  • Conduct analytics on data quality and potential use cases.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work arrangements for flexibility.
  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams.
  • Opportunity to lead and mentor a team.
  • Engagement with critical business decisions in healthcare.
  • Involvement in innovative and strategic data projects.
Full Job Description
Job Description

This role will reside within our human health division US DSPI team for Across Brand Data Strategy. This team operates as part of the US commercial team, providing strategic thought-partnership to US commercial stakeholders through understanding brand strategy and developing data strategy based on the business strategy. The incumbent is responsible for supporting a human health division in having an industry-leading strategy and approach to sourcing & creating commercial data assets to inform business critical decisions and actions. Under direction of the Data Strategy & Innovation Leader, the incumbent will be assigned to create & implement the divisional data asset strategy & innovation agenda, as assigned, for foundational data. Foundational data includes but is not limited to claims, customer and subnational sales data.

The individual in this role will be an independent contributor as well as lead a team, supporting all commercial Data Strategy needs for US marketing teams. The preferred candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit, understanding of healthcare & technology (AI, agentic etc). The candidate will need to comprehend the nuances of different product lines and possess strong expertise in the Life Science commercial space. They will have demonstrated consistently strong leadership skills, an ability to work objectively and deal well with ambiguity and strong partnership skills. They will empower a growth mindset and inspire a culture of continual learning. This role will require interfacing and collaborating with many teams requiring strong communication skills.

Responsibilities
  • Actively maintain an understanding of the divisional commercial data landscape, including assigned 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party data assets, spanning HCP, consumer, payer, patient, account, etc.
  • Partner with various stakeholders and vendors to successfully onboard and enable data.
  • Continually scan the external environment for new valuable data assets and potential data partnerships in the assigned area.
  • Conduct data needs assessments in assigned areas using input from key analytics and business stakeholders, identify gaps in current data strategy versus ideal state, and prioritize identified gaps.
  • Build and execute plans to fill prioritized data gaps, including acquisition of new assets from external sources, identifying partners to create needed assets, or enacting internal initiatives such as gathering new 1st party assets.
  • Partner with internal teams to ingest/review external data sources for use by the analytic teams.
  • Conduct data innovation analytics including data quality assessments, fit-for-purpose analyses, and proof-of-concept use case tests.
  • Work in close collaboration with the analytics and master data management teams to ensure appropriate data implementation, use, and value realization.
  • Form and maintain productive working partnerships with assigned data providers.
  • Create an environment of high-performance collaboration by building strong cross-functional teams.


Qualifications

Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Data science, Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Statistics, Decision Science, Marketing, Engineering, or Public Health.
  • Minimum of five or more (5+) years of relevant delivery of complex analytical projects in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry using large patient or physician databases; facility with understanding and appropriately leveraging healthcare data and insights to inform business decisions
  • Strong business acumen with a keen ability to understand how data (HCP, consumer, payer, patient, account, engagement, etc.) can be leveraged to inform critical commercial decisions and actions.
  • Proven ability to analyze and assess the commercial value of data assets.
  • Strong business acumen necessary to understand business stakeholders' (marketing, sales, account management, operations, etc.) needs.
  • Proven potential to effectively collaborate with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Intellectual curiosity and ability to identify innovative approaches to addressing data needs.
  • Excellent presentation, analytics, and communication skills, both written and oral, are required to synthesize key issues and communicate/persuade constituencies towards specific actions and initiatives.
  • Ability to attain "trusted advisor" status with key stakeholders and business clients.
  • Ability to operate in a dynamic, transforming environment.


Preferred
  • MBA, MS, or PhD degree.
  • Prior hands-on experience working with healthcare data.


Required Skills:
Business Acumen, Business Analysis, Data Science, Demand Management, Innovation, Requirements Management, Sourcing and Procurement, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
No relocation

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:
07/11/2026
*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.

Explore Career Paths

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.

Innovate and Lead

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.

Develop Your Skills

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.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career at Merck & Co, Inc? Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that's dedicated to making a difference.

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

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