Merck & Co, Inc

Associate Director, US Oncology Marketing — Lung Scientific Strategy Lead

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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical/biotech marketing or closely related role.
  • High emotional intelligence; adept at team leadership and collaboration.
  • Proactive self-starter with a focus on results and minimal supervision.
  • Strong project management skills; able to manage multiple initiatives and meet deadlines.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to create executable plans from long-term strategies.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development of scientific strategy aligned with brand goals.
  • Develop and execute scientific leader engagement and congress planning.
  • Monitor treatment landscape and clinical trials for strategic relevance.
  • Collaborate to create counter-competitive strategies with HCP leads.
  • Lead medical education initiatives with scientific narratives.
  • Engage with scientific leaders for insights on key data via advisory boards.
  • Facilitate resource prioritization among internal stakeholders.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and families.
  • Retirement benefits including 401(k) plan options.
  • Paid holidays and vacation days, along with sick and compassionate leave.
  • Access to annual bonuses and long-term incentive programs.
Full Job Description

Job Description

The Associate Director, US Oncology Marketing 6 Lung Scientific Strategy Lead is a high-visibility, high-impact commercial leader responsible for shaping and executing growth-driving initiatives across the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) portfolio. This role will lead scientific strategy workstreams supporting inline medication across both early-stage and metastatic indications and will also lead scientific strategy workstreams to support an anticipated new asset launch.

You will combine strategic rigor with flawless execution: building clear plans, operationalizing them, and driving measurable outcomes. Success requires exceptional stakeholder management, the ability to influence at all levels, and the judgement to balance bold thinking with compliance and scientific integrity.

The ideal candidate brings strong leadership presence, relentless drive, and a collaborative mindset grounded in humility. You are equally comfortable leading teams and working independently, you hold yourself to high standards, and you continuously seek to elevate your impact and skills.

This role is a pivotal commercial development opportunity: you will lead priority initiatives at scale, gain broad exposure across global and cross-functional stakeholders, and be prepared to step into expanded commercial leadership roles in the future.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead and manage the development of scientific strategy in alignment with brand strategy.
  • Develop and execute robust scientific leader engagement strategy, congress planning and booth execution in alignment with brand goals.
  • Monitor the evolving treatment landscape, with a strong understanding of ongoing clinical trials and competitive scientific activities to inform strategy and execution choices.
  • Partner with metastatic HCP strategy lead to develop a comprehensive counter-competitive strategy and execution plan.
  • Lead the medical education efforts in collaboration with cross-functional teams and pull through the scientific narrative into medical education programs.
  • Partner with Medical Affairs on advisory boards to gain scientific leader (SL) perspectives on key data and planning engagements with SLs during/after key scientific congresses.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to prioritize and facilitate internal resource trade-offs (e.g. budget planning, promotional reviews, etc.).
  • Embed scientific strategy perspective into HCP strategy, execution, resource, and training opportunities.

Required Experience and Skills:

  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Minimum of 5 years of pharmaceutical/ biotech experience in a marketing or related commercial role.
  • High emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership: adept at leading cross-functional teams, mentoring colleagues, and adapting style 6knowing when to lead, coach, or support to maximize team performance.
  • Proven self-starter with a hands-on, results-driven approach: proactively identifies opportunities, removes barriers, and delivers outcomes with minimal supervision.
  • Strong program and project management capability: track record of managing multiple concurrent initiatives, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and consistently delivering high-quality results on time and within scope.
  • Strategic thinker with operational discipline: translates long-term strategy into executable plans while maintaining rigorous attention to detail and measurable KPIs.
  • Comfortable operating in high-visibility environments: performs effectively under pressure, embraces stretch assignments, and navigates changing priorities with resilience.
  • Exceptional communicator and active listener: persuasive presenter with polished written and verbal communication skills tailored to audiences.
  • Rapid learner with the ability to simplify complexity: quickly assimilates technical or scientific information and distills it into clear, actionable messages.
  • Strong analytical orientation: uses data and market insights to drive decisions; demonstrated success competing in high-intensity pharmaceutical/biotech markets.
  • Influential collaborator and negotiator: builds strong internal and external relationships, navigates stakeholder dynamics, and secures alignment and commitment across functions.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

  • Advanced degree (Masters Business Administration/MBA/PharmD).
  • Oncology experience.
  • US Market experience in Marketing/Commercial roles.

Required Skills:

Collaboration, Data Analytics, Market Access, Marketing, Market Research, Oncology Marketing, Results-Oriented, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

The salary range for this role is

$156,900.00 - $247,000.00

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 employees 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.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

Job Posting End Date:

09/3/2026

*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.

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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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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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
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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