Merck & Co, Inc

Dir., MRL Strategy

Merck & Co, Inc • $173K — $272K *
Rahway, NJ 07065In-Person
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in a relevant scientific discipline or MD from a top ranked program
  • 4+ years of strategy management consulting experience from a top-tier firm (e.g., BCG, McKinsey)
  • Minimum of 7+ years of biopharmaceutical experience with deep R&D focus
  • Experience managing teams and external vendors
  • Advanced problem-solving capability with strong analytical skills

Responsibilities

  • Partner with leaders to identify strategic imperatives for R&D
  • Lead framing and assessment of initiatives with executive collaboration
  • Develop data-driven fact bases for leadership decision-making
  • Analyze R&D portfolio for resource allocation and prioritization
  • Identify capability gaps through cross-functional expertise
  • Engage external partners to gather insights and perspectives
  • Facilitate implementation of strategic ideas and initiatives

Benefits

  • Hybrid flexible work arrangements
  • Encouragement of a psychologically safe and inclusive environment
  • Opportunities for mentorship and direct team leadership
  • Access to cross-functional collaboration
  • Support for driving cultural engagement within teams
Full Job Description
Position Description

The person in this role will support strategy development by leading the assessment and design of our Company's Research & Development division strategy priorities, tackling complex and often ambiguous questions that have significant upside for our company. They will work with senior leaders and our ESO team to identify and frame priority topics; conduct rigorous assessments to inform leadership decision-making; develop, refine and lead strategic initiatives across our Company's Research & Development division; and help evolve and establish capabilities to maximize the success of our company.

This individual will collaborate cross-functionally with leaders and colleagues across our Company and will be a critical partner in the areas they support. They will be charged with solving problems, driving value, and building a coalition of support that is needed for the creation and adoption of change. This individual will foster a psychologically safe, and inclusive environment by leading teams both directly and indirectly and mentoring special assignment partners.

Primary Responsibilities:
  • Partner with ESO colleagues and our Company's Research & Development division leaders to identify high-value strategic imperatives
  • Lead the framing, assessment, and recommendation of key initiatives, in collaboration with executive leaders across the company
  • Develop fact-bases using internal and external datasets to support leadership decision-making
  • Interrogate a deep and broad R&D portfolio to aid in resource allocation, prioritization and maximization of patient impact
  • Bring to bear experience in R&D (discovery, translational sciences, development, regulatory), commercialization, data/digital, and other areas to identify capability gaps and ways to evolve
  • Solicit external, outside-in perspectives by sourcing information and interacting with external partners (e.g., consultants, analysts, venture capital, other innovation-focused industries, etc.)
  • Contribute new ideas and priorities, leveraging experience from other areas and/or companies
  • Lead internal and external teams to drive ideas from conception to implementation
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to support implementation and deliver on key objectives
  • Drive cultural engagement with and inclusive teams


Position Qualifications:

Education and Industry Experience Requirement:
  • PhD in a relevant scientific discipline or MD from a top ranked program
  • 4+ years of strategy management consulting experience from a top-tier firm (e.g., BCG, McKinsey, LEK)
  • Minimum of 7+ years of biopharmaceutical experience across roles, with deep experience in R&D, including strong innovation and/or data/digital/AI/tech focus
  • Experience managing teams as well as external vendors


Required Skills:
  • Advanced degree with demonstrated capability across roles and functions
  • Problem solving and insight generation - ability to frame and conceptualize complex, ambiguous questions and drive towards clear, substantiated answers relevant to the questions at hand
  • Strong analytical skills with ability to efficiently source and interrogate different types of data to deliver relevant, high-quality insights
  • Strong communicator with excellent verbal and written skills; ability to communicate effectively with senior management and across all levels of the business
  • Demonstrated leadership qualities with the ability to empathize, listen, and enable colleagues to thrive
  • Ability to influence decision-making in a matrixed organization and lead without direct authority
  • Strong business acumen, with ability to build consensus
  • Ability to prioritize time and problem solve to focus on most impactful activities / initiatives
  • High EQ. Growth mindset. Curious. Motivated. Team-oriented. Organized. Coachable.


Location: Rahway, NJ preferred with the potential opportunity for placement in Boston, MA.

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Analytical Tools, Biopharmaceutics, Data-Driven Decision Making, Decision Making, Developing Proposals, Inclusive Leadership, Influencing Skills, Market Research, Pharmaceutical Industry, Prioritization, Results-Oriented, Strategic Initiative, Strategic Management, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, Strategy Development, Strategy Execution

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:
08/7/2026
*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.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Engage with us through our careers blog and by participating in networking events and employment fairs. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and the latest news tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Merck & Co, Inc. Join us in our mission to improve health and wellness around the world.
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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