Director, R&D Strategy and Competitive Intelligence (Billerica MA)

Merck Group$200K — $301K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD/MD/PharmD or equivalent in a scientific discipline preferred, MBA or business degree is a plus.
  • Experience in pharmaceutical, life sciences, R&D, or consulting with exposure to senior stakeholder engagement.
  • Ability to convert complex scientific concepts into executive-level presentations and visuals.

Responsibilities

  • Translates dense scientific content into coherent board-level narratives and visually engaging presentations.
  • Creates reusable templates and partners with experts for scientific accuracy and clarity.
  • Delivers competitive intelligence summaries for informed decision-making in R&D.

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off (PTO)
  • Retirement contributions
  • Sales or performance-based bonuses
  • Other perquisites.
Full Job Description
Your Role:

As part of the extended Strategy, Portfolio Management and Hubs LT, the Director, R&D Strategy Development, R&D Competitive Intelligence & Communication serves as a strategic partner responsible for translating complex scientific and R&D information into clear, compelling, board-ready strategy narratives and executive presentations including but not limited to the Research and Development Committee.

Combines scientific depth, consulting-style problem solving, competitive intelligence capability and advanced storytelling and presentation creation skills to support R&D strategy, Business Development (BD) discussions and senior leadership decision making.

Uses AI-enabled tools to accelerate competitive landscape checks, synthesize dense information, generate storyboards and drives rapid creation of polished executive-ready content.

Key accountabilities include:
  • Translating dense scientific content into coherent Board and senior-executive storylines; developing visually engaging slide decks, infographics, timelines, schematics and data visuals; managing timelines, feedback cycles and version control across multiple projects; and preparing speaker notes, pacing and presentation flow where required.
  • Creating reusable and branded templates; partnering with relevant experts and leaders across the Healthcare organization, including but not limited to researchers, scientists, Business Development, Global Program Heads, Program Management Lead, program teams and communications specialists to ensure scientific accuracy and strategic clarity
  • Create CI Summaries for Research and Development in collaboration with Commercial CI leveraging AI and deliver insights for informed decision making. Deliver key insights for R&D program planning in preparation for decision points.


Financial Dimension:
  • No direct P&L responsibility identified; indirect financial impact through improved quality and speed of R&D and BD decision support, competitive intelligence synthesis, governance materials and executive communication.
  • Drive insights for program business case development and analytics


Strategic Impact:
  • Enable senior leaders and governance bodies to enhance R&D and BD decision-making by converting scientific complexity, competitive context and strategic implications into crisp, actionable narratives.
  • Strengthen enterprise-level communication of R&D strategy, innovation, portfolio opportunities and external partnership logic through consistent, high-quality executive presentations.
  • Improve organizational speed and consistency by building reusable visual assets, slide templates and AI-enabled approaches for recurring strategy and competitive intelligence needs.


The complexity of this role stems from the need to integrate highly technical scientific content, competitive intelligence, portfolio considerations and senior-leadership expectations into clear, actionable strategy narratives. The role operates across multiple interfaces without direct authority, requiring strong judgment, rapid synthesis and the ability to align diverse stakeholders under time pressure. It also demands the ability to balance strategic depth with executive-level simplicity, ensuring that complex R&D and BD topics are translated into materials that support high-quality decision-making.

Management of People:
  • Individual contributor role with no direct people management currently specified.
  • Expected to lead workstreams, coordinate cross-functional input and influence senior stakeholders without formal authority.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications:
  • PhD/MD/PharmD or equivalent in a scientific discipline preferred based on final leveling; additional MBA or business degree a plus.
  • Proven experience in pharmaceutical, life sciences, R&D, consulting, strategy or business development environments, including exposure to senior stakeholder engagement and executive level discussions.
  • Demonstrated ability to convert complex scientific and R&D concepts into executive-level presentations, visuals, briefs, infographics and data-driven narratives.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Mastery of visual storytelling, slide architecture, typography, color theory, layout, data visualization and executive communication.
  • Advanced proficiency of utilization of AI for landscape analysis, content generation, story flow, data analysis, competitive intelligence checks and rapid storyboard development.
  • Advanced proficiency with PowerPoint and modern slide/design tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, AlphaSense, Keynote, Google Slides, Figma, Illustrator, InDesign or equivalent.
  • Strong collaboration, prioritization and communication skills; able to operate effectively under pressure and iterate rapidly based on changing business needs.

Location: Billerica MA

Pay Range for this position: $200,800 - $301,300

The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information click here.

About Merck Group

Merck Group Careers

There has never been a more opportune time to join Merck Group, a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science, and performance materials. Merck Group offers a plethora of job opportunities that cater to a variety of skills and professional aspirations, making it an ideal environment for both seasoned experts and those at the start of their career journey.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck Group, every team member contributes to breakthrough innovations in healthcare, life sciences, and electronics. The company's commitment to diversity and innovation fuels its leadership in various sectors, driving growth and transformation globally. Merck Group’s career paths are diverse, offering positions that challenge individuals to use their skills in new ways every day, supported by robust training programs and development opportunities.

Explore Job Opportunities and Growth

Merck Group is not just about jobs; it's about building a career. With a vast array of positions, from research and development to marketing and sales, the company is keen on hiring and nurturing talent to lead industry transformation. Merck Group’s dedication to professional growth is evident in its comprehensive benefits package and performance management processes that aim to maximize individual potential.

Internship Programs

Starting with an internship at Merck Group can be a pivotal step in securing a prosperous career. Interns gain invaluable industry experience, working alongside seasoned professionals and engaging in projects that offer real-world applications of their studies. Internships often lead to full-time employment opportunities, providing a seamless transition from education to professional employment.

Inclusive Culture and Leadership

Merck Group is proud of its inclusive culture that embraces diversity and fosters an environment where all employees can thrive. The company’s leadership is committed to creating a workplace where diverse ideas lead to innovative outcomes. Merck Group also offers diversity training to ensure all team members are equipped to contribute to the company’s inclusive goals.

Networking and Professional Development

Employees at Merck Group are encouraged to engage in networking and professional development activities that enhance their career trajectories. The company hosts various networking events, workshops, and seminars that are designed to hone skills and foster connections within the industry. Leadership development programs are also a cornerstone, preparing employees for future roles of increased responsibility.

Stay Connected with Merck Group Careers

Interested candidates can explore open positions that match their skills and interests through the Merck Group careers page. The company values curious, creative, and solution-driven team players who are eager to make an impact.

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