Associate Director, Brand Strategy (Pharma)

Merge • Chicago, IL

11d • $86,000 - $104,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Merge Storytelling and Technology We bring together the minds and passions of creative pioneers, tech innovators, and data explorers to help ambitious clients solve business challenges and rise to the top. MERGE has enduring client partnerships with American Express, T-Mobile, Subway, Kate Spade NY, Coach, The North Face, Meta, Adobe, BlueCross BlueShield, Abbott, Astellas, Supernus, CSL, GE Healthcare, Broward Health, Indiana University Health, and Morgan Stanley. With offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Montreal, New York City and Los Angeles. MERGE uses a talent-to-task process that enables clients to think higher and feel deeper about their customers. Promote Health, Wellness & Happiness We are committed to promoting health, wellness and happiness in the world by partnering with purpose-driven clients in purpose-driven industries in healthcare, life science, and consumer products. Our deep vertical expertise and category insights stem from decade-long partnerships with our top clients. Emerge to the Top of Your Career At MERGE, we strive to create a superior work experience where talented and ambitious people grow. An experience that encourages people to think higher and feel deeper. An experience where people engage their minds and hearts to do the best work of their careers. As our Associate Director, Brand Strategy in Pharma & Rare Disease you will… Leverage your marketing expertise in high-science disease states to lead and innovate across key strategic areas. You will serve as the engine of our strategic process - partnering with teams to define and segment complex audiences (HCPs, Patients, and Caregivers), map journeys, and identify and shape high-impact market opportunities. Your ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable narratives will drive tangible business results for our clients

Requirements

• Experience: 7+ years of professional experience, with at least 2+ years in an agency or consultancy
• Pharma/Rare Disease Focus: Proven ability to apply strategic principles across complex disease states and everyday chronic conditions, navigating the unique regulatory and emotional landscapes of rare disease marketing, while having a clear grasp of mainstream pharma marketing principles
• Storytelling Mastery: Demonstrated ability to marry data with storytelling, presenting a compelling vision to clients that inspires investment and creative excellence
• Strategic Fluency: Mastery of the modern strategist's toolkit, including audience definition, segmentation, and the authoring of insightful briefs
• Executive Presence and Communication Skills: Strong ability to consult with senior clients and lead cross-functional teams with exceptional communication skills
• Thrives in change: Motivated by adaptability, demonstrates a strong entrepreneurial spirit

Responsibilities

• Strategic Execution: Work independently to drive the development of a range of deliverables, ranging from audience segmentation and brand foundations to strategic plans. You will define and craft these deliverables within the context of both strategy-led projects and broader integrated agency work
• Research & Data Synthesis: Drive the development of specific research elements and lead interviews (where applicable) and the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to build an expert understanding of the client’s business, market, and customer base. Use these insights to independently uncover the "human truths" that fuel both brand and creative strategies while supporting the creation of high-impact strategic solutions
• Presentation & Storytelling Mastery: Expertly shape and integrate storytelling into client-facing deliverables, marrying complex data with persuasive narratives to support brand goals. You will convincingly present a full range of strategic outputs and support team members in developing their own storytelling skills
• Workshop Facilitation: Contribute to and lead client workshops (e.g., brand brainstorms or strategic work sessions), utilizing platforms like Miro to foster collaborative problem-solving
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Consistently identify opportunities to partner across different strategy roles and the wider MERGE organization to maximize client value. You are expected to foster this collaborative, growth-oriented mindset among junior strategy personnel
• AI & Innovation: Maintain proficiency with AI-driven strategic tools and proprietary platforms to enhance research efficiency and validate brand hypotheses. Demonstrate consistent curiosity regarding new technologies and offerings within MERGE that can enhance client work

Benefits

• meaningful Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401K, Lifestyle Spending Account, Employer Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Flexible Time off & Holidays plus many other benefits and rewards

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed