Associate Director, Capability Building, Value & Access (Commercial)

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany•Boston, MA

6h•Remote

About The Position

The Associate Director, Capability Building, Value & Access (Commercial) is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of learning solutions that enhance the skills, knowledge, and behaviors of all Value & Access customer-facing roles—with the goal of driving highly impactful customer engagements that will have measurable business impact. This role leads the creation of world-class onboarding programs, product launches, live and virtual learning experiences, and continuous knowledge and skill-building initiatives that elevate field performance. The Associate Director identifies capability gaps, designs scalable learning interventions, and partners cross-functionally to ensure alignment with business priorities. The role requires expertise in adult learning, performance consulting, instructional design, and digital delivery methods, as well as exceptional project management, time management, facilitation and communication skills.

Requirements

Strong project and program management
Excellent facilitation and communication skills
Ability to influence without formal authority
Experience designing commercial learning programs
Digital learning and PowerPoint proficiency
Product launch readiness experience
Working knowledge of MLR and compliance processes
Bachelor’s degree with minimum 5 years of commercial experience, or Master’s degree with minimum 3 years of commercial experience
Demonstrated experience in commercial training, learning design, or field enablement.

Nice To Haves

3+ years of experience in value & access within pharma / biotech company
Demonstrated understanding of the U.S. specialty or biotech commercial business environment, including how payers, PBMs, specialty pharmacy, wholesalers, IDNs, or other organized customer groups engage with pharmaceutical manufacturers
Commercial field training program design
Strong facilitation and presentation skills
Ability to translate complex scientific content and the business environment into practical learning
Vendor and agency management
Ability to communicate openly and share information to foster trust while encouraging constructive debate, making informed decisions, and ensuring shared commitment to outcomes.
Demonstrated willingness to take risks and stand up for what is right while prioritizing the needs and experiences of customers and patients in all decisions.
Commitment to setting and reaching ambitious goals and setting high standards while acting in the best interest of the company and taking initiative to drive results.
Uphold ethical standards and being honest in all interactions.
Ability to streamlining processes to focus on what matters and creates impact and acting quickly to adapt to changes.
Demonstrated ability to embrace new ideas, challenge the status quo, and seek innovative solutions while valuing diverse perspectives and treating others with respect and dignity.

Responsibilities

Build Continuous Capability
Conduct needs assessments and performance analyses
Create scalable learning solutions tied to business priorities
Use field insight, data, and stakeholder input to keep capability building relevant
Drive Launch and Product Training
In collaboration with your counterparts, adapt and/or develop training on product, disease, access environment, and customer engagement skills
Translate brand strategy and access strategy into practical field learning
Lead launch readiness capability initiatives
Support training delivery at national and regional meetings
Lead Onboarding and Field Readiness
Design and deliver cross-portfolio new hire onboarding and certification programs
Facilitate live and virtual learning experiences
Provide readiness feedback to managers and field trainers
Ensure Operational Excellence and Compliance
Lead Medical, Legal, Regulatory review for training materials
Ensure training meets compliance standards
Track participation and maintain training documentation
Support budget and resource planning for training initiatives
Partner Across the Business
Collaborate across multiple stakeholders, including Field Leaders, Marketing, Medical, other brand-specific training colleagues, HR, and vendors
Lead cross-functional training projects and timelines
Manage external partners supporting content and delivery
Adapt global learning for U.S. field use when applicable
Other duties as assigned