Associate Director, Strategic Forecasting

MSD • Rahway, NJ

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Strategic Forecasting Insights, develops strategic forecasts for a portfolio of products and indications, interprets forecast implications, generates insights, and communicates these to inform marketing strategy and business decisions. The role works closely with Digital Human Health (DHH) functions—including Market Research, Data Science, and Payer Analytics—and commercial stakeholders across Global and Regional Marketing, Market Access, and Finance. As an independent contributor in a matrixed organization, this person serves as a core contact for product and indication forecasts and forecast-related insights, partnering with other forecasting colleagues and cross-functional teams to scope, design, and deliver forecasting projects and periodic cycles.

The position calls for a strong grasp of forecasting methodologies, the relevant therapeutic area, available data sources, and business needs. The Associate Director will lead and collaborate across teams, build trust-based relationships with business partners, communicate clearly, and turn business questions into analytical approaches and strategic forecasting solutions. Travel may be required at less than 20%. The role is listed as hybrid, with the primary location in Rahway, New Jersey; Upper Gwynedd, Pennsylvania is also listed as a position location.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience delivering complex analytical projects in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry using market research and/or large patient or physician databases.
• Experience developing forecast models and/or related analytics, such as scenario analysis or business case development.
• Experience working in highly cross-functional, matrixed teams.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and lead with empathy and compassion.
• Experience leading diverse groups of colleagues and positively managing ambiguity.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently and collaborate seamlessly.
• Ability to lead without authority.
• Ability to understand business processes and translate business questions into specific, tangible hypotheses and analytical requirements.
• Strong problem-solving skills and appreciation for data-oriented analytical methods.
• Ability to work in an unstructured environment and create structure and clarity through strong organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize work efficiently and effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Therapeutic-area experience in oncology, vaccines, or pharma/rare disease, as relevant to the assigned area.
• Advanced forecasting experience, including patient-based and trend-based models, advanced scenarios and simulations, and a deep understanding of modeling nuances for the relevant therapeutic area.
• Consultative business-partner experience, either within a company or as a consultant.
• Prior experience in a closely partnering function, such as Marketing, Market Access, Finance, Market Research, Data Science, or Payer Analytics.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Strategic Forecasting Insights Director to determine appropriate forecast models, tools, and techniques for assigned assets or indications.
• Partner continuously with Marketing Engagement, Market Research, Data Science, Payer Analytics, and other DHH functions to develop insight strategies and plans and secure appropriate forecasting inputs.
• Develop and deliver forecasts and forecasting insights for cycles aligned with the company's enterprise forecasting process, collaborating with matrixed colleagues in the US and India.
• Support business understanding of actual performance against forecasts and the factors driving that performance.
• Engage Marketing, Market Access, and Finance stakeholders to align on forecast inputs, outputs, and insights for each cycle.
• Apply a range of forecasting capabilities to business strategy and decision-making.
• Coordinate and collaborate across a highly matrixed organization, including large teams, to support a One Team approach.
• Communicate frequently and clearly about the forecasting process, inputs, insights, and related topics to align business and DHH stakeholders.
• Enable interconnected problem-solving with DHH and business colleagues on targeted business questions.
• Build close, trust-based relationships and serve as a thought leader and strategic partner to business partners.
• Understand stakeholder priorities and develop strategic forecasting solutions that support business objectives with broader commercial insights teams.
• Travel as required; travel may be less than 20%.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and other insurance benefits for employees and families.
• Retirement benefits, including a 401(k).
• Paid holidays.
• Vacation.
• Compassionate and sick days.
• Eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director