Associate Director, Strategic Forecasting

Merck • North Wales, PA

2d • $156,900 - $247,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Strategic Forecasting Insights, develops strategic forecasts for a set of products and indications, interprets forecast implications, develops insights, and communicates them to the business to support marketing strategy. The role works closely with Digital Human Health functions—including Market Research, Data Science, and Payer Analytics—to build a perspective on the market and asset situation and establish forecasting inputs. It also partners with commercial stakeholders across Global and Regional Marketing, Market Access, and Finance.

This independent-contributor role collaborates with forecasting colleagues in a matrixed structure and serves as a core point of contact for product and indication forecasts and related insights. The successful candidate brings forecasting expertise, business-area understanding, cross-functional leadership, and a consultative, entrepreneurial mindset. The role scopes, designs, and delivers forecasting projects, including periodic forecasting cycles, and related insights. It requires substantial collaboration, independent work, leadership, continuous learning, and strong communication. Travel may be required at less than 20%. The position is 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, with demonstrated collaboration and leadership characterized by empathy and compassion.
• Experience leading diverse groups of colleagues and positively managing ambiguity.
• Self-motivation, proactivity, ability to work independently and collaborate seamlessly, and ability to lead without authority.
• Ability to understand business processes and translate business questions into specific, tangible hypotheses and requirements to guide analysis.
• Strong problem-solving skills and appreciation for data-oriented analytical methods.
• Ability to work in an unstructured environment and use strong organizational skills to create structure and clarity.
• Ability to prioritize work efficiently and effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Therapeutic-area experience in oncology, vaccines, or pharma/rare diseases, as relevant to the role.
• Advanced forecasting experience, including patient-based and trend-based models, advanced scenarios and simulations, and an in-depth understanding of modeling nuances in the relevant therapeutic area.
• Consultative business-partner experience, within a company or as a consultant.
• Prior experience in Marketing, Market Access, Finance, Market Research, Data Science, or Payer Analytics.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Strategic Forecasting Insights Director to determine appropriate forecast modeling approaches, tools, and techniques for assigned assets or indications.
• Partner continually with Marketing Engagement, Market Research, Data Science, Payer Analytics, and other Digital Human Health functions to develop insight strategies and plans that provide 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 United States and India.
• Support ongoing business understanding and engagement regarding actual performance versus forecast and the factors driving performance.
• Partner with Marketing, Market Access, and Finance to align on inputs, outputs, and forecasting insights for each cycle.
• Apply a range of forecasting capabilities to business strategy and decision-making.
• Collaborate across a highly matrixed organization and large teams, ensuring a One Team approach.
• Communicate frequently and clearly about forecasting processes, inputs, insights, and related topics to align business and Digital Human Health stakeholders.
• Enable interconnected problem-solving with Digital Human Health and business colleagues on targeted business questions.
• Build close, trust-based relationships and act as a thought leader and strategic partner to business partners.
• Understand stakeholder priorities and collaborate with commercial insight teams to develop strategic forecasting solutions that support business objectives.
• Travel as required; travel may be less than 20%.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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