Vice President, New Product Planning & Launch Excellence

Merck•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Senior Director, US New Product Planning & Launch Excellence will shape the commercial foundation for future pipeline launches and strengthen the organization’s launch excellence capabilities. This high-impact role requires a strategic, commercially minded leader with experience in both US Commercial and global teams. The role will define the strategies, capabilities, operating models, resourcing approaches, and organizational priorities needed to successfully introduce new assets into a growing US market. The position does not offer sponsorship for work authorization; external applicants must be eligible to work in the US. Travel of up to 20% is required for key meetings and congresses.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, science, or a related field.
At least 10 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, focused on commercial strategy, new product planning, marketing, launch strategy, or related disciplines.
Strong knowledge of the US pharmaceutical market, commercialization processes, and product lifecycle.
Proven ability to build or scale commercial infrastructure.
Experience developing and refining resourcing plans, operating models, and capability roadmaps.
Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders in a highly matrixed organization.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and ability to build alignment across diverse teams.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and storyboarding skills, including the ability to translate complex information into clear, concise, high-impact messages.
Results-oriented and proactive, with the ability to address challenges with confidence, energy, and urgency.
Willingness to travel up to 20% for key meetings and congresses.
Must be eligible to work in the US; work authorization sponsorship is not offered.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree.
Demonstrated US Commercial and product launch experience.
Experience with specialty medicines, rare disease, or oncology.

Responsibilities

Represent the US Commercial perspective on global asset teams and shape asset and pipeline strategy.
Translate strategy into actionable, scenario-based US launch plans, covering market development, positioning, access, evidence, engagement, patient support, capabilities, resourcing, field force, and investment.
Partner across global and US functions to identify launch risks, gaps, dependencies, and misalignment, and develop practical solutions.
Establish launch governance, plans, and decision processes; support executive forums with clear recommendations, trade-offs, and risk assessments.
Build the talent, processes, capabilities, and infrastructure needed for launch, including specialty and institution-based commercialization models.
Lead cross-functional initiatives and guide assets from early planning through launch readiness and in-market execution.