Associate Director, Marketing

Job Description Join the U.S. launch team for an investigational Phase III HIV prevention asset (PrEP) to advance the Healthcare Consumer (HCC) strategy for people who may benefit from PrEP. Reporting to the HCC Director, HIV PrEP, this role supports the end-to-end consumer approach—from insight generation to strategy development, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) campaign creation, and omnichannel delivery to support a successful launch. The role requires experience in healthcare consumer behavior, digital engagement, and agile marketing, as well as the ability to translate insights into campaigns and tactics that motivate key segments to consider PrEP. As a critical member of the launch team, this role supports cross-functional alignment, agency management, and innovation across channels, messaging, and measurement frameworks. Given the dynamic nature of our marketing capabilities, a successful candidate will need a high level of learning agility, resilience, comfort with ambiguity, experience navigating a heavily matrixed organization, and a willingness to pioneer new approaches. Key Responsibilities Strategy & Tactic Development: Own and execute clear, compelling consumer strategies for the US PrEP franchise, including foundational insights, strategic priorities, target-setting, and short- and long-term launch plans. Define learning objectives and work with cross-functional teams to identify customer and market trends to inform marketing strategies. DTC & Content Creation: Support the creation of DTC content across channels. Partner with agencies and internal teams to develop tailored messaging by segment. Agency Management: Lead day-to-day engagement with creative, media, research, and digital agencies. Manage the workflow from insight and brief development through validation, approval, primary production, and delivery. Budget Management: Manage the assigned consumer marketing budget, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources to maximize ROI. Ensure ongoing budget tracking, forecasting, vendor SOW management, and scenario planning to support strong financial stewardship. Omnichannel Activation: Support the end-to-end activation strategy across non-personal and digital channels for key consumer segments. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with market research, data & analytics, digital content teams, and community engagement teams to align execution. Coordinate with HCP marketing counterparts to ensure message consistency, seamless pull-through, and strategic alignment across consumer and professional channels. Education Required Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (BA/BS). Preferred: MBA or equivalent. Preferred Minimum of 7 years of marketing experience, preferably in healthcare consumer or general consumer marketing Demonstrated expertise in agency management, budget management, and campaign development/delivery. Deep knowledge of digital marketing channels, content strategy, social media ecosystems, performance marketing, and measurement frameworks. Strong analytical skills and comfort with data-driven decision-making. Excellent communication, presentation, and project management capability: track record of managing multiple concurrent initiatives, setting priorities, and consistently delivering high-quality results. Strategic thinker with operational discipline who translates long-term strategy into executable tactical plans. Comfortable operating in high-visibility environments: performs effectively under pressure and navigates changing priorities with resilience. Influential collaborator: builds strong internal and external relationships, navigates stakeholder dynamics, and secures alignment across functions. Preferred Skills HIV Treatment or Prevention, or related public health experience. Product launches and pre-launch commercialization activities. Proven self-starter with a hands-on, results-driven approach. Familiarity with omnichannel marketing, digital channel integration, and agile marketing processes. Required Experience & Skills Minimum of 7 years of marketing experience, preferably in healthcare consumer or general consumer marketing Demonstrated expertise in agency management, budget management, and campaign development/delivery. Deep knowledge of digital marketing channels, content strategy, social media ecosystems, performance marketing, and measurement frameworks. Strong analytical skills and comfort with data-driven decision-making. Excellent communication, presentation, and project management capability: track record of managing multiple concurrent initiatives, setting priorities, and consistently delivering high-quality results. Strategic thinker with operational discipline who translates long-term strategy into executable tactical plans. Comfortable operating in high-visibility environments: performs effectively under pressure and navigates changing priorities with resilience. Influential collaborator: builds strong internal and external relationships, navigates stakeholder dynamics, and secures alignment across functions. Preferred Skills Product launches and pre-launch commercialization activities. Proven self-starter with a hands-on, results-driven approach. Familiarity with omnichannel marketing, digital channel integration, and agile marketing processes. Location & Work Model Location: Upper Gwynedd, PA — Hybrid (3 days on-site per week per U.S. Hybrid Work Model). Travel: Approximately 25% travel required. Required Skills Adaptability Adaptability Advertising Campaign Development Agency Management Agency Relationships Agency Selection Agile Methodology Creative Campaign Development Cross-Functional Project Management Decision Making Digital Analytics Healthcare Marketing Industry Trend Analysis Marketing Budget Management Marketing Management Marketing Mix Marketing Strategy Implementation Market Research Market Trend Analysis Omnichannel Marketing Omnichannel Strategy People Leadership Pharmaceutical Industry Pricing Strategies Principles of Marketing Benefits medical dental vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family) retirement benefits 401(k) paid holidays vacation compassionate and sick days annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable Employment Details Employee Status: Regular Relocation: No VISA Sponsorship: No Travel Requirements: 25% Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: Not Indicated Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): N/A Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. US and Puerto Rico Residents Only Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. SanFrancisco Residents Only We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. LosAngeles Residents Only We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Compensation The salary range for this role is $142,400.00 - $224,100.00 This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. Job Posting End Date: 09/23/2026 *A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date. Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare. #J-18808-Ljbffr