VP, Pharma Media New Chicago, IL

At MERGE, we are Built Different . We are a marketing and technology agency purpose-built for the intersection of health and wellness—where human impact matters most. By weaving storytelling through technology, we move beyond traditional engagement to Whole Human Marketing. This approach recognizes that humans are multidimensional and complex, and uses AI to ensure every brand interaction feels natural, contextual, and relevant. This commitment to human-first innovation is what brings us together and propels us forward. We are united by our North Star: to unite people and brands to empower healthier, happier lives. Emerge to the Top of Your Career At MERGE, we strive to create a superior work experience where talented and ambitious people grow. An experience that encourages people to think higher and feel deeper. An experience where people engage their minds and hearts to do the best work of their careers. As our Vice President, Pharma Media, you will… Lead client strategy and media delivery across one of our fastest-growing areas of pharmaceutical work. In this senior media leadership role, you'll drive HCP and DTC audience strategy, manage high-impact client relationships, and connect smart media choices directly to commercial outcomes. You’ll bring the agility to navigate a shifting ad-tech landscape, the deep expertise to lead integrated media strategy, and the humility to collaborate seamlessly alongside our internal specialists to deliver cohesive, results-driven solutions. What You’ll Do Drive Strategic Growth: Lead media strategy and senior client relationships for complex pharma accounts, keeping a primary focus on HCP audiences and integrated HCP/DTC programs. Shape Audience Strategy: Craft sophisticated audience strategies—including segmentation, channel roles, sequencing, and optimization that turn client business goals into measurable media outcomes. Collaborate Across Practices: Partner with data and practice leads across Applied Intelligence, Discoverability, Programmatic, and Social to build fully integrated media plans and apply advanced measurement approaches (like MMM, attribution, and patient-level data) effectively. Expand Client Value: Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts by introducing MERGE’s differentiated offerings, such as HCP + DTC Performance Link, HCP/DTC Maestro, and Decision-Back consulting. Lead with Impact: Support new business pitches and mentor internal account/strategy teams, setting a high standard for strategic rigor, client service, and commercial growth. Stay Ahead of Trends: Maintain a strong pulse on emerging media channels, pharma marketing shifts, changing HCP behaviors, and evolving technology. What Success Looks Like You’ll help MERGE win and expand high-value pharmaceutical relationships by elevating our strategic media delivery. By pairing strong leadership with a collaborative mindset, you'll bridge data, creative, and media execution to solve real-world business challenges for our clients. Who You Are Experienced Media Leader: You bring 10+ years of media experience with substantial expertise in pharma marketing and HCP strategy. Experience spanning both HCP and DTC— as well as oncology is a major plus. Agile & Adaptable: You stay continuously curious about the broader landscape—from AI and search to privacy and emerging channels—adapting your approaches as client needs and technology evolve. Data-Fluent: You understand how advanced data, patient-level insights, MMM, and attribution models strengthen media decisions. You don't need to build the models yourself, but you know how to ask the right questions, interpret results, and put data to work. Collaborative & Humble: You thrive in cross-functional environments, readily bringing together media, analytics, and activation specialists around a unified plan without letting ego get in the way. Clear Communicator & Commercial Thinker: You have strong commercial instincts for account growth and can distill complex media, audience, and measurement concepts into clear, persuasive stories for executive clients. Bonus Background: Prior hands‑on experience in programmatic, paid social, search, SEO/GEO, or executing integrated HCP/DTC oncology programs is valuable, though not required. Location: This role may be based in any MERGE office location or performed remotely within the United States.

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