Director, Patient Innovation & Engagement - Digital Modernization & Grant Operations

Job Description

Role Summary: Lead Transformation in Patient Engagement Through Digital Excellence

Seeking a dynamic and visionary Digital Modernization Director to lead the Patient Innovation and Engagement team (PI&E). This role is central to the PI&E mission of empowering patients and advancing advocacy initiatives. The ideal candidate will be a digital innovator with a passion for patient-centered work, ready to transform operations and drive measurable impact. The Director, Patient Engagement Digital Modernization, Strategy Realization & Operations position resides in the Value & Implementation (V&I) organization. The Director oversees the enablement of data assets, ensures alignment and development of product capabilities across PI&E, manages data sources across PI&E Central and drives incorporation of data into the V&I Data with PI&E leadership and key stakeholders to develop and drive the PI&E execution strategy aligned with V&I and company priorities to embed the patient voice across the portfolio.  The Director will also develop, prepare and manage the departmental budget and will be responsible for financial reporting. This role requires a unique combination of skills to gain the trust of therapeutic area and regional colleagues, an innovative mindset to think through novel ways to help make better decisions, and the ability to execute on ideas by gathering the necessary data, building data pipelines, developing interfaces, and applying data science models. This role will serve as a cross-functional partner ensuring maximal use of data assets across the company.

Responsibilities and Primary Activities

• Assists the PI&E organization in discovering information hidden in data to make data-driven strategic decisions for the organization

• Acts as a strategist and implementer and ensures streamlined activities within the team based on annual priorities and in alignment to V&I plans and manages a broad range of activities to achieve key priorities and initiatives

• Oversees the Grant Operations team and PI&E budget and is accountable for tracking and fiscal responsibility of the budget and uses data analytics to predict trends and allocate resources and budget appropriately throughout the year.

• Identifies appropriate data sources to address V&I and PI&E needs

• Designs and develops analyses (e.g., descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, prescriptive) to draw inferences and conclusions to inform decision making for the team

• Ensures high quality, rigorous, and readily interpretable deliverables

• Develops data visualizations and presentation decks to communicate findings

• Provides recommended actions with stakeholders from senior and executive leadership teams

• Manages and coaches team members to transform data into dynamic, resonant stories, visuals, and other innovative, insightful presentation methods for internal V&I decision-making

• Contributes to a collaborative environment: 1) maintains an entrepreneurial spirit 2) has a strong understanding of healthcare data and technology 3) can identify and use new data sources 4) effectively informs V&I Plans

• Keeps abreast of the latest trends in the field through continuous learning and proactively championing new methods to solve critical and emerging PI&E problems and drive PI&E activities

• Leads substantial change initiatives with broad implications

• Leads the execution of key initiatives

• Identifies opportunities in key growth areas

• Collaborates and partners with peers in other functions (e.g., GCTO) on cross-functional analytics projects, including data stewardship and governance

• Drives efficiencies in developing innovative data enablement strategies and implementations 

• Manages external vendors

Key Responsibilities

• Digital Transformation: Spearhead the modernization of the team’s workflows and processes by identifying, implementing, and optimizing cutting-edge digital solutions.

• Metrics & Performance Management: Develop and track meaningful metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure team effectiveness and program success.

• Budget Oversight: Manage the team’s budget, ensure responsible allocation of resources, adherence to financial goals, ensure accountability across the team and timely reporting.

• Grant Operations Management: Oversees and manages Grant Operations team and processes with an emphasis on efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Streamline operations using digital tools and best practices.

• Grant Operation Manager: Oversees Team Lead and fosters growth and development by providing guidance, support, and opportunities for learning and advancement.

• Team Leadership & Change Management: Inspire and guide the PI&E team through digital change. Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to advance patient advocacy and engagement initiatives.

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

Minimum

• Bachelor's degree (computer science, economics, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 10 years of relevant job experience -OR- Master’s Degree (computer science, economics, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant job experience -OR- PhD (computer science, economics, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 3 years of relevant job experience

• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and overseeing grants or similar operational processes

• Demonstrated experience in advanced analytics, natural language processing (NLP), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, modelling

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Experience and strong business acumen in the pharmaceutical industry

• Ability to translate complex ideas and analytical results into succinct, actionable insights and recommended actions

• Strong presentation skills

• Experience in building effective cross-functional partnerships and working across global teams 

• Ability to influence peers and leaders

• Ability to effectively work at a strategic and detailed level

• Entrepreneurial spirit with a high degree of initiative, innovative thinking, and intellectual curiosity

• Strong business acumen and technical competence.

• High degree of personal integrity

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree (computer science, finance, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 15 years of relevant job experience OR master’s degree (computer science, finance, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 10 years of relevant job experience OR PhD (computer science, finance, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 5 years of relevant job experience

• Experience in Global Medical Affairs, Patient advocacy or engagement or healthcare operations with at least 3 years in digital leadership role

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

• Experience with visualization software such as Tableau, Spotfire, Qlik, or related

• Proven track record of implementing digital solutions and driving organizational change.

• Strong analytical skills with experience in developing and tracking KPIs and metrics.

• Exceptional communication and leadership abilities.

• Passion for patient engagement and advocacy, with a commitment to improving patient outcomes through digital innovation.

Desired Skills

• Expertise in digital platforms and tools relevant to healthcare or advocacy environments.

• Familiarity with data analytics, dashboard creation, and reporting technologies.

• Experience with financial management software and grant tracking systems.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

• Creative problem-solving and strategic thinking.

Required Skills:

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Budget Management, Change Management, Computer Science, Digital Implementation, Federal Grant Writing, Grant Administration, Leadership, Machine Learning (ML), Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Patient Advocacy, Professional Networking, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$187,000.00 - $294,400.00

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.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles 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

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
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. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

12/4/2025

*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.