MSD

Scientific Strategy Lead, Portfolio Marketing (HCP)

USA - Pennsylvania - North Wales (Upper Gwynedd) Full time

Job Description

We are seeking a Scientific Strategy Lead, Portfolio Marketing (HCP) to play a pivotal role in shaping the U.S. commercial strategy for a dynamic oncology portfolio spanning multiple stages of commercialization—including the recent launch of our subcutaneous formulation.

This is a high‑impact leadership role for an experienced oncology marketer who thrives at the intersection of science, strategy, and execution. You will lead the development and activation of integrated HCP marketing strategies that drive performance today while building a strong foundation for future indications and portfolio expansion.

This opportunity will enable a highly qualified individual to shape scientific strategy at a portfolio level, influence key oncology launches, and work alongside passionate, cross‑functional leaders in a rapidly evolving therapeutic area—while balancing near‑term performance with long‑term vision.

This position is hybrid (Upper Gwynedd, PA) or remote, reporting to the Director, HCP Portfolio Marketing – US Oncology.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead development, refinement, and execution of the US HCP portfolio marketing commercial strategy across a multi-product oncology portfolio (launch and in-line assets).

  • Own forecasting and launch planning/execution for new formulations, routes of administration, combinations, dosing changes, and indication expansions to build brand equity.

  • Drive franchise S&OP oversight across brands and provide clear, actionable updates to senior leadership.

  • Develop and ensure adoption and consistency of current and mid-term HCP portfolio marketing strategy to sustain and grow market leadership.

  • Apply enterprise-level thinking to make critical trade-off decisions that balance portfolio priorities across the oncology landscape.

  • Lead lifecycle scenario planning and campaign development for late-stage assets and upcoming launches.

  • Partner closely with US and global stakeholders (HCP, Science, brand strategy leads, commercial teams) to align plans and identify synergies across products.

  • Identify insights and gaps to design multi-faceted launch plans; recommend and oversee market research to support strategic goals.

  • Monitor competitive dynamics and market trends to anticipate impact and adjust strategy.

  • Provide strong cross-functional leadership, mentoring, and influence to deliver flawless execution under tight and changing timelines.

Education Minimum Requirements:

Required: BA/BS          

Required Experience and Skills:

  • A minimum of 8 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry

  • A minimum of 6 years of HCP-Marketing experience – preferably in oncology

  • A minimum of 2 years people management experience

  • Strong relationship building, problem solving, teamwork, analytical, and written/verbal communication skills

  • Ability to work in a fast paced, quickly changing environment

  • Experience in leading brand strategy and implementation across multiple indications/brands

Preferred Experience and Skills

  • 4+ years of Oncology Marketing experience, ideally with a focus in HCP Strategy and/or Scientific Strategy

  • 2+ years field sales or field sales leadership experience

  • Product/Indication launch experience – preferably in oncology

  • Previous lifecycle management experience – preferably in oncology

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Brand Growth, Brand Management, Brand Strategy, Budget Management, Communication, Cross-Team Collaboration, Customer-Focused, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Customer Segmentation, Fast-Paced Environments, Market Access, Marketing, Market Research, Media Planning, Medical Teaching, Oncology, Oncology Marketing, Oral Communications, Pharmaceutical Sales, Refining, Relationship Building, Scenario Planning, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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

$156,900.00 - $247,000.00

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:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/a

Job Posting End Date:

05/6/2026

*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.