Job Description
Department: Digital Human Health (DHH) China Market
Reports To: Head of China DHH
The Market Activation & Enablement Lead Director is a key leadership role within the China Digital Human Health (DHH part of the global Information Technology) organization. This leader will shape and drive the AI, Technology & Solutions agenda for the China commercial business, ensuring digital, data, and AI capabilities translate into tangible business value.
The role will:
Act as a strategic Business Partner to commercial and cross‑functional leaders.
Define and execute a market‑relevant AI strategy focused on high‑impact commercial use cases.
Lead Strategic Forecasting in partnership with the business units, finance, and global forecasting teams.
This position requires a blend of strategic thinking, strong business acumen, an entrepreneurial mindset, a deep understanding of AI, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a complex, matrixed environment.
Own and drive the Commercial AI strategy for China in alignment with China business priorities, enterprise AI directions, and the global technology stack, collaborating with the local product teams and global value teams to design, deliver, and scale user‑centric solutions that comply with local regulations, are aligned with enterprise architecture, and create opportunities to export successful China use cases to other markets.
Serve as the primary business partner for commercial business leaders and their teams, jointly identifying, prioritizing, and shaping high-value AI, data & digital use cases.
Translate business problems into technology solutions and robust business cases, with clear value hypotheses, success metrics, ROI, and benefit realization tracking, while designing local solutions that build on and extend global platforms and standards.
Lead strategic forecasting for key brands, portfolios, and initiatives, providing integrated insights that inform strategy, brand planning, and execution across China business units in partnership with the Strategic Forecasting Value Team.
Drive strong adoption and change management, including training and communication, and synthesize complex data and AI outputs into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for senior leaders, fostering a data-driven, innovation-oriented culture.
Exercise leadership and people management by building and leading a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team; mentor and coach team members to enhance both technical and business partnering capabilities.
Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning with a strong focus on business outcomes with the cross-functional collaboration across DHH, Business & Commercial Excellence, Business Units, Finance, Market Access, Legal & Compliance, and Global IT teams
Take this role an extra mile by leveraging a deep understanding of the China healthcare, policy, and regulatory environment and the local AI/digital ecosystem to shape globally aligned local solutions, identify and manage high‑potential external partnerships, and inform innovation for the China business
undefined
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, Data Science, or related field required.
Advanced degree (MBA, Master’s, or PhD in analytics/data science / related discipline) preferred.
Experienced & has deep familiarity with the China market and has worked in commercial IT, digital, analytics, consulting, or related roles.
Proven track record leading AI/advanced analytics initiatives that delivered measurable business impact, ideally in life sciences/healthcare/consumer or other data‑rich industries.
Demonstrated experience in Strategic Forecasting (market, brand, or portfolio level) and integrating forecasting into commercial decision‑making.
Significant experience in senior‑level business partnering, influencing cross‑functional stakeholders, and working in matrixed, multinational organizations. Experience evaluating and managing external technology and data partnerships;
Familiarity with the Chinese digital and data ecosystem is strongly preferred.
Strong business acumen and understanding of commercial levers (sales, marketing, pricing, access, omnichannel).
Solid conceptual understanding of AI with the ability to challenge, guide, and collaborate effectively with technical and delivery teams.
Exceptional stakeholder management, collaboration, and communication skills; able to translate complex topics into clear narratives for senior non-technical audiences and align diverse peers and stakeholders around common goals.
Strategic thinker with the ability to connect long‑term vision to short‑term execution and incremental value delivery.
Strong problem‑solving mindset, data‑driven decision‑making, and comfort operating with ambiguity.
Fluency in Mandarin Chinese and proficiency in English (written and spoken) required.
Delivery of high‑impact AI and analytics use cases with clear, quantified business value (e.g., revenue growth, cost efficiency, customer engagement).
Quality, credibility, and adoption of Strategic Forecasting outputs across commercial and finance stakeholders.
Satisfaction of business partners with DHH & cross divisional IT collaboration, responsiveness, and strategic contribution.
Number and impact of external partnerships that materially enhance AI/analytics capabilities or speed to value. Engagement, development, and retention of the team; recognized as a “go‑to” leader for AI and insights within the China market.
Required Skills:
Accountability, Benefits Management, Business Analysis, Business Management, Business Partnerships, Business Process Improvements, Commercial Excellence, Customer Engagement, Digital Analytics, Enterprise Architecture, Financial Forecasting, Governance Management, Leadership, Management Process, Marketing Activation, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Program Management, REMOTE_SKILL-1-52891, Stakeholder Communications, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Forecasting, Strategic Planning, Workforce PlanningPreferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
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:
RegularRelocation:
DomesticVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
10%Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
n/aJob Posting End Date:
05/30/2026*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.