Associate Director, U.S. Account Management Strategy

Job Description

Our vision in Integrated Account Management (IAM) is to be the catalyst that optimizes patient access to our Company’s portfolio while delivering positive customer experiences and profitable business outcomes. The IAM Commercial Policy and Strategic Insights team shapes U.S. market strategic planning through a deep understanding of market access, U.S. policy, payer engagement, account management strategy, customer collaboration, and customer trends. As our Company’s portfolio and pipeline continue to expand, the need for consistent, scalable account management capabilities across complex organized customers has never been more important.

Reporting to the Director, US Market Access Strategy, the Associate Director, U.S. Account Management Strateg y will support the evolution of our account management strategy and market access capabilities. This role will translate strategic vision into practical, scalable execution by embedding our One Company Account Management Strategy into launch readiness and supporting the execution of prioritized market access transformation initiatives across the enterprise.

Reporting Relationship: Reports to the Director, U.S. Market Access Strategy.

Location: Hybrid position based in Upper Gwynedd, PA.

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Core Responsibilities:

This individual will lead and manage prioritized initiatives that advance the core pillars of our One Company Account Management Strategy.

- Launch Readiness & Onboarding: Lead defined account management workstreams within launch planning, including role readiness, customer engagement processes, capability development, and field implementation.  Support cross-functional onboarding and operating model development for new Account Executive and National Account Director roles introduced to support portfolio expansion. Equip current account management teams with the capabilities needed to engage new customers and work effectively across evolving customer models.
- One Company Account Management Strategy: Partner with the Director to support the implementation and adoption of our One Company Account Management Strategy across the Company enterprise in the U.S. Serve as a subject matter expert and key collaborator in developing the processes and capabilities needed to strengthen role clarity, customer experience, launch readiness and business outcomes.
- Capability, Skill Integration & Talent Upskilling: Manage the continued integration of the Core Functional Skills (CFS) framework for Account Executives across the enterprise and extend its application to relevant headquarters roles. Support the development of functional skills and access talent across other Market Access roles.
- Transformation Results: Develop analyses and executive-ready updates on transformation progress, performance measures and capability maturity for review with key stakeholders.

Detailed Responsibilities Include:

- Serve as a key resource and subject matter expert on our U.S. Account Management Strategy, capabilities, roles and implementation needs.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with senior leaders, Business Units, Finance, Learning & Development, Legal, Compliance, IT, Customer Facing Applications, Payer Marketing, and field leadership to support launch, adoption and scaling of our prioritized account management and market access initiatives.
- Participate as a cross-functional team member with Brand and Payer Marketing teams to incorporate the One Company Account Management Strategy into go-to-market plans.
- Lead the annual Core Functional Skills self-assessment and skill development process, using findings to inform future capabilities, resources, and account management evolution in alignment with the Director and relevant leadership forums.
- Develop and support account management tools, templates, analytics, and other enablers that improve efficiency, generate insights, promote consistency and strengthen adoption.
- Collaborate with internal subject matter experts to develop detailed implementation plans for prioritized capabilities, including AI, automation, and self-service tools.
- Synthesize input from account teams, Payer Marketing, and customer-facing stakeholders to inform strategic planning, strengthen launch readiness, and identify emerging market access trends, customer insights, opportunities, and risks.
- Coordinate Legal and Compliance reviews for new access capabilities.
- Manage third-party vendor relationships supporting strategic advisory, orchestration, capability development, and implementation work.
- Track and report on the progress of the transformation, metrics, and capability maturity to key stakeholders.

Qualifications:

Education:

- Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.

Required Experience:

- Minimum of five (5) years of combined experience in sales, account management, marketing, market access, marketing/sales support, finance, market analytics, global market access, managed markets, healthcare economics, or related functions.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to frame complex issues, translate insights into action, and support important business decisions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to develop clear, executive-ready materials and recommendations.
- Strong project management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and build cross-functional alignment without direct authority.
- Ability to quickly assess strategic and operational scenarios and determine practical implications for account management and market access execution.

- Understanding of macro-level U.S. healthcare trends, market access dynamics, and stakeholders (e.g., payers, channels/distributors, providers, and employers).
- Proven leadership, change management, and collaboration skills.

Preferred Experience:

- Experience in Market Access, Payer Marketing, Account Management, large, organized customer engagement, launch execution, enterprise collaboration, vendor management, and change management.
- Experience with capability building (data, technology, and talent) in a market access or commercial setting.
- Experience navigating approval processes for promotional materials, field guidance tools, and other market access resources.
- Proven ability to partner with customers and customer-facing teams to improve account management strategy, execution, and customer experience.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage external experts, vendors, and consultants.

Required Skills:
Account Management, Account Management, Account Planning, Account Strategies, Adaptability, Building Capability, Business Alignment, Business Decisions, Business Transformation, Competency Development, Contract Management, Customer-Focused, Customer Management, Customer Needs Assessments, Data Analysis, Distributor Management, Executive Reports, Financial Acumen, Healthcare Reimbursement, Management Consulting, Market Analysis, Market Opportunity Analysis, Opportunity Management, Pharmaceutical Industry, Pipeline Planning {+ 9 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.

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The primary location for this posting is:
USA - Pennsylvania - North Wales (Upper Gwynedd)

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:
$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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 .

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
10/26/2026
*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.