Director, Strategic Forecasting (Alliances & Pan Tumor)

Job Description Director, Strategic Forecasting (Alliances and Pan-Tumor) Our Human Health Digital Data and Analytics (HHDDA) team is innovating how we appreciate our patients and their needs. Working cross functionally we are inventing new ways of engaging, interacting and measuring with our customers and patients leveraging digital, data and analytics.We are seeking a Director, Strategic Forecasting Insights, who will be accountable for directing the development of strategic forecasts for a range of products and indications, as well as interpreting implications, developing insights, and conveying these to the business to help action the marketing strategy.The person in this role will work closely with other DD&A functions, including Market Research, Data Science, and Payer Analytics to build a strong perspective on the market and asset situation and thus the inputs to the strategic forecast. She/he will also work very closely across a range of commercial stakeholders, including Global and Regional Marketing, Market Access, and Finance. The individual will be both an independent contributor as well as self-directed a team and, collectively, will act as the primary point of contact for our commercial teams regarding development of product and indication forecasts and forecast-related insights.The ideal candidate will have deep appreciation of and knowledge across a range of forecasting methodologies, as well as a strong realization of their respective business area (oncology, pharma, or vaccines). They will have demonstrated the ability to quarterback highly cross-functional teams across forecasting, market research and data science, as well shown an aptitude for partnering closely with business and finance teams. They will also have an entrepreneurial spirit, consultative mindset, and strong understandingof the available data landscape and sources of insight. This person will help scope, design, and deliver well-defined forecasting projects (including periodic forecasting cycles) and insights.This role will require interfacing and collaborating with many teams. The candidate will have demonstrated consistently strong management skills, an ability to work independently and to lead a team and work extensively with larger cross functional teams. The person will have a growth mindset and embody a culture of continuous learning. Strong communication skills are suggested for a candidate to be successful in this role.Colleagues in this role should have demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and direct teams (direct line management as well as indirect management of individuals with a dotted reporting line). This person will be accountable to develop the next generation of strategic forecasting colleagues within HHDDA by creating a culture of empowerment, and continuous learning, have a strong dedication to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Individuals with prior knowledge guiding high performing and successful teams with strong team first mindset, appreciation and compassion is highly desired.Primary assignments :

Establish appropriate forecast modeling approaches, tools, and techniques for your respective asset(s) and/or indication(s).

Partner closely with BEA, Market Research, Data Science, Payer Analytics, and other HHDDA functions on a continual basis to develop appropriate insights strategies and plans to have the necessary inputs for strategic forecasting.

Direct your team in running the forecasting cycles aligned with our company enterprise forecasting process.

Ability to use Forecasting digital tool, guide coding experts to implement forecasting flow and explain the results to stakeholders.

Promote ongoing comprehension of and engagement with the business regarding actual performance against forecast, including what is driving it.

Engage closely with the business (Marketing, Market Access) and Finance in aligning on inputs, outputs, and the overall forecasting insights for each cycle.

Bring a range of forecasting capabilities to bear in addressing business strategy and decision-making, including trend-based forecasting, scenario analysis, Monte Carlo analysis, and others.

Build a team of high-performing strategic forecasters, promoting and enabling their continued development across business knowledge, forecasting techniques, and stakeholder engagement / consultative skills.

Partner and influence others in a highly matrixed organization including across large teams across both US and India-based colleagues, ensuring we always operate as One Team.

Drive frequent, clear communication around the forecasting process, inputs, insights, and other related topics to ensure all stakeholders are aligned.

Enable interconnected problem-solving with other HHDDA functional colleagues and business colleagues around targeted business questions.

Be a thought leader and strategic partner for our business partners via the establishment of close, trust-based relationships.

Comprehend business stakeholders' priorities and help develop strategic forecasting-related solutions that promote business objectives in collaboration with the broader commercial insight teams.

Travel: (<20%).

Education:

Undergraduate degree in related discipline.

MBA or master’s or Doctorate degree in Engineering, Public Health, Biological Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Medical Sciences preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

Minimum of 6+ years of relevant delivery of complex analytical projects in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry using market research and/or large patient or physician databases.

Knowledge in developing forecast models and extraction of forecasting insights.

Direct line management knowledge is preferred. The candidate should have experience building/leading high-performance teams comprised of other Directors, Associate Directors, Senior Specialists (Consultants, Senior Consultants, Analysts) and enabling successful teams. Demonstrated the ability to collaborate and direct with empathy and compassion.

Guiding diverse groups of work colleagues and positively manage ambiguity. Ability to lead cross functional pods.

Self-motivated, proactive, ability to work independently and collaborate seamlessly. Lead without authority.

Ability to comprehend business process and break down business questions into specific, tangible hypotheses and requirements to guide analysis. Excellent problem-solving skills with an appreciation for data oriented analytical methods.

Ability to operate in an unstructured environment and have strong organizational skills to create structure and clarity. Ability to work within a highly matrix environment and organize/ prioritize work efficiently and effectively to get things done.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

Therapeutic area knowledge (for the respective TA of oncology, vaccines, or pharma/rare).

Advanced forecasting experience including developing different types of models (patient-based, trend-based, etc.), developing advanced scenarios and simulations, and deeply understanding the nuances of modeling for the respective TA

Consultative business partner experience (either within a company or as a consultant)

Prior knowledge in functions that this person will be partnering closely with, including Marketing, Market Access, Finance, Market Research, Data Science, or Payer Analytics.

Coding experience in languages such as R, Python, SQL preferred.

Position location: Rahway, NJ (hybrid)NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders). Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission. Current Employees apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld) Current Contingent Workers apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$4020.htmld) 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 (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:EEOC Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088EEOCKnowYourRights1020.pdf) EEOC GINA Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp%20EnglishformattedESQA508c.pdf) We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas 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 (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/) 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, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or 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”.Under New York State, Colorado State, Washington State, and California State law, the Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education. Expected salary range: $181,600.00 - $285,800.00Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here (https://www.benefitsatmerck.com/) .Search Firm Representatives Please Read CarefullyMerck & 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: YesTravel Requirements: 25%Flexible Work Arrangements: HybridShift: Not IndicatedValid Driving License: NoHazardous Material(s): N/ARequired Skills: Forecasting Models, Forecasting TechniquesPreferred Skills: Job Posting End Date: 08/24/2024A 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. Job Posting End Date: 08/24/2024A 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. Requisition ID: R307037