Launch & Brand Associate – Vaccines

Job Description

Role Purpose

Support the successful planning, preparation, and execution of vaccine launches by driving cross-functional coordination, generating strategic insights, and ensuring launch readiness across key business functions. This role is designed as a high-potential talent development opportunity, providing exposure to commercial strategy, launch excellence, and brand management within a dynamic vaccines portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Launch Excellence

Support the development and execution of launch plans for new vaccines, indications, and portfolio expansion opportunities.

Coordinate launch readiness activities across Commercial, Medical, Market Access, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Finance, and Legal teams.

Partnering with the launch team to following up launches milestones, risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans.

Strategic Commercial Support

Conduct market, customer, and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and risks.

Generate actionable insights to support strategic decision-making.

Monitor launch performance and key business indicators.

Support forecasting, business case development, and strategic planning activities.

Brand Support

Assist in the implementation of brand initiatives aligned with launch priorities.

Support the development of promotional materials and customer engagement initiatives (i.e. events).

Collaborate with agency partners and internal stakeholders to ensure flawless execution.

Education

Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, Industrial Engineering, Life Sciences, Healthcare-related fields or equivalent.

Preferred:

Master’s degree or specialization in Marketing, Business, Healthcare Management, or Analytics.

Experience

Required:

1–3 years of professional experience.

Experience in Marketing, Commercial Operations, Business Analytics, Consulting, Project Management, or related areas.

Demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional environments.

Preferred:

Pharmaceutical, vaccines, biotechnology, healthcare, or FMCG experience.

Exposure to product launches or strategic projects.

Experience supporting commercial planning and execution.

Technical Skills

Required:

Strategic and analytical thinking

Project management

Business analytics and data interpretation

Market intelligence and competitive analysis

Financial acumen

Advanced PowerPoint and Excel

English proficiency (written and verbal)

Preferred:

Experience with Power BI, IQVIA, Veeva, or similar tools is a plus

Leadership Capabilities

Learning Agility

Collaboration and teamwork

Stakeholder management

Ownership and accountability

Results orientation

Adaptability and resilience

Strong communication and presentation skills

Ability to influence without direct authority

Ideal Candidate Profile

A high-potential professional with strong analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for innovation. The individual thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex business challenges, and is motivated to build a future career in pharmaceutical marketing, launch excellence, and commercial strategy.

Why This Role Exists

To build a strong pipeline of future commercial and marketing talent while accelerating launch readiness and execution for strategic vaccine growth opportunities.

Required Skills:

Biotechnology, Biotechnology, Brand Management, Budget Development, Business Case Development, Business Data Analytics, Business Decisions, Change Management, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Clinical Trial Management, Customer Engagement, Data Analysis, Digital Marketing, Feasibility Studies, Life Science, Marketing, Office Tools, Pharmaceuticals Marketing, Project Management, Project Management Tools, Project Planning, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Strategic Insights, Strategic Planning {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees applyHERE

Current Contingent Workers applyHERE

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:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

Job Posting End Date:

07/20/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the dayBEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the dayBEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID: R407226