Executive Merck Darmstadt Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Your Role:

As part of the extended Strategy, Portfolio Management and Hubs LT, the Director, R&D Strategy Development, R&D Competitive Intelligence & Communication serves as a strategic partner responsible for translating complex scientific and R&D information into clear, compelling, board-ready strategy narratives and executive presentations including but not limited to the Research and Development Committee.

Combines scientific depth, consulting-style problem solving, competitive intelligence capability and advanced storytelling and presentation creation skills to support R&D strategy, Business Development (BD) discussions and senior leadership decision making.

Uses AI-enabled tools to accelerate competitive landscape checks, synthesize dense information, generate storyboards and drives rapid creation of polished executive-ready content.

Key accountabilities include:

• Translating dense scientific content into coherent Board and senior-executive storylines; developing visually engaging slide decks, infographics, timelines, schematics and data visuals; managing timelines, feedback cycles and version control across multiple projects; and preparing speaker notes, pacing and presentation flow where required.
• Creating reusable and branded templates; partnering with relevant experts and leaders across the Healthcare organization, including but not limited to researchers, scientists, Business Development, Global Program Heads, Program Management Lead, program teams and communications specialists to ensure scientific accuracy and strategic clarity
• Create CI Summaries for Research and Development in collaboration with Commercial CI leveraging AI and deliver insights for informed decision making. Deliver key insights for R&D program planning in preparation for decision points.

Financial Dimension:

• No direct P&L responsibility identified; indirect financial impact through improved quality and speed of R&D and BD decision support, competitive intelligence synthesis, governance materials and executive communication.
• Drive insights for program business case development and analytics

Strategic Impact:

• Enable senior leaders and governance bodies to enhance R&D and BD decision-making by converting scientific complexity, competitive context and strategic implications into crisp, actionable narratives.
• Strengthen enterprise-level communication of R&D strategy, innovation, portfolio opportunities and external partnership logic through consistent, high-quality executive presentations.
• Improve organizational speed and consistency by building reusable visual assets, slide templates and AI-enabled approaches for recurring strategy and competitive intelligence needs.

The complexity of this role stems from the need to integrate highly technical scientific content, competitive intelligence, portfolio considerations and senior-leadership expectations into clear, actionable strategy narratives. The role operates across multiple interfaces without direct authority, requiring strong judgment, rapid synthesis and the ability to align diverse stakeholders under time pressure. It also demands the ability to balance strategic depth with executive-level simplicity, ensuring that complex R&D and BD topics are translated into materials that support high-quality decision-making.

Management of People:

• Individual contributor role with no direct people management currently specified.
• Expected to lead workstreams, coordinate cross-functional input and influence senior stakeholders without formal authority.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant scientific or medical discipline (PhD, MD, or equivalent) required/preferred based on final leveling; additional MBA or business qualification is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in consulting, strategy, business development, or comparable business-facing roles is required, complemented by exposure to pharmaceutical, life sciences, or R&D environments. Experience engaging senior stakeholders and participating in executive-level discussions is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to convert complex scientific and R&D concepts into executive-level presentations, visuals, briefs, infographics and data-driven narratives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Mastery of visual storytelling, slide architecture, typography, color theory, layout, data visualization and executive communication.
• Advanced proficiency of utilization of AI for landscape analysis, content generation, story flow, data analysis, competitive intelligence checks and rapid storyboard development.
• Advanced proficiency with PowerPoint and modern slide/design tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, AlphaSense, Keynote, Google Slides, Figma, Illustrator, InDesign or equivalent.
• Strong collaboration, prioritization and communication skills; able to operate effectively under pressure and iterate rapidly based on changing business needs.

Location: Billerica MA

Pay Range for this position: $200,800 - $301,300

The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information click here.