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Merck Associate Director Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Provide direct supervision to Associate Scientists and/or Laboratory Assistants. Meet with direct reports to set goals, conduct regular one-on-one discussions with employees, ensure development plans ...

Merck Associate Director information

See Washington salary details

$34.5K

$116.3K

$195.9K

How much do merck associate director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for merck associate director in Washington is $116,349.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,300.00 and $159,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Merck Associate Director vs Merck Senior Manager?

CriteriaMerck Associate DirectorMerck Senior Manager
Required credentialsAdvanced degree (MBA, PhD), relevant industry experienceBachelor's or Master's degree, significant industry experience
Work environmentStrategic leadership, cross-functional collaborationOperational management, team oversight
Employer and industry usageCommon in pharmaceutical and biotech sectorsWidely used in similar sectors for mid-to-senior roles
Search and comparison intentHigh overlap in responsibilities and qualificationsSimilar level, often compared for career progression

The Merck Associate Director typically holds a more strategic, leadership-focused role requiring advanced degrees and extensive industry experience. In contrast, the Merck Senior Manager is more operational, overseeing teams and projects. Both roles are integral in pharmaceutical companies, with the Associate Director often preparing for executive leadership, while the Senior Manager manages day-to-day functions.

What does a Merck Associate Director do?

A Merck Associate Director typically oversees teams or projects within a specific department, such as research, marketing, or regulatory affairs. They are responsible for developing strategies, ensuring compliance with company and regulatory standards, and achieving departmental goals. Associate Directors often manage budgets, mentor staff, and collaborate with other leaders to drive business objectives. Their role is critical in advancing Merck’s mission and maintaining high performance across their area of responsibility.

Why is Merck laying off so many employees?

Merck Associate Directors, like other roles within the company, may experience layoffs due to restructuring, cost-cutting measures, or shifts in strategic priorities. Such decisions are typically driven by market conditions, financial performance, or organizational changes to improve efficiency and competitiveness.

How much does an associate director at Merck make?

An associate director at Merck typically earns between $130,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and specific department. Compensation may also include bonuses, stock options, and benefits, reflecting senior-level responsibilities and leadership roles within the company.

What are some common challenges faced by an Associate Director at Merck, and how can candidates prepare to address them?

As an Associate Director at Merck, one common challenge is balancing strategic leadership with hands-on project management, especially in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment. You'll often need to coordinate cross-functional teams and align diverse stakeholders, so strong communication and organizational skills are key. Candidates should be prepared to navigate shifting priorities, regulatory changes, and tight deadlines while ensuring alignment with Merck’s mission and compliance standards. Proactively building knowledge in pharmaceutical regulations and stakeholder management can help you succeed in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Merck Associate Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Merck Associate Director, you typically need a relevant advanced degree (such as in life sciences, business, or a related field), substantial industry experience, and strong leadership capabilities. Familiarity with regulatory compliance systems, data analysis tools, and project management software is often required, along with any specialized certifications pertinent to the business area. Strategic thinking, effective communication, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for driving business objectives, ensuring regulatory adherence, and fostering effective team collaboration within a complex corporate environment.

Is it hard to get a job at Merck?

Securing a position as a Merck Associate Director can be competitive due to the company's reputation and rigorous hiring process. Candidates typically need relevant experience, advanced degrees, and strong leadership skills, along with a thorough interview process. Preparation and a solid professional background improve the chances of success.

Is an associate director a high level position?

An Associate Director is considered a senior-level position within organizations like Merck, often responsible for managing teams and overseeing projects. It typically requires significant experience, leadership skills, and industry knowledge, making it a high-level role in the corporate hierarchy.
What are popular job titles related to Merck Associate Director jobs in Washington? For Merck Associate Director jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Merck Associate Director jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Merck Associate Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Merck Associate Director job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,349 per year, or $55.9 per hour.
Oncology Key Account Manager - Mid-Atlantic

Oncology Key Account Manager - Mid-Atlantic

Merck & Co.

Washington, DC

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Merck rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Job DescriptionThe Associate Director, Oncology Key Accounts is the main point of contact for Our Company with large Oncology group practices and integrated delivery networks that have a focus on Oncology and Hematology. They play a crucial role in establishing Our Company as an industry leader, supporting healthcare partners and providers, improving patient health outcomes, and becoming a trusted resource. This is a field-based account management position that will have responsibility for accounts in the Mid-Atlantic geography, which includes Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. The selected candidate should live within the geography.Primary Activities & Responsibilities include and may not be limited to the following:Leadership:Builds and maintains trust with colleagues, stakeholders, and customers through effective communication, integration, and collaboration.Ability to lead through challenging and ambiguous situations while ensuring that deadlines and objectives are met, by effectively prioritizing tasks based on urgency, impact, and resource availability.Ability to influence others and lead without authority during complex situations, fostering collaborative problem-solving and reaching consensus. Experience in navigating multiple teams or stakeholders to achieve common goals.Clinical Proficiency:Understands applicable product portfolio to provide approved disease and product information to key decision makers and stakeholders within account(s).Leads Our Company's efforts to maximize appropriate utilization of its portfolio while bringing resources to customers that contribute to better outcomes for patients.Understanding of external quality initiatives with the ability to clearly align and tailor response to customer's needs using approved Company resources and messages.Understand all aspects of treatment decision factors, including but not limited to knowledge of pathways, protocols, sites of care, guidelines or quality initiatives.Business Acumen:Utilizes internal data and data analytics to understand account performance and identify opportunities for appropriate engagement.Knowledge of account ecosystem and current emerging market and business trends impacting assigned accounts. Develop and pull-through a coordinated and longitudinal account plan.A deep understanding of the unique dynamics of the business to business (B2B) market, including the various factors that influence buying decisions, such as competitive landscape, industry trends, and economic conditions.- Ability to utilize approved messages and resources with appropriate healthcare business partners (HBPs) across the account.Coordinate across a network of local account teams to ensure contract pull-through and address local requests for contract terms or conditions.Operational/Account Management:Establishes strategic approach to the account in alignment with approved guidance from the marketing teams.- Aligns brand strategy and tactics with customer needs and business objectives to improve patient health outcomes.Builds trust and relationships with key decision makers and stakeholders and influencers to understand their objectives, goals, and challenges. Identifies approved resources that align with the customer's needs. Develops a thorough understanding of all entry access points and knowledge of stakeholders who influence and operationalize access for the entire enterprise.Uses approved tools to capture, share and appropriately communicate internally about the customer. Qualifications: Required:Bachelor's Degree or a minimum of high school diploma with at least 4 years of relevant work experience which could include: professional sales, experience in marketing, military, or healthcare/scientific field (pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical devices)Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in healthcare, life sciences industry, sales, account management or managed careValid Driver's LicenseAbility to build and develop meaningful customer relationships with senior healthcare executives and key opinion leadersDemonstrated financial acumen with ability to communicate value proposition and negotiate, if applicableStrong understanding of healthcare ecosystemExcellent interpersonal and communication skills, internally and externally, with ability to interact with individuals from a variety of cultures and disciplinesStrong leadership skills and ability to collaborate in cross-functional, matrix organizationsAbility to travel ~50%Preferred:Advanced degreeLocal market relationships and customer knowledgeCurrent account management experience in large Oncology group practices and integrated delivery networks that have a focus on Oncology and HematologyRequired Skills: Account Management, Account Management, Biopharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceutics, Brand Strategy, Clinical Studies, Collaborative Leadership, Commercial Account Management, Confidential Data Handling, Contract Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Data Analysis, Financial Acumen, Hematology, Immunotherapy, Interpersonal Relationships, Marketing, Marketing Capabilities, Oncology, Oncology Marketing, Operational Delivery, Pharmaceutical Biology, Product Knowledge, Quality Initiatives, Strategic Management {+ 2 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:EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement• 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.Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts The salary range for this role is $190,800.00 - $300,300.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this 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 .You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting. 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: RegularRelocation:No relocationVISA Sponsorship:No Travel Requirements: 50%Flexible Work Arrangements:RemoteShift:Not IndicatedValid Driving License:YesHazardous Material(s):n/aJob Posting End Date:07/31/2026 *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. Requisition ID:R408034 Salary: . Date posted: 07/17/2026

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