Director, Patient Innovation & Engagement - Digital Modernization & Grant Operations

Digital Modernization Director

Lead Transformation in Patient Engagement Through Digital Excellence. Seeking a dynamic and visionary Digital Modernization Director to lead the Patient Innovation and Engagement team (PI&E). This role is central to the PI&E mission of empowering patients and advancing advocacy initiatives. The ideal candidate will be a digital innovator with a passion for patient-centered work, ready to transform operations and drive measurable impact.

Responsibilities and Primary Activities

Assists the PI&E organization in discovering information hidden in data to make data-driven strategic decisions for the organization. Acts as a strategist and implementer and ensures streamlined activities within the team based on annual priorities and in alignment to V&I plans. Oversees the Grant Operations team and PI&E budget and is accountable for tracking and fiscal responsibility of the budget and uses data analytics to predict trends and allocate resources and budget appropriately throughout the year. Identifies appropriate data sources to address V&I and PI&E needs. Designs and develops analyses to draw inferences and conclusions to inform decision making for the team. Ensures high quality, rigorous, and readily interpretable deliverables. Develops data visualizations and presentation decks to communicate findings. Provides recommended actions with stakeholders from senior and executive leadership teams. Manages and coaches team members to transform data into dynamic, resonant stories, visuals, and other innovative, insightful presentation methods for internal V&I decision-making. Contributes to a collaborative environment. Keeps abreast of the latest trends in the field through continuous learning and proactively championing new methods to solve critical and emerging PI&E problems and drive PI&E activities. Leads substantial change initiatives with broad implications. Leads the execution of key initiatives. Identifies opportunities in key growth areas. Collaborates and partners with peers in other functions on cross-functional analytics projects, including data stewardship and governance. Drives efficiencies in developing innovative data enablement strategies and implementations. Manages external vendors.

Key Responsibilities

Digital Transformation : Spearhead the modernization of the team's workflows and processes by identifying, implementing, and optimizing cutting-edge digital solutions. Metrics & Performance Management : Develop and track meaningful metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure team effectiveness and program success. Budget Oversight : Manage the team's budget, ensure responsible allocation of resources, adherence to financial goals, ensure accountability across the team and timely reporting. Grant Operations Management : Oversees and manages Grant Operations team and processes with an emphasis on efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Streamline operations using digital tools and best practices. Grant Operation Manager : Oversees Team Lead and fosters growth and development by providing guidance, support, and opportunities for learning and advancement. Team Leadership & Change Management : Inspire and guide the PI&E team through digital change. Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement. Stakeholder Collaboration : Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to advance patient advocacy and engagement initiatives.

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

Minimum : Bachelor's degree (computer science, economics, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 10 years of relevant job experience -OR- Master's Degree (computer science, economics, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant job experience -OR- PhD (computer science, economics, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 3 years of relevant job experience. Demonstrated experience managing budgets and overseeing grants or similar operational processes. Demonstrated experience in advanced analytics, natural language processing (NLP), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, modelling. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Experience and strong business acumen in the pharmaceutical industry. Ability to translate complex ideas and analytical results into succinct, actionable insights and recommended actions. Strong presentation skills. Experience in building effective cross-functional partnerships and working across global teams. Ability to influence peers and leaders. Ability to effectively work at a strategic and detailed level. Entrepreneurial spirit with a high degree of initiative, innovative thinking, and intellectual curiosity. Strong business acumen and technical competence. High degree of personal integrity.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

Bachelor's degree (computer science, finance, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 15 years of relevant job experience OR master's degree (computer science, finance, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 10 years of relevant job experience OR PhD (computer science, finance, mathematics, actuarial science, or equivalent) with 5 years of relevant job experience. Experience in Global Medical Affairs, Patient advocacy or engagement or healthcare operations with at least 3 years in digital leadership role. Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Experience with visualization software such as Tableau, Spotfire, Qlik, or related. Proven track record of implementing digital solutions and driving organizational change. Strong analytical skills with experience in developing and tracking KPIs and metrics. Exceptional communication and leadership abilities. Passion for patient engagement and advocacy, with a commitment to improving patient outcomes through digital innovation.

Desired Skills

Expertise in digital platforms and tools relevant to healthcare or advocacy environments. Familiarity with data analytics, dashboard creation, and reporting technologies. Experience with financial management software and grant tracking systems. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Creative problem-solving and strategic thinking.

Required Skills

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Budget Management, Change Management, Computer Science, Digital Implementation, Federal Grant Writing, Grant Administration, Leadership, Machine Learning (ML), Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Patient Advocacy, Professional Networking, Strategic Thinking.

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. 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.

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, Monday - 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. The salary range for this role is $187,000.00 - $294,400.00. This 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 CV