Job Description

Position Summary

Our Company is establishing a brand-new, high-performing Immunology Marketing Team dedicated to bringing innovative therapeutic options to patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). We are seeking two (2) dynamic, collaborative, and highly strategic marketing professionals to join this team during its critical pre-launch and launch preparation phases.

The ideal candidate brings strategic marketing approach in Gastroenterology/Immunology (IBD) and a strong track record of commercial marketing and launch readiness planning excellence. In this role, you will lead the strategic positioning of our upcoming IBD therapy, formulate multi-year business plans and patient-based sales forecasts, map patient journeys, and orchestrate cross-functional launch activities. While deep therapeutic area knowledge of IBD is important, prior experience in driving pharmaceutical product launches and commercial forecasting will make you a highly competitive candidate.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Launch & Brand Strategy Development

·  Formulate and execute a comprehensive, insight-driven brand launch and commercial strategy for our upcoming IBD portfolio based on qualitative, quantitative insights.

·  Define brand positioning, patient segmentation, targeting, value propositions, and core clinical marketing messages.

2. Business Plan Formulation & Sales Forecasting

·  Develop and manage comprehensive, patient-flow-based sales forecasts and operating expense budgets across short-term, mid-term, and long-term brand lifecycles.

·  Formulate comprehensive Annual Business Plans, Long-Range Operating Plans (LROP), and senior management presentations.

·  Collaborate closely with Finance and Sales Leadership to validate commercial assumptions, stress-test sales projections against competitive dynamics, and implement proactive countermeasures when variances occur.

3. Product Launch Readiness & Operational Excellence

·  Lead and track the operational Launch Readiness Plan, identifying critical path dependencies, managing milestones, and conducting cross-functional scenario planning.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

·  Serve as the central commercial point of integration and alignment across a cross functional environment, partnering closely with Medical Affairs, Market Access, Regulatory, Clinical Development, and Field Sales.

5. Global & Regional Collaboration (Early Launch Market)

·  Collaborating with stakeholders at Global and Regional brand forums, ensure Japan-specific customer and patient insights are incorporated into the Global Brand Plan, and adapt global launch assets and best practices to the local Japanese healthcare environment.

6. Patient Support Programs (PSP) Planning

·  In the course of branding strategy discussion, map the end-to-end patient journey to identify clinical, access, and emotional barriers. Plan, design, and drive patient-centric support programs (PSPs) and program tools to enhance adherence and overall patient experience.

7. Omnichannel Campaign & Content Creation

·  Develop and implement an integrated omnichannel promotional plan across digital and field channels. Oversee external advertising and digital agencies to ensure timely delivery of high-quality promotional materials, objection-handling guides, FAQs, and symposium content.

8. External Stakeholder & Commercial KOL Engagement

·  Develop and maintain strategic, scientific relationships with Commercial Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), medical societies, and academic groups to capture scientific trends and market insights.

9. KPI Tracking & Performance Analytics

·  Establish clear commercial KPIs for pre-launch readiness and post-launch uptake. Regularly track, analyze, and report brand performance metrics to identify emerging risks and market opportunities.

10. Compliance & Risk Management

·  Ensure all commercial operations and promotional activities rigorously comply with the internal compliance standards, JPMA codes of practice, Fair Competition Codes, and local regulatory requirements.

Required Skills, Competencies, and Experience

1. Experience Requirements

·  Core Marketing Foundation: Pharmaceutical or healthcare industry brand marketing experience, displaying strong strategic planning and commercial acumen.

·  Therapeutic Area Expertise: Solid commercial, marketing, or scientific experience within the Immunology or Gastroenterology (specifically IBD) therapeutic areas is important.

·  Business Planning & Forecasting Acumen: Demonstrated hands-on experience in building pharmaceutical sales forecasts, budget management, and business planning.

·  Launch Experience (Preferred / Highly Valued): Experience in new product launch preparation, launch readiness management, or leading major indication expansions is highly preferred but not mandatory.

2. Skills & Competency Requirements

·  Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Proven ability to translate complex clinical data, epidemiological trends, and market research into robust forecasting models and actionable commercial strategies.

·  Cross-Functional Influence: Demonstrated capability to lead, influence, and build consensus across cross-functional matrix teams without formal reporting authority.

·  Project & Process Management: Strong ability to manage multiple complex workstreams, agency deliverables, and strict launch timelines with agility.

.

3. Language & Education

·  Japanese: Native or Fluent level (essential for Japan KOL engagement, medical society interactions, and agency management).

·  English: Capable of active participation in global teleconferences, presenting local business plans, and negotiating local asset needs with global teams.

· Education: Bachelor’s degree required. A degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, Economics, or Business Administration (MBA) is preferred.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Brand Management, Brand Marketing, Brand Measurement, Brand Performance, Brand Positioning, Brand Strategy, Business Planning, Content Creation, Creativity, Cross-Functional Leadership, Customer Insights, Digital Consumer Engagement, Digital Marketing, Forecasting Models, Gastroenterology, Marketing Materials, Market Research, Market Segmentation, Multidisciplinary Teamwork, Omnichannel Marketing, Patient Support Programs, Pharmaceutical Sales {+ 7 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

07/31/2027

*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.