Director, Pharma Media

Director, Pharma Media

Help lead media strategy and delivery across one of our fastest-growing areas of pharmaceutical work. In this hands-on leadership role, you'll own day-to-day media strategy for assigned accounts, build connected HCP and DTC audience plans, and serve as a trusted partner to both clients and internal practice leads. You'll bring the agility to adapt quickly in a changing industry, the sharp ability to connect media execution to real client goals, and the humility to collaborate seamlessly across cross-functional teams.
What you'll do:
Lead strategy & accounts: Own day-to-day media strategy development and client relationships for pharmaceutical accounts, focusing heavily on HCP audiences and integrated HCP/DTC programs.
Build audience & channel plans: Translate client business objectives into clear audience strategies, channel recommendations, activation priorities, and optimization plans across HCP and DTC segments.
Partner cross-functionally: Collaborate closely with MERGE's Applied Intelligence, Discoverability, Programmatic, and Social teams to deliver seamless, fully integrated media solutions and bring data insights directly into planning.
Guide campaign performance: Monitor active program performance, guide teams in translating data into actionable optimizations, and keep campaigns aligned with client objectives.
Drive business growth: Help identify organic growth opportunities by introducing clients to MERGE's differentiated offeringssuch as HCP + DTC Performance Link, HCP/DTC Maestro, and Decision-Back consultingwhile supporting new business pitches.
Develop talent & stay ahead: Guide and mentor junior team members while staying continuously current on pharma marketing shifts, HCP behaviors, AI, privacy, and emerging channels.
What success looks like: You'll elevate the strategic quality, rigor, and effectiveness of our pharma media work. Recognized as a sharp strategist and collaborative partner, you'll successfully connect audience, channel, performance, and data insights into impactful media programs that drive real results.
Who you are:
Experienced pharma strategist: You bring 7+ years of media experience, including meaningful depth in pharma marketing and HCP strategy. Oncology experienceespecially across integrated HCP and DTC programsis highly desired.
Agile & adaptable: You navigate multiple workstreams with ease and stay naturally curious about new channels, changing search landscapes, AI, and industry developments.
Data-comfortable: You have a practical understanding of how patient-level data, MMM, attribution, and experimentation inform smarter media planning. You don't need to build data models yourself, but you easily understand findings and apply them to strategic decisions.
Collaborative & humble: You are a dependable team player who loves working alongside analytics, measurement, and channel specialists to deliver unified, best-in-class work without letting ego get in the way.
Strong communicator: You excel at turning complex media and measurement concepts into simple, actionable recommendations for clients and internal partners alike.
Bonus background: Earlier hands-on execution experience in programmatic, paid search, SEO/GEO, or paid social is a great plus, but not required.
Location: This role may be based in any MERGE office location or performed remotely within the United States.
MERGE is proud to invest in benefits that include meaningful Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401K, Lifestyle Spending Account, Employer Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Flexible Time off & Holidays plus many other benefits and rewards.
MERGE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. MERGE welcomes and celebrates diversity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status or people with abilities. We believe that the more diverse we are, the more creative our work will be!