📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Marketing
🔹 Company: MSD
🔹 Location: Mumbai, India (WeWork)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 24, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing comprehensive marketing plans for the cardiovascular (CV) portfolio
- Leading cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive execution of marketing strategies
- Conducting market research and competitive analysis to inform marketing strategies
- Conceptualizing and designing marketing content and campaigns
- Building relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) to foster advocacy
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in marketing, preferably in cardiology or related fields, with experience leading multimillion-dollar brands. Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills are essential.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Brand Planning: Formulate pre-launch strategies and marketing plans tailored to the asset, including market segmentation, value proposition, stakeholder engagement, and competitive analysis
✅ Marketing Execution: Drive monthly business reviews, oversee relationships with healthcare organizations (HCOs), and drive differentiated scientific education through International Speaker Programs (ISPs)
✅ Cross-Functional Leadership: Work alongside and lead cross-functional projects which include sales, medical affairs, and regulatory teams to ensure cohesive execution of marketing and pre-launch strategies
✅ Innovative Marketing Engagements: Conceptualize, plan, and implement novel marketing engagements in line with business needs, such as innovative HCP education, media, patient awareness, and disease awareness campaigns
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, creativity, and the ability to work effectively with various stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Master’s or higher (Business and/or Policy preferred)
Experience: Individuals with strong background in marketing (cardiology/critical care/rare diseases preferred) or experience leading marketing for multimillion-dollar brands/management consulting experience
Required Skills:
- Excellent organizational and project management skills
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrates behavior consistent with high integrity and strong values
- Experience with launching new products (preferred)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the pharmaceutical industry
- Fluency in multiple languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a background in marketing, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry, and experience leading cross-functional teams in diverse settings will be most successful in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: INR 25-35 LPA (Estimated, as salary information was not provided. This range is based on industry standards for a marketing director role in India with 5-10 years of experience.)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition assistance
- Generous time-off policies
Working Hours: Full-time, hybrid work arrangement with a flexible schedule
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a marketing director role in India with 5-10 years of experience. Actual salary may vary based on individual qualifications and company policy.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1891 (as Merck & Co., Inc.)
Company Description:
- At MSD, we use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.
- We are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.
- We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable, and healthy future for all people and communities.
Company Specialties:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Vaccines
- Animal Health
Company Website: www.msd.com
ASSUMPTION: MSD is a global healthcare company with a strong focus on innovation and improving patient outcomes. They offer a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for professional growth.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level management
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Business Unit Director
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on additional responsibilities and advance within the marketing department
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and gain exposure to different aspects of the business
- Chance to collaborate with and learn from experienced professionals across various functions
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a large, global organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work
Office Location(s): Mumbai, India (WeWork)
Geographic Context:
- Mumbai is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and is the most populous city in India
- The city is a major commercial and financial hub, with a thriving pharmaceutical industry
- Mumbai offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and dining options
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible schedule
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-depth behavioral and technical interviews
- Final round with the hiring manager
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing strategy and planning
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Communication and presentation skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant marketing experience and achievements in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and your fit with MSD's mission and values
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your marketing skills and leadership abilities
ATS Keywords: Marketing strategy, cross-functional leadership, brand planning, market research, competitive analysis, stakeholder engagement, product launch, healthcare professional engagement, market share analysis
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's marketing skills, leadership abilities, and cultural fit with MSD.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the marketing industry and can be learned or mastered with relative ease.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Quality
- Respect
- Integrity
- Collaboration
Work Style:
- Data-driven and strategic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Results-focused and accountable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment?
- Are you comfortable working collaboratively with cross-functional teams?
- Do you have a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and patient-centered care?
ASSUMPTION: MSD values employees who are innovative, quality-focused, respectful, integrity-driven, and collaborative. Candidates who can demonstrate these values and work styles will be a strong fit for the organization.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Balancing on-site and remote work effectively
- Navigating a large, global organization and building relationships with stakeholders across different functions
- Keeping up with the latest trends and developments in the pharmaceutical industry
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, effective communication, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Marketing Manager or Senior Marketing Manager position, but with additional leadership responsibilities and a focus on the cardiovascular portfolio
- Compared to other marketing roles in the pharmaceutical industry, this position offers a unique opportunity to work on a specific therapeutic area and drive marketing strategies for a diverse range of products
- Career progression in this role could lead to a Director or Vice President of Marketing position within the cardiovascular or another therapeutic area
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to specialize in a specific therapeutic area and gain valuable experience in marketing leadership.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a marketing plan for a new cardiovascular product launch
- Conducting market research and competitive analysis to inform marketing strategies for the entire cardiovascular portfolio
- Conceptualizing and designing marketing content and campaigns to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases and MSD's products
ASSUMPTION: These projects are representative of the types of initiatives the Associate Director, Marketing would be responsible for leading and executing.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the organization?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does MSD support the professional development and growth of its marketing employees?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
- How does MSD foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within its marketing department?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, allowing them to make an informed decision about the opportunity.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience and achievements
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your marketing skills and leadership abilities
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
