Associate Director, Brand Strategy (Pharma)

MERGE•Chicago, IL

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

At MERGE, we are Built Different. We are a marketing and technology agency purpose-built for the intersection of health and wellness—where human impact matters most. By weaving storytelling through technology, we move beyond traditional engagement to Whole Human Marketing. This approach recognizes that humans are multidimensional and complex, and uses AI to ensure every brand interaction feels natural, contextual, and relevant. This commitment to human-first innovation is what brings us together and propels us forward. We are united by our North Star: to unite people and brands to empower healthier, happier lives. Emerge to the Top of Your Career At MERGE, we strive to create a superior work experience where talented and ambitious people grow. An experience that encourages people to think higher and feel deeper. An experience where people engage their minds and hearts to do the best work of their careers. As our Associate Director, Brand Strategy in Pharma & Rare Disease you will… Leverage your marketing expertise in high-science disease states to lead and innovate across key strategic areas. You will serve as the engine of our strategic process - partnering with teams to define and segment complex audiences (HCPs, Patients, and Caregivers), map journeys, and identify and shape high-impact market opportunities. Your ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable narratives will drive tangible business results for our clients

Requirements

Experience: 7+ years of professional experience, with at least 2+ years in an agency or consultancy
Pharma/Rare Disease Focus: Proven ability to apply strategic principles across complex disease states and everyday chronic conditions, navigating the unique regulatory and emotional landscapes of rare disease marketing, while having a clear grasp of mainstream pharma marketing principles
Storytelling Mastery: Demonstrated ability to marry data with storytelling, presenting a compelling vision to clients that inspires investment and creative excellence
Strategic Fluency: Mastery of the modern strategist's toolkit, including audience definition, segmentation, and the authoring of insightful briefs
Executive Presence and Communication Skills: Strong ability to consult with senior clients and lead cross-functional teams with exceptional communication skills
Thrives in change: Motivated by adaptability, demonstrates a strong entrepreneurial spirit

Responsibilities

Strategic Execution: Work independently to drive the development of a range of deliverables, ranging from audience segmentation and brand foundations to strategic plans. You will define and craft these deliverables within the context of both strategy-led projects and broader integrated agency work
Research & Data Synthesis: Drive the development of specific research elements and lead interviews (where applicable) and the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to build an expert understanding of the client’s business, market, and customer base. Use these insights to independently uncover the "human truths" that fuel both brand and creative strategies while supporting the creation of high-impact strategic solutions
Presentation & Storytelling Mastery: Expertly shape and integrate storytelling into client-facing deliverables, marrying complex data with persuasive narratives to support brand goals. You will convincingly present a full range of strategic outputs and support team members in developing their own storytelling skills
Workshop Facilitation: Contribute to and lead client workshops (e.g., brand brainstorms or strategic work sessions), utilizing platforms like Miro to foster collaborative problem-solving
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Consistently identify opportunities to partner across different strategy roles and the wider MERGE organization to maximize client value. You are expected to foster this collaborative, growth-oriented mindset among junior strategy personnel
AI & Innovation: Maintain proficiency with AI-driven strategic tools and proprietary platforms to enhance research efficiency and validate brand hypotheses. Demonstrate consistent curiosity regarding new technologies and offerings within MERGE that can enhance client work