VP, Pharma Media

About the role

At MERGE, 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. As Vice President, Pharma Media, you will lead client strategy and media delivery across one of our fastest-growing areas of pharmaceutical work, driving HCP and DTC audience strategy, managing high-impact client relationships, and connecting smart media choices directly to commercial outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Drive Strategic Growth: Lead media strategy and senior client relationships for complex pharma accounts, keeping a primary focus on HCP audiences and integrated HCP/DTC programs.
• Shape Audience Strategy: Craft sophisticated audience strategies—including segmentation, channel roles, sequencing, and optimization—that turn client business goals into measurable media outcomes.
• Collaborate Across Practices: Partner with data and practice leads across Applied Intelligence, Discoverability, Programmatic, and Social to build fully integrated media plans and apply advanced measurement approaches (like MMM, attribution, and patient-level data) effectively.
• Expand Client Value: Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts by introducing MERGE’s differentiated offerings, such as HCP + DTC Performance Link, HCP/DTC Maestro, and Decision-Back consulting.
• Lead with Impact: Support new business pitches and mentor internal account/strategy teams, setting a high standard for strategic rigor, client service, and commercial growth.
• Stay Ahead of Trends: Maintain a strong pulse on emerging media channels, pharma marketing shifts, changing HCP behaviors, and evolving technology.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of media experience with substantial expertise in pharma marketing and HCP strategy. Experience spanning both HCP and DTC—as well as oncology—is a major plus.
• Agile & Adaptable: Continuously curious about the broader landscape—from AI and search to privacy and emerging channels—adapting approaches as client needs and technology evolve.
• Data-Fluent: Understand how advanced data, patient-level insights, MMM, and attribution models strengthen media decisions. Know how to ask the right questions, interpret results, and put data to work.
• Collaborative & Humble: Thrive in cross-functional environments, bringing together media, analytics, and activation specialists around a unified plan without letting ego get in the way.
• Clear Communicator & Commercial Thinker: Strong commercial instincts for account growth and the ability to distill complex media, audience, and measurement concepts into clear, persuasive stories for executive clients.
• Bonus Background: Prior hands-on experience in programmatic, paid social, search, SEO/GEO, or executing integrated HCP/DTC oncology programs is valuable, though not required.

This role may be based in any MERGE office location or performed remotely within the United States.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $159,000 - $190,800, based on the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, location, and other relevant factors.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• 401K
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Employer Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Flexible Time off & Holidays
• Many other benefits and rewards