Associate Director Global Brand Name Development

Associate Director Global Brand Name Development

Join Merck as an Associate Director in Global Brand Name Development to drive end‑to‑end brand name strategy for Human Health pipeline and business development assets. You will lead naming strategy, oversee trademark approval processes, coordinate with internal marketing, regulatory, and legal teams, and manage vendor relationships.

• Lead the development of worldwide naming strategy for Human Health assets to optimize and obtain trademark approval in time for health authority submissions.
• Manage regulatory submission and rejection strategies for global, regional, and local brand names, partnering with internal regulatory colleagues to prepare trademark submission documents.
• Oversee the multi‑year process for generating, developing, and evaluating global trademark candidates across all Human Health pipeline and business development assets.
• Lead cross‑functional teams through the development and submission process.
• Partner with trademark attorneys to ensure brand names are legally viable.
• Apply patient safety‑based principles to all aspects of name development.
• Synthesize evaluation results to provide final name recommendations to commercial teams and upper management.
• Provide leadership, support, and expertise to country marketing and regulatory organizations for pipeline and licensing trademark needs.
• Build knowledge of country‑specific regulations related to trademark development to become a subject matter expert.
• Educate colleagues on the trademark development process to build company‑wide awareness and reinforce appropriate trademark usage.
• Monitor global trademark‑related regulatory and legal issues through industry conferences and meetings.
• Support IT updates and enhancements to trademark applications and databases.

Bachelor's degree (B.S./B.A).

• Minimum 8 years in biopharmaceutical or equivalent experience.
• Experience collaborating and influencing across Marketing and other teams, building consensus across geographic boundaries.
• Project management experience with ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, problem‑solving, teamwork, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient presentation skills.
• High learning agility in new subject areas.

• At least 2 years of experience in pharmaceutical brand name development with knowledge of regulatory guidelines and trademark registration processes.
• Experience interacting with internal regulatory colleagues in filing documents with health authorities.
• Process optimization experience to deliver work on time and within regulations.
• Ability to develop relationships with external vendors and industry experts.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.

Rahway, NJ

Salary range: $ – $. Eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive if applicable.

Comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. More information available at

Hybrid: 3 days on site (Mon‑Thu), 1 day remote (Fri) for U.S. office‑based positions. Policy does not apply to field‑based, facility‑based, or remote‑only roles.

Merck is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements.

Apply before the posting end date: 01/20/2026.