How MSD develops early talent into leading-edge careers

A career at global healthcare company MSD is an opportunity to make a real difference, helping to fight some of the world’s most challenging diseases.

It’s part of the reason Charlotte Smith, Grainne Donlan, David Kennedy and Sadbh Hegarty (above) all recently joined MSD. And it is the same reason Tipperary native Matt Maher remains there, having been recruited more than two decades ago.

The organisation wants to retain its talent and, as such, creates numerous opportunities to climb the career ladder.

Maher, for example, studied food science before undertaking a master’s in microbiology at University College Cork. Today he is associate vice-president operations and plant manager at MSD’s Brinny site in Cork, a role he took up in 2020. He is also a member of MSD Ireland’s leadership team, where he is charged with mentoring newcomers.

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MSD Brinny specialises in the commercialisation and manufacture of novel vaccines. “My role leading the site is very diverse, that is what I really enjoy about it,” he says. “No two days are the same.”

Maher is a strong advocate for offering opportunities to what MSD calls “Early Talent” – new recruits joining the pharma industry for the first time – and has been appointed an Early Talent Ambassador. That means ensuring all new arrivals get the same holistic and comprehensive understanding of the pharma sector that he enjoyed.

“When I first joined MSD 20 years ago, I remember being struck by the sense of commitment to patient care and medical innovation,” he says. “As an employee, you have tangible opportunities to be at the forefront of projects that bring real industry change and are able to collaborate with our sites across the world to identify medical innovations that have a lasting and tangible impact.”

Employees at MSD Brinny collaborate nationally with the company’s other Irish sites as well as internationally through the global MSD network.

A massive draw is the emphasis on learning and development - no matter your level, you are given room to innovate and learn

“It is hugely rewarding to have that diversity in your work every day. Another massive draw is the emphasis on learning and development - no matter your level, you are given room to innovate and learn,” says Maher.

Within the MSD group, MSD Brinny is a leading facility for the development, testing and manufacturing of new vaccines. The plant has a successful legacy of developing and commercially supplying innovative biotech products, including some of MSD’s most successful treatments for cancer care, hepatitis C and rheumatoid arthritis. The plant currently specialises in the manufacture of innovative novel vaccines and the testing of immuno-oncology medicines.

There are a broad range of areas and opportunities available within the organisation for those with a background in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM). And as you’d expect from a modern life science company, candidates with a wide variety of skills and qualifications are sought out. But certain personal characteristics are required as well.

“I’d say curiosity and determination, and a strong interest in shaping the future of patient-led innovation,” Maher says. “We want people who strive to improve the way we operate and make things better, and who are inspired by our mission to enhance the lives of patients around the world.”

In return, MSD offers a people-centric culture that puts employees at the heart of everything it does, with particular focus on a range of programmes for its early talent cohort

“It’s difficult for students at third-level to truly understand what it’s like to work in pharma. Many students may think pharma is only about working in a lab every day, but it is so much more than that,” says Maher.

The early talent programmes provide hands-on, practical experience across different areas of the business, ensuring these new recruits acquire a deep understanding of the sector.

“Our MSD Ireland early talent programme has a unique offering,” he says. “As a company with six Irish sites covering the broad spectrum of pharma operations, participants get a strong insight and practical experience of the industry.” This includes extensive and progressive graduate, internship and apprenticeship programmes, plus summer student and transition year placements.

“We also offer a wide range of early talent job opportunities that will provide the next generation with hands-on, practical experience and mentorship from top experts in the industry,” Maher adds.

Mentorship has been a critical aspect in my career. There have been several mentors throughout my career who have supported me at different stages

Cutting-edge technologies and practices are used across all its sites in Ireland. Successful candidates of its graduate programme can avail of interdepartmental rotations across different areas of the business, broadening their skillset and gaining practical experience.

Early talent is supported with tailored mentoring from senior leaders across all areas of its Irish business. That is something Maher feels passionate about.

“Mentorship has been a critical aspect in my career. There have been several mentors throughout my career who have supported me at different stages. Now, as a business leader I’m able to provide mentorship to others and help share some of the learnings and knowledge I’ve acquired over the last 20 years.”

And it works both ways, Maher says. “In my working life I have also had the opportunity to participate in our ‘reverse mentoring’ programme, where I have the chance to learn from our young talent as they take on the role of my mentor.”

Early talent at MSD benefits from development supports and learning opportunities. Each site has a “learning lead” who is responsible for onboarding new employees, and all sites work together to ensure its an integrated, standard process. It means employees joining the company, at Brinny or MSD’s sites in Carlow, Meath, Tipperary or Dublin, all receive the same experience.

While many talented graduates feel the need to leave Ireland to progress their careers, they can tap into a global network of opportunity right here at home at MSD.

“We actively encourage networking for our early talent programme participants. A dedicated team, MSD Links, runs coffee morning catch-ups, career presentations, virtual training classes and fun ice-breakers, so everyone feels involved and engaged,” Maher says.

“We are dedicated to ensuring our new starts getting some all-important face-to-face engagement, networking, learning and training. The early talent programmes are also a great opportunity to build networks with like-minded individuals starting out in their career in pharma.”

This year, in recognition of the importance of cross-collaboration and engagement among its early talent team, the group ran its first ever graduate welcome day. Participants on the national graduate programme congregated in MSD Carlow for a workshop and team-building exercise.

The early talent programme also recently ran a summer get-together for interns from across MSD’s Irish sites for a barbecue and a chance to share experiences from their placements at the different MSD locations. Dara Lovern, Jason Zhang and Akhil Benny, seen from left to right in the story’s lead shot above, all enjoyed the hospitality, the chance to meet up and socialise which helps build collegiate relationships.

After all the virtual meet-ups forced by the pandemic, Maher says, “It was great to see teams coming back together and enjoying the buzz of being back together again.”

If you want to be part of MSD’s Early Talent Programme, click here