Job Description
Associate Director, Global Pharmaceutical Communications
The
Associate Director, Global Pharmaceutical Communications will be part of the Global Pharmaceutical Communications team and will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams on the development and activation of integrated, comprehensive communications strategies and programs in support of our Company's Global Pharmaceutical portfolio (cardio-metabolic, immunology, ophthalmology and respiratory assets and other hospital & specialty brands), including new assets acquired through strategic business development.
The Associate Director will work under the guidance of a Director on the Global Pharmaceutical Communications team. The role is based in either Rahway, NJ or Upper Gwynedd, PA as part of our hybrid work model.
Primary Responsibilities
- Strong collaboration with cross-functional teams to develop integrated communication strategies and campaigns aligned with the overarching corporate and franchise priorities.
- Co-develop campaigns and ongoing news flow to continually reinforce the value of our Company's medicines among employees, the public, scientific liaisons, investors, healthcare professionals, payers, and advocacy partners.
- Stay current on trends in consumer engagement, digital activation and media and pop culture around the world to engage in new approaches to reach consumers on important disease awareness initiatives.
- Monitor the competitive landscape, ecosystem and media environment to identify emerging issues relevant to assigned therapeutic areas and opportunities to position our emerging pipeline and portfolio.
- Co-lead communications around expansion of current product portfolio including communications for high priority medical meetings and new product launches.
- Manage public relations agency(ies) and related program budgets to implement best-in-class communications plans.
- Manage high volume of materials (press releases, social media content, core response documents, etc.) through medical and legal review process, developing strong and collaborative relationships with review boards.
- Identify opportunities for partnerships with key external organizations and experts in support of business and reputational goals.
Qualifications
- Minimum five years’ experience in communications or public relations; healthcare and pharmaceutical experience at a global publicly traded company preferred.
- Product communications experience – including managing communications for a high volume of data and regulatory milestones; product launch experience highly desirable.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills across various mediums/channels (e.g., digital, print, video) for U.S. and global audiences.
- Ability to confidently lead and provide strategic counsel to executives to support business goals.
- Ability to handle crisis communications, provide long term strategic communications counsel and deliver on short-term communication tactics and objectives.
- Ability to work successfully across teams and reporting structures in a matrix environment.
- Strong project management skills with proven success managing and executing major projects.
- Keen eye for detail, with demonstrated experience managing a high volume of communications through a medical/legal review board.
- Team player, collaborative spirit, ability to succeed in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.
- Leading traditional and social media and global communications programs.
- Excellent budget management skills; demonstrated ability to connect the dots across multiple agency partners.
Education Requirements
Required Skills
Brand Awareness, Communication Management, Communication Strategy Development, Content Creation, Crisis Communication Management, Digital Channels, Digital Consumer Engagement, Integrated Communication Strategies, Internal Communications, Media Monitoring, Media Relations, Project Management, Social Media Management, Special Event Planning
Preferred Skills
Campaign Development
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US And Puerto Rico Residents Only
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
Requirements
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.
The salary range for this role is
$126,500.00 - $199,100.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status
Regular
Relocation:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship
No
Travel Requirements
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements
Hybrid
Shift
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License
No
Hazardous Material(s)
NA
Job Posting End Date
01/19/2026
- A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID:R375531
