Assoc. Dir., Specialty & Pharma Communications

Job Description

The Associate Director, Specialty & Pharma Communications will be part of the Specialty & Pharma 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 Specialty & Pharma portfolio (cardio-metabolic, immunology, ophthalmology and respiratory assets and other hospital & specialty brands), including potential new assets acquired through strategic business development.

The Associate Director will work under the guidance of a director on the Specialty & Pharma 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.
• Support communications around expansion of current product portfolio and new product launches.
• Manage public relations agency 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 (agency or in-house) strongly preferred.
• Background in pharmaceutical product communications – including managing communications for a high volume of data and regulatory milestones ‒ 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 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.
• Skilled at leading traditional and social media and global communications programs.
• Excellent budget management skills, demonstrated ability to work across multiple agencies.

 

Education requirements:

• Minimum of a BA required

Required Skills:

Audience Development, Audiovisual Communications, Business Influence, Communications Measurement, Communication Tools, Content Strategy, Crisis Communication Management, Crisis Management, Digital Communications, Media Relations, Multichannel Communications, Research Development, Social Media Content Creation, Video Production Editing, Visual Communications

Preferred Skills:

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.

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:

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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.

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The salary range for this role is

$129,000.00 - $203,100.00

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):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

06/26/2026

*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.