Associate Director, Global Communications

Job Description

The role of Associate Director, Global Oncology Communications, is a unique opportunity to join our company, a recognized leader in oncology, as a key member of the Global Oncology Communications team. The role will support the creation and implementation of external communications strategies, plans and tactics related to our company’s broad oncology portfolio and pipeline assets. The candidate selected for this role will work under the guidance of the Director, Global Oncology Communications in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.

The position will be based in Rahway, NJ (USA) or Upper Gwynedd, PA (USA), with a Hybrid setup (combination of 3 days in-office & 2 days off-site/remote).

Primary responsibilities:

• Develop and implement integrated communications activities in support of our company’s oncology in-line products and Phase 3 pipeline assets, including one key external collaboration; heavy emphasis on data milestone communications (data releases, medical meeting communications) and regulatory milestones and approvals.

• Drive integrated editorial strategy to raise external awareness of late-stage oncology pipeline assets – through conducting meaningful, targeted communication outreach including social and digital channels that enhance the reputation of our Company. Include appropriate metrics and leverage with key audiences.

• Identify, develop and support unique storylines, media and thought-leadership opportunities to showcase our late-stage oncology pipeline assets that complement oncology narrative with key external stakeholders.

• Prepare and brief oncology leaders on message delivery, media engagement and external speaking opportunities.

• Develop and communicate strategies, programs and materials for use by our company’s regions and subsidiaries worldwide; help advise regions and subsidiaries for franchise and product communications issues.

• Serve as a liaison to third party groups (including advocacy organizations) and external experts (including researchers) and to trade and local news media.

• 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.

• Work directly with public relations agencies and help manage related budgets.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or life sciences field is required.

• Minimum five years’ experience in communications or public relations; healthcare and pharmaceutical experience at a global publicly traded company preferred.

• Experience supporting digital capabilities, data governance, and third-party data use, including ethical AI considerations

• Proven ability to conduct AI/digital risk assessments and implement mitigation controls and governance oversight

• Ability to develop and implement compliance policies, guidance, and cross-functional partnerships to enable compliant business execution

• Product communications experience – including managing communications for a high volume of data and regulatory milestones; product launch experience highly desirable.

• Candidate must have deep understanding of the biopharmaceutical industry, media landscape and possess strong business and financial acumen.

• Must have strong executive presence, excellent verbal and written communications skills and ability to work under tight deadlines with great attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaborate within a matrixed organization.

• Keen eye for detail, with demonstrated experience managing a high volume of communications through a medical/legal review board.

• Ability to handle crisis communications, provide long term strategic communications counsel and deliver on short-term communication tactics and objectives.

• Strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

• Team player, collaborative spirit, ability to succeed in a fast-paced, high-visibility role.

• Creative and passionate professional with experience in the development and implementation of integrated communications programs.

• Experience in internal and external communications, including executive communications and issues/crisis management.

• Follows communications trends and has proficiency with social and digital channels.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in supporting R&D or oncology communications

• Experience working with C-suite and senior level executives

• Budget and agency management experience

Required Skills:

Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceutics, Brand Awareness, Communication Management, Communication Strategy Development, Content Creation, Crisis Communication Management, Crisis Public Relations, Digital Channels, Establishing Contacts, Integrated Communication Strategies, Internal Communications, Marketing Capabilities, Media Monitoring, Media Relations, Pharmaceutical Biology, Policy Development, Project Management, Public Relations Consulting, Reimbursement Management, Social Media, Social Media Compliance, Special Event Planning {+ 2 more}

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:

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

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:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

07/8/2026

*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.