Associate Director, Global Vaccines Communications (Hybrid - NJ or PA)

Job Description

The Associate Director, Vaccines Communications will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams on the development and activation of integrated, comprehensive communications strategies and programs in support of our Company'sU.S. and global vaccines business, with priority focus on RSV and new products.

The Associate Director will report to the Director, Vaccines Communications – New Products. The role can be based at our Company’s headquarter site in Upper Gwynedd, PA or Rahway, NJ. We offer a Hybrid setup (a combination of 3 in-office days per week and 2 days remote/offsite).

We welcome cover letters to be included in your application.

Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collaborate with communications, policy, medical affairs, research and commercial teams to support the development and execution of integrated communications strategies and programs in support of our Company and its vaccines business, with priority focus on RSV and new products.

• Lead and/or support development and execution of comprehensive internal and external communications plans and campaigns around key product and awareness milestones in the U.S. and globally, including collaborating with external organizations where appropriate.

• Strengthen awareness and activation among key audiences of the importance of vaccination through targeted content and channel strategies across social and digital platforms, executive speaking engagements, third party engagement opportunities and media engagement.

• Elevate our Company’s legacy and continued leadership role in vaccines through the development and maintenance of core communications materials (e.g., messaging, slide decks, videos, social media copy, etc.).

• Keep a pulse on the external environment through ongoing social listening and media monitoring and lead and/or support development and execution of issues mitigation and issues management plans in coordination with cross-functional colleagues.

• Provide support in offering strategic counsel and crafting leadership communications for senior leaders, including support in coordinating key external speaking engagements, preparing and executing internal town halls, drafting broad internal emails and elevating senior leaders’ presence on social media.

• Facilitate timely review of internal and external communications materials in compliance with our Company’s review processes.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationship with agency partners and manage program budgets to effectively implement communications plans.

• May help supervisor, coach and mentor interns within group

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree with five or more years of experience in communications/public affairs or a related field.

• Candidates who have a master’s or advanced degree, along with experience in vaccines, pharmaceuticals or health care industry preferred.

Qualifications:

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

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with proven experience developing communications for various mediums/channels (e.g., traditional and social media, digital, print, video) and for diverse U.S. and global audiences (e.g., senior leaders, internal colleagues, patients/consumers, HCPs, external stakeholders, etc.).

• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with cross-functional colleagues across levels and geographies in a highly matrixed environment.

• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively pivot as needed to address issues and/or shifting priorities.

• Strategic and detail-oriented, excellent project management skills and proven success developing and executing strategic communications plans that support business and/or reputational goals.

• Interest in and passion for public health and prevention and in developing communications that can help raise awareness, trust and acceptance of vaccination.

• Excellent agency management skills.

• Excellent budget management 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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  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 diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas 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 Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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. 

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