Senior Specialist, Change Management & Communications

Job Description

The Senior Specialists' responsibilities include supporting internal communication and marketing strategies for the our Research & Development Division IT organization.  You will be an active partner, helping to elevate and communicate programs and initiatives focused on amplifying the value we are delivering to our business partners and making our Research & Development Division IT a place where people love to come to work and are enabled and inspired to do their best. You will work with people at every level to develop internal communication plans and materials that engage and educate our diverse employee population and support a culture of transformation.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Contribute to the development and implementation of comprehensive communication and marketing strategies that effectively bring to life the priorities and narrative of our Research & Development Division IT for our stakeholders.

• Serve as a strategic content developer, actively shaping and driving communication opportunities and alignment related to high-profile priorities and activities. Work towards effectively communicating with the relevant stakeholder groups.

• Develop engaging and concise written materials that support our communication strategies, incorporating creativity into the content.

• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders across the organization and Value Teams to gain a deep understanding of the value our products and solutions offer, and effectively communicate this value to our business partners.

• Identify and utilize metrics to define and assess the effectiveness of our communication efforts, ensuring continuous improvement.

• Ensure messaging is aligned with the company's vision, mission, and values, effectively translating the overall strategy into messages that resonate with employees at all levels.

• Constantly explore innovative ways for the function to provide strategic value and contribute to the organization's success.

• Ensuring integration of our branding, tone, brand standards, and style guidelines in all communications to maintain consistency and enhance brand recognition.

Required Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in Pharma Communications

• Communications Strategy: Strong experience in developing and implementing comprehensive communications strategies to support organizational goals and objectives.

• Change Management: Proven expertise in designing and implementing change management plans and strategies to support organizational change initiatives.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to effectively engage with various stakeholders at different levels of the organization, including executives, managers, and employees, to facilitate communication and manage expectations.

• Writing and Editing: Excellent writing and editing skills to create clear, concise, and impactful communications materials, such as memos, emails, presentations, and articles.

• Internal Communication: Experience in developing and executing internal communication plans, including managing company-wide announcements, newsletters, intranet content, and town hall meetings.

• Employee Engagement: Understanding of employee engagement strategies and the ability to develop initiatives that foster a positive and inclusive work culture.

• Project Management: Strong project management skills to manage communication and change management projects, including setting timelines, coordinating resources, and ensuring successful delivery.

• Digital Communication: Proficiency in utilizing digital communication channels, such as social media, intranets, and collaboration tools, to effectively reach and engage employees.

• Measurement and Evaluation: Knowledge of communication measurement techniques and the ability to assess the effectiveness of communication and change management initiatives through metrics and feedback.

• Relationship Building: A strong ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including executives, team members, and external partners, to establish credibility and support successful communication and change management efforts.

Education Minimum requirement:

• Bachelor's degree

Preferred Education:

• Masters degree

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.

Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders).  Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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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, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or 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.

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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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