Associate Director, Communications – France

MSD; Beaucouzé; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. (MSD) seeks Associate Director, Communications – France, a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the France AH communications strategy in alignment with global brand.

The role reports to EURAM AH Communications lead and collaborates across markets to translate business priorities into effective communication strategies that support growth, adapt to evolving market needs, and strengthen visibility and influence in France and the EURAM region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or a related field.
• Significant experience in corporate communications, public affairs, or related strategic communications roles.
• Proven track record of leading communications in a complex, matrixed, and multinational environment.
• Strong experience advising senior leaders and managing high-priority internal and external communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French and English.
• Demonstrated ability to energize a team, organize events, influence stakeholders, manage priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the France communications strategy in alignment with global and regional priorities.
• Serves on the market Leadership Team
• Ensure consistent messaging and storytelling that reflects the global Animal Health brand and strategic narrative.
• Strengthen the company’s external reputation through proactive, high-impact communications with key stakeholders and key channels through earned and owned media.
• Drive internal communications and employee engagement initiatives that support the global AH strategic framework and foster a strong, connected culture.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to business leaders in France, helping shape communication approaches that support organizational objectives.
• Prioritize communications activity to ensure resources are deployed to the most business-critical initiatives and audiences.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including leadership, commercial, public affairs, HR, and regional communications, to ensure integrated and effective communication plans.
• Support management of issues, opportunities, and high-sensitivity communications with sound judgment and strategic insight.
• Ensures adherence to standard global communications practices for media relations, employee communications, reputation management, compliance and issues management;
• Works directly with PR agencies and manages related product budgets to implement comprehensive communications plans for all business units and supporting divisions – with thoughtful long term approach.
• Monitor market trends, stakeholder needs, and reputational risks to inform communications strategy and execution.
• Measure and report on the effectiveness and impact of communications campaigns and activities.

Skills

Brand Awareness

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Leadership and coaching

Internal engagement

Crisis communication

Content creation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Job description

Job Description

The Associate Director, Communications – France is a critical leadership role responsible for leading and executing the Animal Health (AH) communications strategy for the France market, one of the top five AH strategic markets in the Europe, Russia, Africa and Middle East region (EURAM). This role ensures alignment with the global Animal Health story and brand, enhances external reputation, and drives strong internal engagement across the market in support of the global AH strategic framework.

The communication leader for France reports to EURAM AH Communications lead and takes part to the EURAM strategy for communication in a collaborative approach.

As a trusted strategic partner to the business, the role translates business priorities into effective communication strategies that support growth, adapt to evolving market needs, and strengthen the organization’s visibility and influence across France and the broader region. The role also ensures that communications resources are focused on the highest-value opportunities to maximize business impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the France communications strategy in alignment with global and regional priorities.
• Serves on the market Leadership Team
• Ensure consistent messaging and storytelling that reflects the global Animal Health brand and strategic narrative.
• Strengthen the company’s external reputation through proactive, high-impact communications with key stakeholders and key channels through earned and owned media.
• Drive internal communications and employee engagement initiatives that support the global AH strategic framework and foster a strong, connected culture.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to business leaders in France, helping shape communication approaches that support organizational objectives.
• Prioritize communications activity to ensure resources are deployed to the most business-critical initiatives and audiences.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including leadership, commercial, public affairs, HR, and regional communications, to ensure integrated and effective communication plans.
• Support management of issues, opportunities, and high-sensitivity communications with sound judgment and strategic insight.
• Ensures adherence to standard global communications practices for media relations, employee communications, reputation management, compliance and issues management;
• Works directly with PR agencies and manages related product budgets to implement comprehensive communications plans for all business units and supporting divisions – with thoughtful long term approach.
• Monitor market trends, stakeholder needs, and reputational risks to inform communications strategy and execution.
• Measure and report on the effectiveness and impact of communications campaigns and activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or a related field.
• Significant experience in corporate communications, public affairs, or related strategic communications roles in communication;PR agency experience is a plus.
• Proven track record of leading communications in a complex, matrixed, and multinational environment.
• Strong experience advising senior leaders and managing high-priority internal and external communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French and English.
• Demonstrated ability to energize a team, organize events, influence stakeholders, manage priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in PR / communication agencies in an international set up.
• Experience in the animal health, healthcare, pharmaceutical, or other regulated industry.
• Experience working across France and/or EURAM markets.
• Strong understanding of brand, reputation management, employee engagement, and stakeholder communications.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and allocate resources for maximum business impact.
• Understanding the regulatory environment in which the Animal Health industry operates

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Executive communication and influence
• Stakeholder management
• Business acumen
• Brand and reputation management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Change communication
• Judgment and prioritization
• Leadership and coaching
• Internal engagement / event organization.

Required Skills

Brand Awareness, Brand Awareness, Business Communications, Campaign Measurement, Communication Campaign, Communication Management, Communication Plan Development, Communications Planning, Communications Programs, Communication Strategy Development, Content Creation, Crisis Communication Management, Digital Channels, Enterprise Leadership, Industry Trend Analysis, Internal Communications, Long Term Planning, Market Development, Market Dynamics, Marketing Capabilities, Marketing Communications Planning, Market Trend Analysis, Media Monitoring, Media Relations, Policy Development {+ 9 more}

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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Job Posting End Date: 10/20/2026*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.