Communications Manager

MSD; Ireland; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD is seeking an experienced Communications Manager for a one-year fixed-term contract to lead product communications, above-brand campaigns and disease awareness initiatives across Ireland. The role focuses on strategic engagement with leadership and cross-functional teams to protect reputation and support product launches.

The ideal candidate will have strong stakeholder management, healthcare communications experience, and the ability to navigate a complex environment with digital and media

Qualifications

• Degree in journalism, media, health, politics or life/social sciences or equivalent experience.
• Advanced degree or professional PR qualification desirable.
• Minimum 6 years’ experience in corporate and/or product communications.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/health PR environments preferred.
• Proven track record delivering strategic, multi-channel campaigns.
• Strong digital and social media experience.
• Established network across healthcare, patient advocacy and media in Ireland preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver integrated communications programmes aligned with Ireland priorities and disease awareness.
• Design and implement multi-channel above-brand campaigns supporting franchise and product objectives.
• Advise commercial teams on communications strategy for current and future therapy portfolios.
• Build and maintain relationships with patient groups, healthcare organisations, professional bodies and media.
• Represent the organisation in external engagements, policy forums and industry events.
• Provide strategic counsel to cross-functional teams and senior leaders.
• Partner with market access, medical, regulatory, government affairs and commercial functions.
• Monitor external environment and manage risks and opportunities.
• Ensure activities comply with IPHA code and company policies.
• Establish KPIs and reporting frameworks to demonstrate impact.

Skills

Communication strategy

Education

Bachelor-level degree or equivalent

Advanced PR qualification

Job description

An exciting opportunity for an experienced communications professional to join the team as Communications Manager on a one-year fixed-term contract. This role will lead product communications, above-brand campaigns and disease awareness initiatives across the therapy area portfolio in Ireland, aligned with business priorities, patient access objectives and the wider healthcare communications environment.

This is a strategic role, working closely with local leadership and cross-functional therapy area teams to build and protect the organisation’s reputation, support product launches, contribute to policy-shaping activities and deliver impactful communications to external stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will be a creative, strategic communicator with strong stakeholder management skills, experience engaging patient groups and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-moving healthcare environment. Experience in digital communications and media relations is desirable.

Please note if you would like to apply for this role internally it can be offered as a Career Progression Assignment.

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation to carry out the following:

• Develop and deliver integrated communications programmes aligned with Ireland priorities, raising awareness of disease burden and the value of innovation.
• Design and implement multi-channel above-brand and disease awareness campaigns supporting franchise, product and broader communications objectives.
• Advise the commercial business on communications strategy for the current and future therapy area portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including patient groups, healthcare organisations, professional bodies and media.
• Represent the organisation in external engagements, policy forums and industry events.
• Provide strategic counsel to cross-functional teams and senior leaders.
• Partner with internal teams across market access, medical, regulatory, government affairs and commercial functions.
• Monitor the external environment, identify risks and opportunities, and manage issues proactively.
• Ensure all activity is compliant with the IPHA industry code, company policies and ethical standards.
• Establish KPIs and reporting frameworks to demonstrate impact.

Skills and education you will bring:

• Degree qualified, or equivalent experience, preferably in journalism, media, arts, health, political or life/social sciences.
• Advanced degree or professional PR qualification desirable.
• Minimum 6 years’ experience in corporate and/or product communications.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare or health PR agency environments preferred.
• Proven track record in delivering strategic, multi-channel communications campaigns.
• Strong digital and social media experience.
• Established network across healthcare, patient advocacy and media stakeholders in Ireland preferred.

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process.

Required Skills:

• Communication Strategy Development, Communications Writing, Content Creation, Digital Media Strategy, Event Management, Graphic Design, Healthcare Policies, Media Relations, Multichannel Communications, Public Speaking, Research Development, Social Media Management, Strategic Advisory, Strategic Planning, Video Production

Preferred Skills:

• Marketing strategy, digital marketing, patient engagement strategy, digital strategy, social media

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:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid