Associate Director, Global Oncology Communications

Merck; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ is seeking an Associate Director, Global Oncology Communications to lead external communications strategies for the oncology portfolio and pipeline assets.

You will collaborate with the Executive Director and a fast-paced Global Oncology Communications team in a hybrid work setting (3 days in-office, 2 remote). You will drive data milestone communications, editorial strategy, and media engagement while guiding regions and subsidiaries on franchise communications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or life sciences required.
• Minimum five years’ experience in communications or public relations; healthcare/pharma at a global company preferred.
• Experience with data-driven product communications and regulatory milestones desirable.
• Strong executive presence and ability to work under tight deadlines with high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement integrated communications activities for oncology products and pipeline assets, including data milestones and regulatory milestones.
• Drive editorial strategy to raise external awareness of late-stage oncology assets and manage media outreach.
• Identify and develop storylines, media and thought-leadership opportunities to support oncology narratives.
• Prepare briefings for oncology leaders on message delivery, media engagement and external speaking.
• Communicate strategies and programs for regions and subsidiaries worldwide; advise on franchise communications.
• Serve as liaison to third party groups, advocacy organizations, researchers and trade media.
• Manage high volume of materials through medical and legal review processes and build strong review-board relationships.
• Collaborate with public relations agencies and help manage related budgets.

Skills

Executive presence

Media relations

Crisis communications

Project management

Digital channels

Internal communications

Strategic communications

Oncology communications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or life sciences

Job description

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 Executive Director, Global Oncology Communications in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.

The position will be based in Rahway, NJ 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, 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.

Minimum Required Experience And Skills

• 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.
• 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 communication 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

Agency Management, Agency Management, Brand Awareness, Business Metrics, C‑Level Management, Communication Management, Communications Planning, Communication Strategy Development, Competency Management, Content Creation, Crisis Communication Management, Digital Channels, Executive Presence, Internal Communications, Marketing Capabilities, Media Monitoring, Media Relations, Medical Affairs, Oncology, Policy Development, Product Communications, Product Rollouts, Project Leadership, Regulatory Affairs Management, Regulatory Management {+ 10 more}

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.

Requirements

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 RightsEEOC GINA SupplementWe 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

Salary

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.

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

08/27/2026

• 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.

Requisition ID: R413677