Director, AI Communications Strategy

Merck; New Jersey; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck seeks a Director of AI Communications Strategy to shape and steward the enterprise AI narrative across R&D, Commercial, Manufacturing, IT, and Talent. This role aligns AI investments, capabilities and impact with the company strategy and reputation.

The successful candidate will translate complex AI topics into human-centered storytelling, advise senior leaders, and drive an integrated external and internal comms program across a highly matrixed global organization.

Qualifications

• Seasoned strategic communications leader with ability to translate complex AI topics into human-centered narratives.
• Experience advising senior leaders on AI positioning, messaging and reputation.
• Ability to influence across a highly matrixed global organization.
• Strong storytelling capabilities and executive communication skills.
• Collaborative across Global Communications and enterprise partners to align AI priorities.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead enterprise AI narrative and communications strategy across R&D, Commercial, Manufacturing, IT, Talent and other areas.
• Develop and drive integrated AI communications aligned with company priorities, purpose and reputation.
• Establish messaging frameworks for AI ambition, progress and impact across functions.
• Counsel executives on AI positioning, risk, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead external storytelling, media engagement and executive positioning for AI initiatives.

Job description

Job Description

Overview

At our company, we use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes how we discover, develop, manufacture and deliver medicines and vaccines, how we communicate our AI strategy and progress is critical to building understanding, trust and engagement.

The Director, AI Communications Strategy will lead the development and stewardship of our company's enterprise AI narrative , connecting AI and agentic initiatives across Research & Development, Commercial, Manufacturing, IT, Talent and other areas into a clear, cohesive and compelling story.

This role will take a multi-channel, enterprise-wide approach , shaping how our AI ambitions, investments, capabilities and impact are communicated across internal and external audiences. The Director will ensure individual AI initiatives ladder up to a consistent enterprise narrative that reinforces our company's strategy, purpose and reputation.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned strategic communications leader who can connect complex and rapidly evolving topics across the enterprise, translate them into human-centered narratives, and advise senior leaders on how to communicate AI credibly and consistently. This individual will bring strong judgment, exceptional storytelling capabilities and the ability to influence across a highly matrixed global organization.

The Director will work collaboratively across Global Communications and in close partnership with Strategy, IT, Research & Development, Commercial, Manufacturing, Talent, Change Management, Learning & Development and other enterprise partners to align priorities and ensure a cohesive communications approach.

This individual will report to the Executive Director, IT Strategic Communications, and will be part of the Global Employee and Executive Communications team.

Scope of work and core responsibilities

Enterprise narrative and communications strategy

• Own and lead the overarching enterprise AI narrative , creating a cohesive story that connects AI priorities and initiatives across Research & Development, Commercial, Manufacturing, IT, Talent and other areas of the business.
• Develop and drive an integrated enterprise AI communications strategy for internal and external audiences, aligned with our company's strategic priorities, purpose and reputation.
• Establish enterprise messaging frameworks that articulate our AI ambition, approach, progress and impact while allowing individual businesses and functions to adapt the narrative appropriately for their audiences.
• Serve as a senior strategic communications counselor to executives and enterprise leaders, advising on AI positioning, messaging, reputation and stakeholder engagement.
• Bring together communications leaders and cross-functional partners across the organization to identify enterprise stories, align priorities and create a coordinated approach to AI communications.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen differentiation and reinforce our Company's leadership and reputation through strategic AI communications.
• Apply external insights, stakeholder perspectives and emerging AI trends to continuously strengthen the enterprise narrative and communications strategy.
• Establish measurable communications objectives and evaluate effectiveness, engagement and reputation impact.
• Provide strategic communications counsel related to emerging AI issues, opportunities and reputational considerations.
• Manage agency partners, resources and budgets as appropriate.

Executive thought leadership and external reputation

Develop an integrated external storytelling and thought-leadership strategy that positions our company's approach to AI within the broader healthcare, technology and scientific landscape.

Identify and develop distinctive enterprise stories demonstrating how AI supports innovation and advances Our Purpose.

Lead communications strategies for high-impact external opportunities, including media engagement, executive speaking opportunities, industry forums, and other reputation-building platforms.

Counsel and prepare senior leaders for external engagements, including messaging, briefing materials, executive positioning and media preparation.

Partner across Global Communications to ensure external AI storytelling supports the broader corporate reputation strategy.

Internal narrative, engagement and change

Translate the enterprise AI narrative into an internal communications strategy that helps employees understand where the company is going with AI, why it matters and their role in the transformation .

Create storytelling strategies that connect individual AI initiatives to the broader enterprise journey and demonstrate tangible impact across the business.

Partner with Talent, Change-Management, Learning & Development and AI learning teams to support AI adoption, capability building and cultural change.

Equip communicators and leaders with messaging, narratives, t