Director, Oncology Global Communications – Hematology

MSD Malaysia; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ, United States is seeking a Director of Oncology Global Communications – Hematology to manage day-to-day communications for the hematology portfolio under the Executive Director, Global Oncology Communications.

The role emphasizes data communications, regulatory milestones, and launch communications across multiple regions. The candidate will lead external communications strategies, collaborate with R&D, Investor Relations, and Commercial teams, and oversee

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years in communications/public relations in pharma or related industry.
• Experience in hematology/oncology product communications preferred but not required.
• Ability to translate complex scientific information into clear, compelling communications across mediums.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement integrated communications programs for the hematology portfolio and near-term launches.
• Provide strategic external communications support across portfolio including press materials and executive thought leadership.
• Lead planning and execution of communications with cross-functional partners (R&D, IR, Commercial, Policy, Market Access).
• Prepare crisis and issues management communications for the portfolio.
• Advise regions and subsidiaries on franchise/product communications issues.
• Interface with third parties and manage budgets; supervise hematology portfolio team member.

Skills

Brand Awareness

Content Creation

Crisis Communication Management

Digital Communications

Executive Presence

Internal Communications

Media Campaigns

Media Relations

Medical Communications

Public Affairs Strategies

Public Speaking

Social Media Strategies

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Director, Oncology Global Communications – Hematology

The role of Director, Oncology Global Communications – Hematology is a unique opportunity to join our company, a recognized leader in oncology, as a key member of the Oncology Global Communications team. The role is dedicated to managing day-to-day communications related to our company’s hematology portfolio. 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement integrated communications programs and strategies for our company’s hematology portfolio and near-term product launches, including five pipeline assets. Provide strategic external communications support across the hematology portfolio, including press releases, media materials, executive thought leadership, medical meeting communications, and social and digital content; heavy emphasis on data communications (scientific and data milestones, regulatory decisions and approval and launch communications).
• Lead strategic planning and execution of communications in partnership with cross-functional colleagues, including our Research & Development Division, Investor Relations, Commercial, Policy and Market Access. Responsible for developing and executing communication strategies to establish our company’s reputation in hematology, aligned with the company’s corporate narrative, Global Oncology business strategy and key business priorities.
• Anticipate issues and prepare crisis and issues management communications for the hematology portfolio in partnership with cross-functional colleagues.
• Develop and execute communications 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) to advance disease education and patient-centered communications programs. Work directly with public relations agencies and help manage related budgets. Manage direct report supporting our company’s hematology portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in a communications or public relations role within the pharmaceutical or a related industry (hospital, public health, etc.).
• Hematology/oncology product communications experience strongly preferred but not required.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills across a variety of mediums/channels (e.g., print, digital, presentation), with the demonstrated ability to develop clear, persuasive materials under time pressure.
• Experience leading disease awareness, product communications, scientific communications, and/or approval and launch landmarks in a regulated environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific information into clear, concise, and compelling communications and storytelling efforts across a variety of mediums (print, digital, social and visual) and audiences in both branded and unbranded communications.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to counsel and build trusted relationships with senior leaders and diverse cross-functional partners.
• Experience in proactive issues identification, scenario planning and issues or crisis management.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple tasks and competing priorities.
• Team player, collaborative spirit, ability to succeed in a fast‑paced, high‑visibility role.
• Budget and agency management experience.

Required Skills

• Brand Awareness
• Content Creation
• Crisis Communication Management
• Digital Communications
• Executive Presence
• Internal Communications
• Media Campaigns
• Media Relations
• Medical Communications
• Public Affairs Strategies
• Public Speaking
• Social Media Strategies
• Stakeholder Engagement

Preferred Skills

• Communications Strategy
• External Communication

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.

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.

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

10/21/2026

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 Rights EEOC GINA Supplement.

We 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.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

The salary range for this role is $173,200.00 - $272,600.00. 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.

More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.