Associate Director, Global Oncology Communications
Merck
August 20, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Medical Affairs
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and implement integrated communications activities for oncology in-line products and Phase 3 pipeline assets, emphasizing data milestone (data releases, medical meeting) and regulatory milestones/approvals.
- Drive integrated editorial strategy to raise external awareness of late-stage oncology assets via targeted outreach (social/digital), including metrics and key-audience leverage.
- Identify/develop storylines and thought-leadership opportunities; showcase pipeline assets with external stakeholders.
- Prepare and brief oncology leaders on message delivery, media engagement, and external speaking.
- Create and communicate strategies/materials for regions/subsidiaries worldwide; advise on franchise/product communications issues.
- Liaison with advocacy organizations, external experts (researchers), and trade/local news media.
- Manage high-volume content (press releases, social content, core response docs) through medical/legal review; build relationships with review boards.
- Work with PR agencies and help manage budgets.
Minimum Required Experience and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or life sciences.
- 5+ years in communications/PR (healthcare/pharma at a global public company preferred).
- Product communications experience with high-volume data/regulatory milestones; product launch highly desirable.
- Deep biopharmaceutical industry/media understanding; strong business/financial acumen.
- Executive presence; excellent verbal/written skills; detail-oriented; able to meet tight deadlines.
- Independent and matrix collaboration; strong project management.
- Crisis communications; strategic counsel and short-term tactics.
- Experience with internal/external communications, including executive and issues/crisis management; proficiency with social/digital trends.
Preferred Experience and Skills
- R&D or oncology communications experience.
- Experience working with C-suite/senior executives.
- Budget and agency management experience.
Application Instructions
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (application deadline stated on the posting).
- Develop and implement integrated communications activities for oncology in-line products and Phase 3 pipeline assets, emphasizing data milestone (data releases, medical meeting) and regulatory milestones/approvals.
- Drive integrated editorial strategy to raise external awareness of late-stage oncology assets via targeted outreach (social/digital), including metrics and key-audience leverage.
- Identify/develop storylines and thought-leadership opportunities; showcase pipeline assets with external stakeholders.
- Prepare and brief oncology leaders on message delivery, media engagement, and external speaking.
- Create and communicate strategies/materials for regions/subsidiaries worldwide; advise on franchise/product communications issues.
- Liaison with advocacy organizations, external experts (researchers), and trade/local news media.
- Manage high-volume content (press releases, social content, core response docs) through medical/legal review; build relationships with review boards.
- Work with PR agencies and help manage budgets.
Minimum Required Experience and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or life sciences.
- 5+ years in communications/PR (healthcare/pharma at a global public company preferred).
- Product communications experience with high-volume data/regulatory milestones; product launch highly desirable.
- Deep biopharmaceutical industry/media understanding; strong business/financial acumen.
- Executive presence; excellent verbal/written skills; detail-oriented; able to meet tight deadlines.
- Independent and matrix collaboration; strong project management.
- Crisis communications; strategic counsel and short-term tactics.
- Experience with internal/external communications, including executive and issues/crisis management; proficiency with social/digital trends.
Preferred Experience and Skills
- R&D or oncology communications experience.
- Experience working with C-suite/senior executives.
- Budget and agency management experience.
Application Instructions
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (application deadline stated on the posting).