Associate Director, R&D and Business Development Communications
Merck
August 25, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Corporate Functions
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement integrated communications to showcase R&D early pipeline from discovery through Phase 3 and elevate scientific profile.
- Lead/support early pipeline communications across Therapeutic Areas (data milestones, medical congresses, executive visibility, internal communications, social media); prepare for potential issues.
- Drive integrated editorial strategy using targeted social/digital communications with appropriate metrics.
- Develop creative content for key targets/pathways aligned to priority TAs to reinforce the pipeline narrative.
- Create communications strategies/materials for business development deals and collaboration announcements; coordinate with partners on plans, tactics, and timing.
- Identify and support storylines, media, and thought-leadership opportunities with external stakeholders.
- Brief R&D leaders on message delivery, media engagement, and external speaking opportunities.
- Partner with Global Media Relations, Product Communications, and Investor Relations to align R&D initiatives.
- Establish measures of success and evaluation tools; work with PR agencies and manage related budgets.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or life sciences (required).
- 5+ years communications/PR experience in scientifically driven communications (agency or corporate).
- Strong executive presence; excellent written/verbal skills; detail-oriented; able to meet tight deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and in a matrixed organization.
- Strong biopharmaceutical industry, media landscape, and business/scientific/financial acumen.
- Ability to understand complex scientific data and develop audience-specific communications.
- Strong project management; juggle multiple priorities.
- Experience with internal/external communications including executive communications and issues/crisis management.
- Proficiency with social/digital channels.
Preferred:
- R&D/pipeline communications experience.
- Experience with C-suite/senior executives.
- Budget and agency management.
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (deadline listed on posting).
- Develop and implement integrated communications to showcase R&D early pipeline from discovery through Phase 3 and elevate scientific profile.
- Lead/support early pipeline communications across Therapeutic Areas (data milestones, medical congresses, executive visibility, internal communications, social media); prepare for potential issues.
- Drive integrated editorial strategy using targeted social/digital communications with appropriate metrics.
- Develop creative content for key targets/pathways aligned to priority TAs to reinforce the pipeline narrative.
- Create communications strategies/materials for business development deals and collaboration announcements; coordinate with partners on plans, tactics, and timing.
- Identify and support storylines, media, and thought-leadership opportunities with external stakeholders.
- Brief R&D leaders on message delivery, media engagement, and external speaking opportunities.
- Partner with Global Media Relations, Product Communications, and Investor Relations to align R&D initiatives.
- Establish measures of success and evaluation tools; work with PR agencies and manage related budgets.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or life sciences (required).
- 5+ years communications/PR experience in scientifically driven communications (agency or corporate).
- Strong executive presence; excellent written/verbal skills; detail-oriented; able to meet tight deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and in a matrixed organization.
- Strong biopharmaceutical industry, media landscape, and business/scientific/financial acumen.
- Ability to understand complex scientific data and develop audience-specific communications.
- Strong project management; juggle multiple priorities.
- Experience with internal/external communications including executive communications and issues/crisis management.
- Proficiency with social/digital channels.
Preferred:
- R&D/pipeline communications experience.
- Experience with C-suite/senior executives.
- Budget and agency management.
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (deadline listed on posting).