Director Communications Clinical Trials
Merck
June 25, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Corporate Functions
Reporting to: Research and Development Division Communications
Location/Work: Rahway, NJ (Hybrid; not fully remote)
This Role Is Responsible For the Following:
- Lead strategic communications and project management for community engagement events and activations to educate on the importance of representation in clinical trials.
- Lead customized communication strategies to support priority clinical trial programs (CV, HIV, infectious diseases, immunology, oncology, neuro, vaccines) to enable timely recruitment and align to Action Plans and FDA draft guidance.
- Generate awareness and education about clinical trials among underrepresented populations via targeted communications using paid, earned, owned, and shared media.
- Lead collaborations with global stakeholders to integrate clinical trials communications into strategic planning.
- Analyze data and optimize targeted communications tactics.
- Lead agency/vendor strategy implementation across priority clinical trial programs and community events/activations.
- Manage health literacy and legal/regulatory/compliance reviews.
- Manage patient advocacy group and community-based organization agreements/activations.
- Lead thought leadership communications for senior leaders within Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO).
- Manage budget across programs.
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree required.
- 8–10 years communications experience in bio/pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.
- 2–5 years agency experience.
Required Skills/Experience:
- Managing tight deadlines; community event/activation experience.
- Collaborate with internal/external stakeholders; manage multiple tasks; strong organization/analytical/interpersonal skills.
- Work independently; problem solve; strong oral/written communication and analytical skills.
- Detail-oriented, highly organized, self-starter; positive/proactive.
Preferred:
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical business.
- Bilingual in Spanish.
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (application deadline per posting).
Location/Work: Rahway, NJ (Hybrid; not fully remote)
This Role Is Responsible For the Following:
- Lead strategic communications and project management for community engagement events and activations to educate on the importance of representation in clinical trials.
- Lead customized communication strategies to support priority clinical trial programs (CV, HIV, infectious diseases, immunology, oncology, neuro, vaccines) to enable timely recruitment and align to Action Plans and FDA draft guidance.
- Generate awareness and education about clinical trials among underrepresented populations via targeted communications using paid, earned, owned, and shared media.
- Lead collaborations with global stakeholders to integrate clinical trials communications into strategic planning.
- Analyze data and optimize targeted communications tactics.
- Lead agency/vendor strategy implementation across priority clinical trial programs and community events/activations.
- Manage health literacy and legal/regulatory/compliance reviews.
- Manage patient advocacy group and community-based organization agreements/activations.
- Lead thought leadership communications for senior leaders within Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO).
- Manage budget across programs.
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree required.
- 8–10 years communications experience in bio/pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.
- 2–5 years agency experience.
Required Skills/Experience:
- Managing tight deadlines; community event/activation experience.
- Collaborate with internal/external stakeholders; manage multiple tasks; strong organization/analytical/interpersonal skills.
- Work independently; problem solve; strong oral/written communication and analytical skills.
- Detail-oriented, highly organized, self-starter; positive/proactive.
Preferred:
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical business.
- Bilingual in Spanish.
Application:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (application deadline per posting).