Merck & Co, Inc

Associate Director, Community Engagement Team Lead - West

Merck & Co, Inc • $173K — $272K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
  • 5+ years experience in pharmaceutical/biotech or community engagement
  • Demonstrated leadership or support of field-based teams
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to drive execution and manage multiple priorities
  • Experience engaging with community stakeholders and advocacy organizations

Responsibilities

  • Evaluate engagement effectiveness using data and feedback
  • Lead community engagement activities aligned to priorities
  • Collaborate with leadership on planning and execution
  • Identify and support training and development across the team
  • Guide tactical engagement plans through segmentation
  • Leverage community insights to enhance engagement approaches
  • Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements

Benefits

  • Flexible remote work arrangements
  • Opportunity for national travel up to 75%
  • Focus on professional development and team capabilities
  • Work within a strategic and impactful organization
  • Engagement in community-focused health initiatives
Full Job Description
Job Description

Role Summary
  • The Associate Director, Community Engagement Team Lead position resides in the Value & Implementation (V&I) organization, which includes Global Medical and Scientific Affairs as well as Outcomes Research.
  • This role is responsible for leading and enabling a team of Community Engagement Specialists (CES) to execute community engagement across priority advocacy ecosystems, including patient advocacy organizations (PAOs), community-based organizations (CBOs/NGOs), and allied healthcare networks.
  • The Associate Director / Manager serves as a critical link between field execution and organizational strategy, ensuring consistent, compliant, and high-quality engagement aligned to enterprise priorities and community needs.
  • The role focuses on translating strategy into field execution, strengthening team capabilities, and ensuring the structured capture, synthesis, and communication of insights related to access, barriers to care, and community priorities.


Responsibilities and Primary Activities

People Leadership & Team Development
  • Use data, field observations, and qualitative feedback to evaluate engagement effectiveness and identify opportunities for continuous improvement, including standardized insight capture and reporting approaches
  • Lead and support execution of community engagement activities aligned to organizational and ecosystem priorities
  • Partner with PI&E leadership in preparation, planning, and integration related to disease awareness, community engagement, and execution
  • Identify and prioritize training, coaching, and development needs across the CES team
  • Guide field-based segmentation and targeting activities, including oversight of tactical engagement plans and KPIs
  • Leverage community insights and engagement data to identify trends, unmet needs, access barriers, and opportunities to enhance engagement approaches
  • Ensure consistent utilization of execution resources, including playbooks, tools, and standardized operating procedures (SOPs)
  • Establish and maintain bi-directional communication between CES field teams and headquarters to ensure alignment and visibility of community insights
  • Plan, coordinate, and lead team engagements including meetings, strategy discussions, and training calls
  • Ensure all engagement activities comply with legal, regulatory, and non-promotional requirements
  • Utilize reporting tools and dashboards to monitor engagement performance and support decision-making
  • Identify and communicate opportunities to evolve and optimize community engagement models and field execution approaches


Travel:
  • Up to 75% travel required for external engagements, conferences, and regional meetings.


Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Minimum
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
  • Minimum of 5+ years pharmaceutical/biotech experience in a related role -AND/OR- community engagement, patient advocacy, or public health experience
  • Demonstrated experience leading or supporting field-based teams
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Proven ability to drive execution and manage multiple priorities
  • Experience engaging with community stakeholders, advocacy organizations, or related groups
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
  • Experience contributing to health-related, community-based, or engagement-focused initiatives


Preferred
  • Experience within HIV working with patient advocacy organizations, community-based organizations, or healthcare-related community ecosystems
  • Familiarity with health, access, and community engagement dynamics
  • Experience coaching, mentoring, or developing field-based team members
  • Experience supporting training, onboarding, or capability-building initiatives
  • Familiarity with agile or evolving field engagement models


Required Skills:
Community Advocacy, Community Engagement, HIV AIDS, Infectious Disease, Leadership, Medical Knowledge, Patient Relations, Public Health, Scientific Communications, Scientific Exchange, Stakeholder Engagement

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
75%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Remote

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
Yes

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
08/26/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

About Merck & Co, Inc

Schering-Plough Corporation is a major U.S.-based manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. It operates in three segments: Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Consumer Health Care. Schering-Plough develops products targeting on allergy, cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory system, and more.  It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. Schering-Plough manufactured several pharmaceutical drugs, the most well-known of which were the allergy drugs Claritin and Clarinex, an anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin, and a brain tumor drug Temodar. It also developed drugs targeting on central nervous system and the respiratory system. Schering Plough also owned and operated the major foot care brand name Dr. Scholl's and the skin care line Coppertone. These also became a part of the new company. Schering-Plough was a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a membership which is also maintained by the new Merck.

Merck & Co, Inc Careers

Join the visionary team at Merck & Co, Inc, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing the world of medicine. As part of our professional community, you'll find dynamic job opportunities that foster innovation and leadership across various fields. Merck & Co, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can make a difference.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck & Co, Inc, we are committed to improving global health through groundbreaking research and innovative healthcare solutions. Our team is at the forefront of developing new therapies and vaccines that significantly impact public health worldwide. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to contribute to projects that save and improve lives around the globe.

Explore Career Paths

Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a professional position, Merck & Co, Inc offers a range of career paths in environments that promote rapid professional growth and development. Explore job opportunities in research, digital transformation, manufacturing, and more, all while benefiting from a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

Innovate and Lead

Merck & Co, Inc is an ideal environment for those who lead with curiosity and the drive to innovate. Our leadership is committed to fostering a culture where inventive thinking and collaboration are encouraged, making it a perfect place for professionals who seek to make an impact through their work.

Develop Your Skills

With Merck & Co, Inc, you are not just getting a job; you're gaining access to unparalleled career development opportunities. Enhance your skills through diverse training programs, workshops, and continuous learning courses designed to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Benefits and Culture

We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family. From comprehensive health care coverage and retirement plans to flexible working conditions and wellness programs, our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career at Merck & Co, Inc? Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that's dedicated to making a difference.

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Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Engage with us through our careers blog and by participating in networking events and employment fairs. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and the latest news tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Merck & Co, Inc. Join us in our mission to improve health and wellness around the world.
Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ
MRK
* Ladders Estimates

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