Merck & Co, Inc

Associate Director, Vaccines Communications – Respiratory & Pediatric Vaccines and Pipeline

Merck & Co, Inc$129K — $203K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years in communications/public affairs or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • 5+ years’ experience in communications/public affairs, preferably in healthcare or pharmaceuticals at a publicly traded company.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills for diverse audiences.
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively across different levels in a matrixed environment.
  • Creative thinker able to produce innovative solutions within compliance.
  • Experience in crisis communications and stakeholder management.
  • Strong project management and strategic planning skills.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute comprehensive communications activities for vaccine projects.
  • Drive awareness on vaccination importance through targeted content strategies.
  • Enhance company reputation in vaccines with core communication materials.
  • Conduct media monitoring and social listening for proactive issue management.
  • Support senior leadership communications and enhance their social media presence.
  • Facilitate review processes for communication materials to ensure compliance.
  • Manage relationships with agency partners and oversee program budgets.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work arrangement (3 in-office days, 2 remote).
  • Opportunity to work on impactful vaccination communications.
  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams and leadership exposure.
  • Creatively influence public health and vaccination awareness.
Full Job Description

Job Description

The Associate Director, Vaccines Communications will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams on the development and activation of integrated, comprehensive communications strategies and programs in support of our company U.S. and global respiratory & pediatrics vaccines portfolio and pipeline.


The Associate Director will report to the Director, Global Communications, Vaccines. The role can be based at our company's sites in Rahway, NJ or Upper Gwynedd, PA. We offer a Hybrid setup (a combination of 3 in-office days per week and 2 days remote/offsite).


Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Develop and execute internal and external communications activities for established vaccines and investigational candidates, including regulatory approvals, scientific publications, and key business milestones, in collaboration with cross-functional teams to support integrated communications strategies for our company's vaccines business in the U.S. and globally.

  • Strengthen awareness and activation among key audiences of the importance of vaccination through targeted content and channel strategies across earned, paid and owned platforms.

  • Elevate our company's legacy and continued leadership role in vaccines through the development and maintenance of core communications materials (e.g., messaging, slide decks, videos, social media copy, etc.).

  • Keep a pulse on the external environment through ongoing social listening and media monitoring and lead and/or support development and execution of issues mitigation and issues management plans in coordination with cross-functional colleagues.

  • Provide support in crafting leadership communications for senior leaders, including drafting broad internal emails and elevating senior leaders’ presence on social media.

  • Facilitate timely review of internal and external communications materials in compliance with our company's review processes.

  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with agency partners and manage program budgets to effectively implement communications plans.

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree with five or more years of experience in communications/public affairs or a related field.

  • Candidates who have a master’s or advanced degree, along with experience in vaccines, pharmaceuticals or health care industry preferred.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum five years’ experience in communications or public affairs; healthcare and pharmaceutical/vaccines experience at a global publicly traded company preferred.

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, with proven experience developing communications for various mediums/channels (e.g., traditional and social media, digital, print, video) and for diverse U.S. and global audiences (e.g., senior leaders, internal colleagues, patients/consumers, HCPs, external stakeholders, etc.).

  • Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with cross-functional colleagues across levels and geographies in a highly matrixed environment.

  • Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively pivot as needed to address issues and/or shifting priorities.

  • Creative thinker with the ability to develop innovative communications solutions while operating effectively within a regulated environment and adhering to relevant compliance requirements.

  • Experience in issues and crisis communications, including identifying emerging risks, developing response strategies, and coordinating timely, clear stakeholder communications.

  • Strategic and detail-oriented, excellent project management skills and proven success developing and executing strategic communications plans that support business and/or reputational goals.

  • Interest in and passion for public health and prevention and in developing communications that can help raise awareness, trust and acceptance of vaccination.

  • Excellent agency management skills.

  • Excellent budget management skills.

Required Skills:

Budget Management, Communication Strategy Development, Content Creation, Crisis Communication Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Detail-Oriented, Digital Channels, Emerging Risks, External Communication, Marketing Integration, Media Monitoring, Media Relations, Policy Development, Public Health, Public Relations (PR), Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

na

Job Posting End Date:

07/23/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe 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.

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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.

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Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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