Merck & Co, Inc

Community Engagement Specialist (CES) (IL, IN, WI)

Merck & Co, Inc • $142K — $224K *
Ohio, IL 61349In-Person
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree and 3+ years in pharma/biotech or community engagement, public health
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
  • Proven success in a field-based role
  • Experience with community stakeholders and advocacy organizations
  • Strong collaboration skills across functions
  • Background in health-related or engagement-focused initiatives

Responsibilities

  • Evaluate engagement effectiveness using data and feedback
  • Execute alignment activities in community engagement
  • Collaborate with leadership on disease awareness and engagement planning
  • Identify training needs based on insights and experience
  • Implement tactical engagement plans and track objectives
  • Analyze community data to spot trends and access barriers
  • Ensure consistent communication between field and headquarters

Benefits

  • Remote working flexibility
  • Travel opportunities within assigned territory
  • Professional development and training support
  • Engagement with diverse community organizations
  • Contribution to impactful healthcare initiatives
Full Job Description
Job Description

Role Summary
  • The Community Engagement Specialist (CES) is a field-based, community-embedded role focused on building trusted, long-term relationships with national, regional, and local organizations serving communities disproportionately impacted by disease. Organizations include, but are not limited to, patient advocacy organizations, community-based organizations, health departments, community health centers, social and civic groups, and faith-based organizations to support engagement across the care continuum.
  • This field-based role is responsible for executing and advancing community engagement across priority advocacy ecosystems, including patient advocacy organizations (PAOs), community-based organizations (CBOs/NGOs), and allied healthcare networks.
  • The CES serves as a trusted field partner and ecosystem connector, responsible for building durable relationships, enabling meaningful engagement, and ensuring community perspectives are reflected in alignment with organizational priorities.
  • The role delivers non-promotional, above-brand engagement and education, while also supporting the structured capture, synthesis, and communication of insights related to access, barriers to care, and community needs.
  • This role serves as a key connector between field engagement and headquarters teams, contributing to consistent, compliant, and scalable execution through established tools, processes, and engagement approaches.


Responsibilities and Primary Activities
  • Use data, field observations, and qualitative feedback to evaluate engagement effectiveness and identify opportunities for continuous improvement, including standardized insight capture and reporting approaches
  • Execute community engagement and relationship-building 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
  • Contribute to identification of training and capability needs based on field insights and engagement experience
  • Support field-based segmentation and targeting activities, including execution of tactical engagement plans and tracking against defined objectives
  • Leverage community insights and engagement data to identify trends, unmet needs, access barriers, and opportunities to enhance engagement approaches
  • Utilize established execution resources, including playbooks, tools, and standardized operating procedures (SOPs), to ensure consistency and quality
  • Maintain consistent, bi-directional communication between field engagements and headquarters teams to ensure alignment and visibility of community perspectives
  • Participate in team engagements including meetings, planning sessions, and training calls
  • Ensure all engagement activities comply with legal, regulatory, and non-promotional requirements
  • Utilize approved reporting tools and dashboards to document engagements and support performance monitoring
  • Identify and communicate opportunities to evolve and optimize community engagement approaches and field execution models


Required Location:
  • This role covers IL, IN, & WI.
  • Candidates must reside within the territory.
  • Ability for travel up to 50% within the territory


Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Minimum
  • Bachelor's degree required and a minimum of 3 years pharmaceutical/biotech experience -OR- community engagement, patient advocacy, or public health experience
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to execute effectively in a field-based role
  • 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
  • Ability to work independently while contributing to a broader team environment


Preferred
  • Experience working with patient advocacy organizations, community-based organizations, or healthcare-related community ecosystems
  • Familiarity with health, access, and community engagement dynamics
  • Experience supporting or facilitating educational or community-based engagements
  • Experience contributing to training, onboarding, or team capability development
  • Familiarity with agile or evolving field engagement models


Required Skills:
Community Outreach, Engagement Strategies, Feedback Management, Liaison Work, Medical Affairs, Project Management, Relationship Building, Scientific Communications, Scientific Exchange, Virology

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
50%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Remote

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
Yes

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
09/7/2026
*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.

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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.

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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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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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