Merck & Co, Inc

Lead Associate, Administrative Services

Merck & Co, Inc$100K — $158K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum 5 years administrative assistant experience or 4 years paralegal experience.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and enterprise communication tools.
  • Ability to handle multiple assignments with attention to detail and critical deadlines.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience with financial and budget tasks, including invoicing and expense reports.

Responsibilities

  • Act as the primary liaison between IP Group leaders and other departments.
  • Manage complex calendars for senior IP leaders, prioritizing meetings effectively.
  • Coordinate travel arrangements, including itineraries and expense reporting.
  • Plan logistics for IP leadership meetings and workshops, preparing necessary materials.
  • Provide operational support for patent information reporting and liaising with stakeholders.
  • Prepare and review correspondence, presentations, and reports for senior leadership.
  • Organize filing systems and manage confidential materials responsibly.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage for employees and families.
  • Retirement benefits including 401(k).
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate sick days.
  • Eligibility for annual bonuses and long-term incentives.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Role Summary

We are looking for a talented and motivated Lead Associate, Administrative Services, to provide proactive, high-quality, and reliable administrative support to the Intellectual Property legal group ("IP Group"), a part of the Office of the General Counsel ("OGC"). Specifically, this role will support the Senior Vice President and Head of the IP Group, as well as additional senior IP leaders in the department.

The individual in this role will coordinate and perform multiple administrative tasks in a dynamic environment and will serve as a key liaison between the IP leadership and internal and external stakeholders. This position requires initiative, high attention to detail and the ability to learn quickly with a demonstrated ability and willingness to continuously acquire new competencies. It also requires good judgment, confidentiality, a strong work ethic, a high degree of accountability, and exceptional organizational and computer skills.

Responsibilities and Primary Activities

  • Act as the primary point of contact between the Head of the IP Group's office and other departments, including with our Research and Development Division, Business Development, and senior executive leadership.
  • Manage and prioritize complex, high-volume calendars for the senior IP leaders, including scheduling meetings with internal business units, outside counsel, and senior leadership.
  • Coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements, including itineraries, accommodations, and expense reporting.
  • Plan and coordinate logistics for various IP leadership meetings, town halls, team off-sites, CLE sessions, and cross-functional workshops, including preparing agendas and compiling pre-read materials as appropriate.

  • Provide operational support for various internal product patent information reporting, including liaising with attorneys, querying internal patent databases and communicating with internal stakeholders including Investor Relations, Tax and Communications.
  • Prepare, edit, review and/or route correspondence, presentations, and reports on behalf of senior IP leadership. Screen and triage incoming communications, exercising judgment to prioritize and escalate as appropriate.
  • Maintain a strong working knowledge of AI tools and platforms, and proactively identify opportunities to leverage AI in day-to-day activities.

  • Organize and maintain electronic and physical filing systems in accordance with records retention policies and legal hold obligations.
  • Reliably handle confidential and sensitive materials with the utmost discretion.
  • Support the IP Group with onboarding and offboarding of IP Group personnel.

  • Review and approve invoices for compliance with billing guidelines; create matters within billing system; assist with financial matter management and budget planning.
  • Help coordinate special projects within the IP Group and the broader OGC organization.
  • Provide back-up support to other executives and lead administrative assistants, and other administrative assistants within the IP Group, as needed.


Requirements
Education:
  • Required: High School Diploma or equivalent.
  • Preferred: Advanced education (e.g., Bachelor's or associate degree) or certifications (e.g. Certified Administrative Professional, Project Management Professional Certification, Professional in Human Resources Certification, Paralegal Studies Certificate)

Required Experience and Skillset:
  • Minimum of 5 years administrative assistant experience or 4 years of paralegal experience
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneNote, Teams, etc.), enterprise communication and travel solutions, and other company software and hardware tools, leveraging their full capabilities to maximize productivity and streamline departmental workflows.
  • An openness to adopting new solutions that enhance efficiency and support the department's strategic objectives.
  • Ability to handle and prioritize multiple simultaneous assignments while understanding the project principles and managing to critical deadlines, with extraordinary attention to detail.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and people skills, including ability to interact professionally with internal and external stakeholders and with individuals at all levels of the organization.
  • Experience processing expense reports, travel reservations, and invoices.
  • Ability to apply independent judgment, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Experience with financial and budget tasks.
  • High-level of attention to detail and organization.
  • Collaborative, inquisitive, adaptive, and flexible.
  • Enthusiastic, self-motivated team player with a strong work ethic.

Preferred Experience and Skillset:
  • Administrative experience supporting executives (Associate Vice President or above) in a multinational environment.
  • Experience as an IP administrative associate in a corporate or law firm setting.
  • Concur and Tymetrix360 ebilling system.
  • Intellectual Property specific systems (e.g., Clarivate's First to File and TIPMS).
  • Notary public commission.
  • Documented experience as a strong performer in current and past positions.

#MSJR

The salary range for this role is:

$100,400 - $158,000

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

Required Skills:
Ability to Coordinate, Ability to Coordinate, Adaptability, Budget Administration, Calendar Management, Communication Systems, Competency Management, Database Management, Data Entry, Document Management, Event Planning, Interpersonal Relationships, Invoice Approval, Invoice Auditing, Invoice Payments, Meeting Management, Microsoft OneNote, Microsoft PowerPoint, Office Administration, Presentation Preparations, Process Improvements, Processing Expense Reports, Reporting and Analysis, Scheduling, Strategic Leadership {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:
Leadership, Microsoft Outlook, Organizing

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/a

Job Posting End Date:
09/15/2026
*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.

Stay Connected

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
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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