Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.