Associate Director, Market Access, Policy and Sustainability Communications – MSD

MSD • Rahway, NJ

3d • $129,000 - $203,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director leads strategic communications to position our company as a trusted partner in advancing global health equity and enabling sustainable access to our medicines and vaccines. By unifying enterprise‑wide storytelling, the role drives a global communications strategy that elevates our company commitments to expanding patient access and strengthening health systems across both commercial and noncommercial initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• 8–10+ years of progressive experience in communications, public affairs, or corporate affairs, with significant time in a global pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare setting.
• High emotional intelligence, discretion, and professional maturity.
• Ability to effectively execute complex, multi‑market communications strategies.
• Experience managing media relations and issues/crisis communications in a highly regulated environment.
• Track record of effective relationships with internal teams and managing external agencies and budgets.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative and operate with a high degree of ownership.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to anticipate needs and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commitment to ethical storytelling, especially in diverse markets and marginalized community contexts.
• Comfort working in complex, matrixed, and multicultural environments with multiple stakeholders, including external partners, policymakers, NGOs, multilaterals and peer companies.
• Data‑driven mindset, with experience using insights and measurement to refine communication strategies and demonstrate impact.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with next-generation technologies and financing models developed for diverse (High, Mid, low) markets, highly desired.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate scientific and policy complexity into accessible, engaging narratives for diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Deliver internal and external communications supporting major enterprise initiatives including the Impact Report, philanthropic programs, quarterly results and high-visibility events (e.g. BIO, UNGA, WHA).
• Contribute to a multi‑year global health equity communications strategy aligned with our company commercial, therapeutic area and sustainable access goals.
• Partner with teams across our company value chain – including Corporate Affairs, Research, Manufacturing, country managers and commercial – to translate complex access strategies, R&D initiatives, technology initiatives and partnerships into compelling stories.
• Execute integrated external communications (media, digital, thought leadership) to highlight impact through affordability initiatives, partnerships, strategic investments and health system–strengthening programs.
• Support development of thought‑leadership platforms for senior leaders, including speeches, op-eds, external panels, investor and policy forums.
• Lead internal communications to build engagement and understanding of sustainable access commitments and progress.
• Track communications performance using insights, with a focus on qualitative impact and reputation outcomes.
• Ensure aligned, consistent messaging across regions, franchises and corporate affairs while enabling local adaptation in priority markets.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees