AVP, Oncology, Communications

Merck•Rahway, NJ

21h•$282,200 - $444,200•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Vice President, Oncology, Communications leads the global, end-to-end communications strategy for the company’s oncology portfolio, including in-line products, new indications, pipeline assets and emerging platforms. The role translates oncology business, product and scientific strategies into communications that strengthen the company’s oncology leadership, support portfolio growth and advance patient needs. The AVP serves as a strategic counselor to senior Oncology, Commercial, Research and Development, Medical Affairs and Corporate Affairs leaders. The position requires deep experience in oncology product strategy communications and the ability to connect clinical evidence, regulatory milestones, market dynamics, patient needs and commercial priorities into clear narratives for internal and external audiences. The leader oversees communications throughout the product lifecycle, from early pipeline milestones and data disclosures through regulatory approvals, launches, indication expansions and lifecycle management. The role integrates media relations, scientific communications, executive visibility, thought leadership, patient and advocacy engagement, digital and social channels, employee communications and issues management across global and market teams. In a complex, regulated and fast-paced environment, the AVP leads and develops a high-performing team, establishes priorities and decision rights, and allocates resources to oncology opportunities and risks with significant potential impact. The role calls for an outside-in perspective, business and scientific acumen, sound judgment and the ability to simplify complex oncology information for stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of 15 years of progressive communications experience, including significant leadership experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or healthcare industry.
Extensive oncology communications experience and a strong understanding of the oncology market, clinical development, regulatory environment, scientific exchange and evolving standards of care.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing product strategy communications for oncology assets across multiple lifecycle stages.
Proven leadership of communications for major product launches, indication expansions, clinical data milestones, regulatory decisions and priority medical congresses.
Ability to translate complex scientific, clinical and commercial information into clear, credible and compelling communications for varied audiences.
Deep understanding of relationships among product strategy, portfolio positioning, market access, medical strategy, patient needs, the competitive landscape and corporate reputation.
Demonstrated success partnering with senior executives and influencing decisions in a highly matrixed, global organization.
Strong issues and crisis management experience, including anticipating risk, exercising sound judgment and leading calmly and urgently in high-pressure situations.
Ability to build relationships with media, external experts, patient advocacy organizations and other influential stakeholders.
People leadership experience, including leading leaders, developing talent, managing performance and creating an inclusive, accountable and high-performing culture.
Exceptional written, verbal, presentation and narrative-development skills.
Strong business acumen, strategic thinking and ability to balance long-term portfolio priorities with immediate execution needs.
Ability to manage multiple high-visibility priorities, budgets and agency partners in a complex, rapidly changing environment.
Required skills listed include Business Alignment, Business Decisions, Communication Management, Competency Management, Content Creation, Corporate Financial Reporting, Creativity, Crisis Communication Management, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Detail-Oriented, Enterprise Leadership, Event Planning, Executive Leadership, Financial Acumen, Leadership Theories, Marketing Communications Planning, Media Relations, Partner Relationship Management (PRM), Patient Advocacy, Planning Ability, Public Affairs Strategies, Public Speaking, Securities Regulations and Situational Leadership.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in communications, business, science, public health or a related field.

Responsibilities

Serve as senior communications advisor to Oncology leadership and contribute communications expertise to business, portfolio, product and reputational decisions.
Develop and execute an integrated global communications strategy for the oncology portfolio aligned with business priorities, product strategies, clinical development plans and the broader company narrative.
Translate oncology product strategy into differentiated communications strategies and narratives addressing clinical value, unmet need, patient impact, competitive positioning and each asset’s portfolio role.
Lead communications planning across the product lifecycle, including pipeline milestones, pivotal data, regulatory submissions and decisions, medical congresses, launches, label expansions, new indications, lifecycle management and loss-of-exclusivity considerations.
Partner with Global and U.S. Commercial, Research and Development, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Outcomes Research, Regulatory, Legal, Investor Relations, Public Policy, Patient Engagement and regional and market communications teams.
Build integrated communications plans for priority oncology assets and tumor areas, balancing consistent positioning with market-specific business needs, stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements.
Direct communications for major scientific and medical milestones, including data announcements and presentations at priority medical meetings, ensuring accurate evidence interpretation and coordinated execution across earned, owned, social and executive channels.
Provide strategic communications counsel for oncology product launches and indication expansions, including disease-awareness strategies, launch narratives, executive engagement, media strategy, stakeholder materials and internal readiness.
Strengthen the company’s oncology reputation through enterprise storytelling, thought leadership and integrated campaigns connecting pipeline innovation, product impact, patient experience and the company’s commitment to transforming cancer care.
Anticipate and manage product, clinical, regulatory and reputational issues; lead scenario planning, rapid-response communications and executive counsel with cross-functional teams.
Build and maintain relationships with healthcare and trade media, oncology experts, patient advocacy organizations, professional societies and other relevant external stakeholders.
Oversee communications for oncology business development, licensing, acquisitions, alliances and partnerships, aligning them with portfolio strategy, investor communications and enterprise positioning.
Establish governance, operating rhythms and decision rights across global, regional and market communications teams to promote accountability, consistency and speed.
Lead, coach and develop communications professionals and agency partners, building oncology expertise, strategic capability and a succession pipeline.
Manage the oncology communications budget and agency roster, prioritizing resources according to business value, patient impact, reputational opportunity and risk.
Define measures of success and use insights, analytics and external benchmarking to evaluate impact, improve decisions and optimize communications strategies.