Dir., Global Communications

MSD•Rahway, NJ

1d•$173,200 - $272,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Global Media Relations, is a highly proactive communications leader responsible for shaping and executing a global media strategy that elevates Our Company's scientific leadership and development, pipeline progress, product milestones, thought leadership, policy positions, and corporate reputation. The director will build and maintain strong working relationships with journalists and editors across pharma, science, mainstream, business, and consumer outlets within the U.S. and across key global markets. This leader is expected to anticipate news cycles, identify opportunities, and position Our Company in media through a combination of storytelling, rapid response, and sustained relationship building. To support media relations efforts, this individual will manage, develop and maintain positive relationships within the Corporate Affairs team, closely partnering with Research Laboratories, Human Health, Animal Health, Manufacturing, Policy, and Investor Relations. This leader is responsible for creating and maintaining strategic media response plans and creating materials to quickly spearhead publicity efforts, while engaging and collaborating with key markets under the supervision of the Executive Director, Global Media Relations. The director is also an excellent presenter and can communicate complex ideas to core stakeholder groups across the world. This leader is highly knowledgeable of Our Company's science, products, and pipeline, and possesses an understanding of biology and high-level scientific concepts and approaches, clinical research and drug discovery and development. Furthermore, this leader is dedicated to understanding the intricacies of each business area to enable the accurate and effective external positioning of Our Company's corporate story. This leader is self-motivated, detail oriented and maintains strong project management skills. This individual also can develop and execute high-level strategic plans and tactical strategies that achieve key objectives. This role is based in Rahway, New Jersey.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field
Accomplished communications professional with a minimum of eight years’ experience in corporate communications, media relations, public relations agency, journalism, or related field.
Demonstrated track record of securing top-tier media coverage and maintaining, strong, credible relationships with influential journalists across mainstream, consumer, scientific, and trade outlets.
Superb writing, editing and communications skills, including the ability to speak to key media and create strong press releases and reporter pitches.
Deep understanding of the healthcare and pharmaceutical landscape, including scientific, regulatory, pricing, access, and policy dynamics.
Exceptional writing, storytelling, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex scientific content.
Strategic thinker with highly developed problem-solving skills and the ability to translate business priorities into new, impactful media strategies and narratives.
Positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills and the proven ability to network within a highly-matrixed, global organization and maintain collaborative relationships.
Strong project management skills with proven success managing multiple high-priority workstreams and deadlines simultaneously.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Clinical Research
Clinical Research
Content Creation
Corporate Communications Strategy
Creativity
Crisis Communication Management
Detail-Oriented
Digital Marketing Communications
Digital Media Strategy
Event Management
Event Planning
Integrated Communication Strategies
Leadership
Media Relations
Media Strategies
Microsoft Office
Policy Development
Project Management
Public Relations (PR)
Public Speaking
Research Development
Science
Stakeholder Engagement
Strategic Communication Planning
Strategic Planning

Responsibilities

Drive proactive coordination across workstreams and ensure alignment on media strategy, messaging, and execution.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with reporters at pharma, science, business, mainstream, and consumer outlets and editors within the U.S. and across key global markets.
Lead the development and execution of integrated media strategies across earned, owned and shared channels that anticipate opportunities and position Our Company's science and story at the forefront of media conversations.
Closely partner with the broader Global Media Relations team to develop and execute impactful campaigns for priority products and initiatives.
Demonstrate deep understanding of media and regulatory landscape to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and ensure coordinated, strategic storytelling across US and ex-US markets and regions.
Develop and share best practices and HQ media policies to encourage leadership and coordination from Global Media Relations among markets and regions.
Lead and elevate spokesperson strategy, including media training to ensure a coordinated, disciplined global narrative.
Proactively identify and lead media moments, partnering with executive leadership to shape and execute publicity for key scientific, product, and business developments as well as strategies for thought leadership.
Build strong internal relationships to stay ahead of pipeline developments, ongoing priorities, and emerging stories.
Own timely, strategic responses to media inquiries and interview requests and respond or delegate, when appropriate.
Proactively contribute ideas for the company’s integrated communications efforts, including internal communications, publications, and social media.
Assess company materials and develop communications materials that are easily digestible and accurately report the information.
Serve as a credible spokesperson, representing Our Company and its priorities to key media and internal audiences.
Deliver strategic communications counsel to colleagues, acting as a trusted partner.
Define, track, and optimize media performance metrics, refining strategy based on insights and outcomes.