Associate Director, Vaccines Communications
Communications & ContentPosted 16 Jul 2026
Advertised as “Associate Director, Vaccines Communications – Respiratory & Pediatric Vaccines and Pipeline”
Posted 16 Jul 2026
Advertised as “Associate Director, Vaccines Communications – Respiratory & Pediatric Vaccines and Pipeline”
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
| Base salary | US$129,000 – US$203,000 / yr |
|---|
Field of studyCommunications, Public Affairs
Study levelBachelor's
Job Description
The Associate Director, Vaccines Communications will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams on the development and activation of integrated, comprehensive communications strategies and programs in support of our company U.S. and global respiratory & pediatrics vaccines portfolio and pipeline.
The Associate Director will report to the Director, Global Communications, Vaccines. The role can be based at our company's sites in Rahway, NJ or Upper Gwynedd, PA. We offer a Hybrid setup (a combination of 3 in-office days per week and 2 days remote/offsite).
Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:
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.
Education:
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.
Qualifications:
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.
Excellent agency management skills.
Excellent budget management skills.
Required Skills:
Budget Management, Communication Strategy Development, Content Creation, Crisis Communication Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Detail-Oriented, Digital Channels, Emerging Risks, External Communication, Marketing Integration, Media Monitoring, Media Relations, Policy Development, Public Health, Public Relations (PR), Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
The salary range for this role is
$129,000.00 - $203,100.00
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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status:
Regular
Relocation:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
na
Job Posting End Date:
07/23/2026
*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.