Associate Director, Manufacturing Division Communications ( Southern Cluster)

Job Description

Position Overview

The role of Associate Director, Global Manufacturing Communications (Southern Site Cluster) is a unique opportunity to join our company, a global healthcare leader, as a key member of the Global Communications and Manufacturing team. The role will support the creation and implementation of multi-media internal and external communications across site, product, supply, crisis and enterprise priorities. This requires a 360-degree communicator who can connect manufacturing operations, supply chain management and reputation considerations to clear stakeholder messaging, site-level communications strategies, plans, and pull-through execution for our manufacturing sites in Durham (NC), Wilson (NC), and Elkton (VA), comprising approximately 2,500 employees. The candidate selected for this role will work under the guidance of the Regional Site Communications Director, Manufacturing Division, in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.

The position will be based near or at one of our Southern sites (Durham, Wilson, or Elkton), with a Hybrid setup requiring in-office/onsite presence for a minimum of 2-3 days a week, along with up to 25% travel to our sites in Durham (NC), Wilson (NC), and Elkton (VA).

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement integrated communications activities in support of our company's divisional, site and regional strategies, with a heavy emphasis on connecting site employee performance to the enterprise narrative and goals, and implementing innovative solutions to reach both "wired" and "non-wired" manufacturing employees. Ensure communications reflect a strong understanding of product communications, including how manufacturing performance, supply continuity, product milestones and operational readiness impact patients, customers, employees and the company’s reputation.
• Drive integrated editorial strategy to raise awareness and alignment across the sites—through conducting meaningful, targeted communication outreach including site-level digital channels that enhance the reputation of our Company. Include appropriate metrics and leverage with key audiences.
• Identify, develop and support unique storylines, change management initiatives, and workforce engagement opportunities to showcase site achievements and support organizational transformation.
• Prepare and brief site and manufacturing leaders on message delivery, media engagement, and internal/external speaking opportunities for site events, town halls, and local announcements, partnering with policy and media teams, when applicable
• Develop and communicate strategies, programs and materials for use by our company's regional leadership; help advise site leaders for franchise, operational, and site-level communications issues. Provide counsel on supply-related communications, including anticipated or emerging supply constraints, product availability updates, operational disruptions and stakeholder questions, ensuring messaging is accurate, timely and aligned with business, regulatory, quality and reputational considerations.
• Serve as a liaison to site leadership, divisional communications teams, policy teams and to local trade and news media as needed.
• Manage a high volume of materials (press releases, media briefing documents, leadership talking points, site newsletters, digital screens, core response documents, etc.) through standard manufacturing, medical, and legal review processes, developing strong and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders
• Work directly with internal stakeholder groups and public relations agencies and help manage related budgets for regional communications projects.
• Reduce Organizational Risk Exposure by creating communications that effectively educate employees on formal and informal policies, escalating potential risks that could impact our reputation and partnering with divisional communications to identify, assess, address, and prioritize actions. Be versed in crisis communications. Demonstrate the ability to anticipate issues, build scenario-based response plans, develop core messages and leader talking points, and support rapid communications for crises involving quality, safety, supply, business continuity, activism, media scrutiny or other reputationally sensitive matters.
• Differentiate the Organization from Competitors by supporting efforts to differentiate our corporate brand at the site level.

Required Qualifications Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, life sciences, or a related field is required with 6 or more years of communications experience, OR a minimum of a high school diploma with at least 10 years of equivalent experience (including communications, media, and/or military).
• Minimum six years’ experience in communications or public relations; healthcare, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical experience at a global publicly traded company preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing communications for a high volume of site updates, change management initiatives, and organizational shifts; site launch or operational milestone experience highly desirable.
• Candidate must have a deep understanding of the biopharmaceutical industry, manufacturing landscape, and possess strong business acumen. Must also understand how product strategy, supply reliability, quality expectations, regulatory requirements and external stakeholder perceptions intersect with communications strategy.
• Must have strong executive presence, excellent verbal and written communications skills, and the ability to work under tight deadlines with great attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaborate within a highly matrixed organization.
• Keen eye for detail, with demonstrated experience managing a high volume of communications through standard review channels or a medical/legal review board.
• Ability to handle crisis communications, provide long-term strategic communications counsel, and deliver on short-term communication tactics and objectives to reduce organizational risk exposure.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple priorities and competing deadlines across multiple physical sites.
• Team player, collaborative spirit, ability to succeed in a fast-paced, high-visibility role supporting approximately 2,500 site employees.
• Creative and passionate professional with experience in the development and implementation of integrated communications programs for both "wired" and "non-wired" workforces.
• Experience in internal and external communications, including executive communications, change management, and issues/crisis management. Demonstrated ability to operate as a 360-degree communicator across employee engagement, executive visibility, media preparedness, product communications, supply communications, stakeholder issues and crisis response.
• Follows communications trends and has proficiency with social and digital channels.
• Proven ability to translate science, business, or technical manufacturing information into compelling communications for key stakeholders.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in supporting R&D, manufacturing, or complex operational communications.
• Experience working with site directors, C-suite, and senior-level executives.
• Budget and agency management experience.
• Deep business knowledge and a solid understanding of manufacturing across a global enterprise.

Required Skills:

Change Management Communication, Communication Strategy Development, Communications Writing, Communication Tools, Content Development, Corporate Brand Management, Crisis Communication Management, Crisis Management, Employee Engagement Programs, Employee Training Programs, Event Planning, Media Production, Media Relations, Project Management, Social Media Communications

 Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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:

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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.

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

N/a

Job Posting End Date:

09/23/2026

*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.