Sep 21, 2018
Requisition ID: GLO001335 Merck & Co., Inc. Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. known as Merck in the United States and Canada, is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where Merck has codified its legacy for over a century. Merck’s success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare. TEAM: Corporate Communications strives to be a strong team of trusted advisors who partner to drive business value. We advance the mission of the company and create a cohesive picture of Merck’s work in the world by shaping its narrative. We drive consistency around the Merck narrative and improve our corporate reputation as a result. Through our strategic approach, we ensure our company is positioned for success, its value is understood, and its reputation is protected. Our involvement with the entirety of the business – as strategic counselors – gives us a wide-angle perspective that we use to optimize opportunities, mitigate risk and achieve the company’s goals. We align as a cohesive team with shared goals and a clear picture of the results we pursue. ROLE: The director of media relations is a key member of the External Affairs team within Global Communications. The director of media relations will develop a comprehensive strategy for Merck’s corporate media and public relations efforts. This individual will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key media channels to drive an increase in positive media coverage and brand awareness among public through effective and targeted media use. This person will manage media relations for corporate financial and business activities, including investor relations, and coordinate closely with Scientific and Product Media Relations. This person will need to closely partner with Policy, Corporate Responsibility, Reputation Management, as well as colleagues across Global Communications, Investor Relations and other divisions to support business critical initiatives. PRIMARY ACTIVITIES Develops a comprehensive media strategy to elevate the company’s reputation and ensure consistency of the corporate narrative Develops and fosters relationship with key financial, healthcare and mass media channels to increase positive media coverage; identifies and introduces new media channels to maximize coverage Secures features, stories, and appearances in national, regional, and local media outlets, both print and web based Proactively creates and distributes company news via releases, advisories, individual pitches, editorial placements, print articles, etc. Identifies and leverages innovative media formats (podcasts, social, blogs, etc.) to increase media presence and reach Communications support for quarterly earnings process including press release and slide development and other investor-focused press releases; supports development of the annual report and proxy Coordinates with Executive Communications for appropriate media placements and opportunities with the executive team Serves as primary point of contact with media, bloggers, and internal editorial teams and responds to media requests Keeps up to date with emerging media trends and nontraditional media channels and updates media and public strategy accordingly Collaborates with the corporate channels and content team to present unified messaging on all media, social and digital channels May serve as the company's spokesperson Proactively identifies opportunities and manages risks for key audiences Creates and maintains an intelligence feedback loop on key external issues to inform the narrative and manage communication risk Provides media support for externally facing PCPH and IR teams Works to expand understanding of the organization's business, performance, and strategy Prepares summaries of media activity for senior management Partners closely with Analytics team to create a measurement framework for media impact SKILLS: Ideal candidate will have knowledge of and experience in global media and communications, media relations and development of editorial content Proven ability to translate science/business/technical information, developments and challenges into compelling communications for key stakeholders Takes a global perspective and identifies opportunities to amplify Merck’s reputation both nationally and internationally Capable of resolving or escalating issues arising from media and requiring coordination with other departments Strong collaborator with effective relationship and partnership skills Maintains direction and focus through proactive, integrated planning; takes an organized, data-driven approach Flexible and agile with ability to adapt quickly and be effective in new situations in a highly dynamic environment Possesses passion, energy, a detail orientation, and enthusiasm to drive results Has a solid understanding of channel benefits and options, including emerging media. Deliberately selects the most beneficial channel mix depending on audience and desired outcomes. Selects writing style based on the desired stakeholder reaction and modifies it to be channel appropriate. Crafts strategic, high-level company positioning in the market linked to desired reputation and branding attributes. Demonstrates ability to present complex business ideas, strategies, and results succinctly and persuasively at the senior executive level. Delivers compelling verbal communications—even on contentious topics—with confidence and sensitivity Uses in-depth audience understanding to review and edit documents and messages prior to being sent out for public or broad viewing. Has thorough knowledge of audience’s key values and uses it to achieve communication goals beyond mere understanding or agreement, such as engagement and active support Demonstrates effective persuasion and influencing skills communicating with all levels (both externally and internally). Builds constructive relationships across the organization and builds trust and rapport with external partners. Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS Bachelors degree required; MBA preferred 8+ years of experience in Media Relations or similar role required, with extensive experience working in-house with publicly-traded company(ies); IR experience a plus Track record of success as a trusted company spokesperson to the media, investor and advocacy communities; well-known and regarded by these communities Experience within a highly regulated industry a plus; deep business knowledge, solid understanding of corporate financial reporting of publicly traded companies, and familiarity with SEC, DOJ, FDA regulations Key competencies of the role include having a solid understanding of corporate communications, excellent written and verbal communications skills, the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and a passion for storytelling Your role at Merck is integral to helping the world meet new breakthroughs that affect generations to come, and we’re counting on your skills and inventiveness to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement. At Merck, we’re inventing for life. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to staffingaadar@merck.com . Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully: Merck & Co., Inc. is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Merck via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Merck. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Merck as a result of the referral or through other means. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For more information about personal rights under Equal Employment Opportunity, visit: EEOC Poster EEOC GINA Supplement OFCCP EEO Supplement Merck is an equal opportunity employer, Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran – proudly embracing diversity in all of it’s manifestations. Job: Global Product Communications Other Locations: Upper Gwynedd, PA, US Employee Status: Regular Travel: Number of Openings: 1 Shift (if applicable): Hazardous Materials: No Company Trade Name: Merck
Merck
Kenilworth, NJ, US
