Associate Director, Channel Standards & Partnership (Hybrid - PA)

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Associate Director, Channel Standards & Partnership (Media & Content) to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and managing relationships with key suppliers, ensuring alignment with our organizational goals, and driving value through effective partnership strategies. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to optimize supplier performance, mitigate risks, and enhance collaboration.

The ideal candidate will be a subject matter expert in digital media, content ecosystems, and partnership development. You will be responsible for establishing and enforcing channel-specific standards, optimizing our content for various platforms, and forging strategic media partnerships that extend our brand's reach and impact. This position requires a blend of creative vision and strong relationship management skills to lead cross-functional initiatives and deliver measurable results in a dynamic digital landscape.

As the Associate Director, you will collaborate closely with Marketing, Creative, Analytics, and external partners to build a cohesive and high-performing content and media framework. Your leadership will be instrumental in elevating our brand presence, fostering innovation in our media practices, and ensuring our content resonates powerfully with our target audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage Review Boards including content and standards reviewed: Media & Social Standards Review Team (MSRT) and Digital Channel Standards Review Team (DCSRT).
• Partnership Management (HCP and Consumer 3PV).
• Assist with the E2E standardization process.
• Define, document, and govern all standards, best practices, and playbooks for all digital channels (e.g., social media, audio, paid media, etc.).
• Act as the central point of contact and subject matter expert for all channel-specific inquiries, providing strategic guidance to internal teams and agencies.
• Innovation Channels & Creative Steward/SME (paid media channels) for Agile Teams.
• Act as the subject matter expert (SME) to review and validate content accuracy and relevance.
• Build, manage, and execute all activities related to the creation and launch of new social media profiles.
• Lead Media & Content Operations (Business Reviews, creative matrix, scorecards, establish efficient processes, etc.)
• Continuously evaluate emerging platforms, technologies, and trends to ensure our channel strategy remains innovative and effective.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Act as the primary point of contact for supplier-related inquiries and issues.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define supplier partnership strategies that support overall business goals.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement within the supplier base.
• Serve as a key liaison between Brand Marketing, Creative, Public Relations, Legal, Regulatory, and Analytics teams to ensure alignment and seamless execution of media and content initiatives.
• Monitor market trends and changes that may impact supplier relationships.
• Facilitate communication between suppliers and internal teams to resolve issues and enhance collaboration.
• Utilize data analytics to drive decision-making and improve supplier management processes.
• Work with Agile / Marketing/Operations leadership to ensure the Partnerships resources are effectively supporting the needs of the team.
• Consult on governance model and continue to provide objective feedback and identify areas of improvement.

Required Education: Bachelors Degree

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in digital marketing, media, or content management.
• Solid understanding of creative agency roles and structure.
• Strong problem-solving skills, negotiation skills, and business acumen.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data-driven decision-making.
• Strong Communication skills, oral and written: Advanced ability to express oneself and provide information effectively and in a succinct manner.
• Leadership: Demonstrated skills applying approaches, tools, and techniques to gain the cooperation and support of others; ability to lead by example and foster collaborative relationships.
• Collaboration: Ability to partner well with others and collaborate across various parts of the organization as well as with external suppliers/agencies.
• Influencing: Advanced ability to influence and impact decisions across various levels within and outside the organization.
• Planning, Tactical and Strategic: Advanced project planning and project management experience, including the ability to contribute to short term operational planning, tactical (1-2 years) planning, and strategic (3-5 years) planning, in support of the overall business plan.
• Ability to work at the North Wales (Upper Gwynedd), Pennsylvania office at least 3 days per week.
• Travel: ~10%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working for or with Agency Partners, including but not limited to Creative, Media, Data, Tech, etc.
• Strong understanding of agile ways of working.
• Proficiency with digital marketing tools and design tools (e.g., Social Media Management Platforms).

Required Skills:
Brand Marketing, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Digital Media, Social Media, Social Media Management

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:

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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.

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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

You can apply for this role through (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:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/A

Job Posting End Date:
06/29/2026
*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.