Director, Site Communications - U.S., Human Health Manufacturing

Job Description

The Director, Site Communications – U.S., Human Health Manufacturing is responsible for leading strategic communications for all of our Company’s Human Health manufacturing sites in the United States, including manufacturing sites in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia and Delaware. These sites play a critical role in supplying pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biologics to patients globally.

This role will develop and execute communications strategies that support site and network business objectives, drive employee engagement, enable effective change, and build and protect the reputation of our Manufacturing Division with employees, local communities, and external stakeholders. The Director will partner closely with the U.S. Director for Site Communications, Operating Unit Leaders, the Executive Director, our Manufacturing Division's Communications and in-country communications/corporate affairs colleagues, to ensure communications are locally relevant and aligned to global Manufacturing Division priorities.

This Director is a strategic advisor to the Site Leadership Teams (SLTs) and works closely with Plant Managers (PMs) and cross‑functional program leads to ensure communications are fully integrated into project governance and delivery.

Scope of Work and Core Responsibilities

• Lead a team of four U.S. HH site communicators who support communications at all HH manufacturing sites throughout the United States, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia and Delaware.
• Lead high visibility, sensitive communications (e.g., workforce restructurings, environmental or safety incidents, regulatory enforcement) and collaborate with our Manufacturing Division's senior leaders, corporate affairs and legal.
• Work closely with the U.S. and Asia Site Communicators to ensure global alignment across all HH sites and the maximization of resources to capitalize on efficiencies and standardize best practices – align with Animal Health when applicable
• Develop integrated communications strategies and plans for the U.S. Human Health manufacturing sites that:
  • Reflect diverse markets, cultures, languages and regulatory environments.
  • Support business priorities in operational excellence, quality, safety, talent and transformation.
  • Align with Manufacturing Division and Human Health strategies.
• Lead end-to-end communications that help employees across U.S. sites understand the Manufacturing Division strategy, performance, and priorities, and that foster a strong culture of safety, quality, compliance, and inclusion.
• Partner with HR, Operations, EHS, Quality and local communications/corporate affairs teams to:
  • Support change management initiatives, organizational design changes and network transformations.
  • Communicate around talent, capability-building, and engagement efforts.
  • Enhance leadership visibility and two-way communication between leadership and employees.
• Coordinate and, where appropriate, lead external communications for U.S. Human Health manufacturing sites, in close partnership with corporate affairs, including:
  • Local and regional media engagement and inquiries related to the sites.
  • Community, government and stakeholder relations, including engagement with local authorities, NGOs and business associations.
  • Communications support for major announcements (investments, expansions, employment, sustainability initiatives, etc.).
• Lead issues management and crisis communications support for U.S. manufacturing sites:
  • Develop and maintain localized crisis communications plans and scenarios.
  • Prepare and adapt messaging, Q&As and materials for local languages and stakeholders.
  • Coordinate response with the Executive Director, global crisis teams, and local communications leads during incidents or business disruptions.
• Support communications related to regulatory inspections and approvals, major capital projects, technology transfers, new product introductions and other critical milestones across U.S. sites.
• Ensure communications fully comply with global company standards and local legal, regulatory and industry requirements, working closely with Legal, Compliance, Quality and in-country communications teams.
• Develop and tailor content for U.S. audiences (leader messages, intranet content, presentations, videos, talking points, FAQs, etc.), ensuring clarity, cultural relevance and consistency with global Manufacturing Division messages.
• Build and help lead a community of practice across U.S. site communicators and relevant partners, sharing best practices, tools and guidance to elevate communications capabilities and impact.
• Establish and track KPIs to measure the effectiveness of communications initiatives; provide regular insights and recommendations to site and regional leadership and the Executive Director.
• Co-lead senior executive visits and events at U.S. sites, including visit planning, messaging, employee engagement activities and media/community components as appropriate.
• Manage and oversee external agencies, consultants and vendors in the U.S. to support communications projects, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness and adherence to standards.
• Actively coordinate with global Manufacturing Division communications colleagues to ensure alignment and mutual support across regions.
• Represent the Manufacturing Division to enterprise and product communications councils/teams and ensure our Manufacturing Division is reflected in the enterprise storytelling.
• Lead global communications in support of the External Manufacturing (ExM) team including development and execution of communications plans in alignment with ExM executive leads.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of communications experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, med tech, biotech or similarly regulated industries; strong experience in international and/or multi-country communications required.
• Direct experience working in or supporting manufacturing, operations or supply chain environments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively across multiple stakeholder and sites; experience localizing global strategies for site-level implementation.
• Proven track record in issues management and crisis communications, preferably in a manufacturing or operational context.
• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical environment and familiarity with relevant U.S. and local regulatory and compliance requirements impacting communications.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills; proficiency in English required.
• Demonstrated ability to counsel and influence senior leaders, build trusted relationships and provide well-reasoned, strategic communications recommendations.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to anticipate emerging issues, assess reputational risk, and propose proactive communications approaches.
• Excellent planning and project management skills; able to manage diverse stakeholders, multiple markets and competing priorities under tight timelines.
• Experience working in a matrixed, global organization and collaborating across time zones and functions.
• Experience leading or coordinating virtual and cross-cultural teams and/or networks of communicators preferred.
• Travel required: approximately 25–30% across U.S. manufacturing sites and to regional/global meetings.

Required Skills:

Change Management, Change Management, Change Management Communication, Communication Management, Communication Strategy Development, Communications Writing, Communication Tools, Community Relations, Content Development, Corporate Brand Management, Crisis Communication Management, Crisis Management, Efficiency Improvements, Employee Engagement Programs, Employee Training Programs, Event Planning, External Communication, Global Coordination, Influencing Skills, Leadership Communication, Leadership Management, Manufacturing, Media Production, Media Relations, Organizational Change Management {+ 9 more}

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

$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

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:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

10/6/2026

*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.