Associate Director, Corporate Responsibility

Job DescriptionPosition SummaryThe Associate Director, Community Impact, supports execution of the community engagement strategy across priority U.S. communities in partnership with the Head of Global Community Impact and Engagement. This role is responsible for driving implementation, operational coordination, and follow-through through key initiatives, projects, and priorities related to the Community Impact Liaison (CIL) program model.This role sits within Global Impact Investing and Giving (GIIG) pillar in the Social Impact and Sustainability team and serves as a central point of coordination to help ensure community-centered social investments and engagements are executed effectively and in alignment with strategic priorities. The Associate Director will work across internal stakeholders and with at least seven Community Impact Liaisons to support operational excellence, strengthen cross-functional alignment, reduce duplication of efforts, and ensure activities are compliant.This role does not have direct reports and leads through influence, coordination, and program management. This role is non-commercial and fully separate from promotional, brand, and medical activities.Primary ResponsibilitiesLead execution and implementation of key initiatives, projects, and directives identified by the Head of Global Community Impact and EngagementServe as the primary program coordination led to drive follow-through, track progress, and support timely execution across the CIL modelCoordinate day-to-day program operations, including planning, milestone tracking, issue identification, escalation, and follow-up on key deliverablesSupport ongoing learning related to emerging trends, evolving community needs, and local insights across priority U.S. communitiesPartner with the Community Impact Liaisons and other internal stakeholders to ensure work remains relevant, coordinated, compliant, non-duplicative, and aligned with broader company access to health goalsSupport compliant coordination across internal stakeholders, including Patient Insights & Engagement, Policy, Legal, Compliance, Communications, Finance, and other relevant departmentsLead the establishment and operational management of a grant review committee to support structured and consistent review of grant applicationsRecommend and implement an appropriate, efficient cadence and process for grant application review in alignment with governance requirementsServe as a member of the grant review committee and coordinate review materials, meeting logistics, decision tracking, and follow-up actionsSupport grantmaking processes, including application intake, proposal review coordination, internal approvals, contracting, and reportingTrack program milestones, outputs, implementation risks, budget-related status, and key decisions to support effective execution and leadership visibilityDevelop clear updates, materials, and recommendations based on program activity, community insights, and portfolio progressSupport monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities to strengthen program effectiveness and continuous improvementPartner with our Communications department and other relevant stakeholders to identify and support compliant opportunities to elevate and share highlights of the CIL model and program impactRequired Experience and SkillsBachelor’s degree in public health, Health Policy, Business, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or related fieldMinimum of 7 years of relevant experience in program operations, program management, public health, community health, social impact, philanthropy, health systems strengthening, community engagement, or a related fieldStrong experience in operations management, implementation planning, and coordination of complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholdersExperience leading work through influence in a matrixed environment without direct reporting authorityExperience managing projects with multiple workstreams, timelines, dependencies, and stakeholdersExperience supporting grantmaking or community-based program processes, including coordination of application review, approvals, contracting, and reportingExperience working across internal cross-functional stakeholders to align priorities, support compliance, and reduce duplication of effortStrong program and project management skills, with demonstrated ability to drive execution and maintain accountability for follow-throughStrong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skillsDemonstrated ability to build trust, drive alignment, and support execution through collaboration and influencePreferred Experience and SkillsAdvanced degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Work, or related fieldExperience working in communities of high need, including access to health, HIV, oncology, cardiovascular disease, or related community health areasExperience in corporate social impact, ESG, or corporate philanthropyExperience supporting monitoring, evaluation, and learning for community-based programsExperience supporting compliant communications or stakeholder engagement related to social impact programsAdditional InformationReports to: Head of Global Community Impact and EngagementDirect Reports: NoneLocation: U.S.-basedTravel: Based on business needs and community engagement priorities; may be up to 5–10% of timeRequired Skills: Charitable Organizations, Communication Strategy Development, Community Impact, Environmental Social And Governance (ESG), Fundraising Management, Media Communications, Philanthropy, Policy Development, Program Implementation, Public Health, Research Development, Special Event Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Vendor ManagementPreferred Skills: Community EngagementCurrent Employees apply HERECurrent Contingent Workers apply HEREUS 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:EEOC Know Your RightsEEOC GINA Supplement​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 ActsThe salary range for this role is$129,000.00 - $203,100.00This 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 OrdinanceLos 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 OrdinanceSearch 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: RegularRelocation:No relocationVISA Sponsorship:NoTravel Requirements:10%Flexible Work Arrangements:RemoteShift:1st - DayValid Driving License:NoHazardous Material(s):N/AJob Posting End Date:09/15/2026*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. SummaryLocation: USA - New Jersey - RahwayType: Full time