Sr. Spclst, Policy & Communications

Job Description

Corporate Affairs Senior Specialist (Policy, Communications and Patient Advocacy) – temporary contract 

 

Are you a Corporate Affairs specialist with experience in Policy, Communication, and Patient Advocacy who wants to take part on making the world a better place? Do you have an agile approach, creative mindset and can-do attitude? Then you might be a good fit for us! 

 

We are looking for candidate for a 1-year contract, with previous policy/public affairs experience, ideally in the pharma/health sector, with successfully implemented initiatives which impacted positively on the external context. For this position it is also required previous experience in external communication, namely on business areas but also with proven experience in achieving the adequate company voice and reputation.  

 

The role will assume responsibilities on planning and execution of patient engagement activities in alignment with regional and local priorities. Carrying out this role requires ongoing interaction and strong collaboration with the different functions of the organization, including access, commercial and medical colleagues. 

 

Our Corporate Affairs team works with external stakeholders, including policy makers, health related organizations and experts at national and local levels, patient groups and media. We address legislative and regulatory context promoting research of innovative medicine and vaccines while leveraging patient access to medicines.  

 

The Corporate Affairs Senior Specialist will be part of the Access & Corporate Affairs team, reporting to the Associate Director, Corporate Affairs Lead, working in collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders to design, select and implement strategies which enable our company and partners to meet its strategic goals. 

 

 

You must have: 

• University Degree (social sciences, health, communication or related fields); 

• Minimum experience of 4 years in policy & communications, including in developing strategies and plans; 

• Experience in the health industry will be highly considered; 

 

Skills: 

 

• Strong policy knowhow and acumen; 

• Good knowledge of the challenging political, economic and social environment; 

• Ideally business acumen, understanding of pharmaceutical business and related healthcare policies; 

• Strong strategic analytical skills which enable the identification of priority routes for “a change”; 

• Fast learner of new contexts and fast mover from analysis to proposal; 

• Be able to develop, adapt and disseminate positioning and narratives regarding disease and therapy, as well as corporate messaging, for different audiences, namely key government officials, regulators and influencers;  

• Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written; 

• Good level of English verbal and written for business daily discussions and regional/global interactions  

• Proactivity and ability to manage internal/external communication channels and initiatives, identifying risks and opportunities; 

• Effectively influences and demonstrates an action-driven mindset and behaviors with key stakeholders; 

• Relationship building: must have the ability to build trustful relationships externally and internally; 

• Analytical and fact-finding skills; 

• Project management and planning skills; 

• Superior written and oral communication skills in English; 

• Experience using Microsoft Office and Digital tools and platforms. 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop policy and communication strategies, together with Corporate Affairs lead, local and regional team, within a specific therapeutic area; 

• Collaborate with brand teams on patient engagement activities’ planning and implement accordingly; 

• Identify and build partnership with key policy stakeholders, including government authorities, experts, key thought leaders, non-governmental organizations and patient advocacy organizations, to address policy issues and defend the value of our portfolio; 

• Monitor, anticipate and analyze opportunities and threats with regards to company’s product portfolio and pipeline and company reputation; 

• Develop evidence and advocacy messaging; 

• Crisis management and proactive risk identification and mitigation at country level; 

• Support, as a key contributor, the digital transformation of our communication and engagement activities. 

 

 

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. 

 

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Audience View, Communication Coordination, Communication Delivery, Community Interaction, Content Management Systems (CMS), Crisis Management, Digital Transformation, Event Planning, Healthcare Policies, Identifying Risks, Media Purchase, Patient Advocacy, Patient Engagement, Pharmacoeconomics, Policy Development, Project Management, Public Relations Services, Research Networks, Risk Management and Mitigation, Risk Monitoring, Social Media Platform, Social Sciences, Stakeholder Relationship Management {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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:

Project Temps (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

06/26/2026

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