AVP, Oncology, Communications

The Associate Vice President, Oncology, Communications is responsible for leading the global, end-to-end communications strategy for the company’s oncology portfolio, including in-line products, new indications, pipeline assets and emerging platforms. This senior leader will translate oncology business, product and scientific strategies into compelling communications that strengthen the company’s leadership in oncology, support portfolio growth and advance the needs of patients.

The Associate Vice President (AVP) will serve as a trusted strategic counselor to senior Oncology, Commercial, Research and Development, Medical Affairs and Corporate Affairs leaders. The role requires deep oncology product strategy communications experience and a demonstrated ability to connect clinical evidence, regulatory milestones, market dynamics, patient needs and commercial priorities into clear, differentiated narratives for internal and external audiences.

This leader will oversee communications across the product lifecycle—from early pipeline milestones and data disclosures through regulatory approvals, launches, indication expansions and lifecycle management. The AVP will ensure an integrated approach across global and market teams and across media relations, scientific communications, executive visibility, thought leadership, patient and advocacy engagement, digital and social channels, employee communications and issues management.

Working in a highly complex, regulated and fast-paced environment, the AVP will lead and develop a high-performing team, establish clear priorities and decision rights, and deploy resources against the oncology opportunities and risks with the greatest potential impact. The leader will bring an outside-in perspective, strong business and scientific acumen, sound judgment and the ability to simplify complex oncology information for stakeholders.

• →Serve as the senior communications advisor to Oncology leadership, contributing communications expertise to business, portfolio, product and reputational decisions.
• →Develop and execute an integrated global communications strategy for the oncology portfolio that aligns with business priorities, product strategies, clinical development plans and the broader company narrative.
• →Translate oncology product strategy into differentiated communications strategies and narratives that articulate clinical value, unmet need, patient impact, competitive positioning and the role of each asset within the broader portfolio.
• →Lead communications planning across the full product lifecycle, including early pipeline milestones, pivotal data, regulatory submissions and decisions, medical congresses, launches, label expansions, new indications, lifecycle management and loss-of-exclusivity considerations.
• →Partner closely with Global and U.S. Commercial, Research and Development, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Outcomes Research, Regulatory, Legal, Investor Relations, Public Policy, Patient Engagement and regional and market communications teams.
• →Build integrated communications plans for priority oncology assets and tumor areas, ensuring consistent positioning while addressing market-specific business needs, stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements.
• →Direct communications for major scientific and medical milestones, including data announcements and presentations at priority medical meetings, ensuring accurate interpretation of evidence and coordinated execution across earned, owned, social and executive channels.
• →Provide strategic communications counsel for oncology product launches and indication expansions, including disease-awareness strategies, launch narratives, executive engagement, media strategy, stakeholder materials and internal readiness.
• →Strengthen the company’s oncology reputation through enterprise storytelling, thought leadership and integrated campaigns that connect pipeline innovation, product impact, patient experience and the company’s long-term commitment to transforming cancer care.
• →Anticipate and manage product, clinical, regulatory and reputational issues. Lead scenario planning, rapid-response communications and executive counsel in partnership with cross-functional teams.
• →Build and maintain relationships with influential external stakeholders, including healthcare and trade media, oncology experts, patient advocacy organizations, professional societies and other relevant stakeholders.
• →Oversee communications related to oncology business development, licensing, acquisitions, alliances and partnerships, ensuring alignment with portfolio strategy, investor communications and enterprise positioning.
• →Establish effective governance, operating rhythms and decision rights across global, regional and market communications teams to promote clear accountability, consistency and speed.
• →Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team of communications professionals and agency partners, building oncology expertise, strategic capability and a strong succession pipeline.
• →Manage the oncology communications budget and agency roster, prioritizing resources based on business value, patient impact, reputational opportunity and risk.
• →Define meaningful measures of success and use insights, analytics and external benchmarking to evaluate impact, improve decision-making and optimize communications strategies.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in communications, business, science, public health or a related field preferred.

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive communications experience, including significant leadership experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or healthcare industry.
• Extensive oncology communications experience, with a strong understanding of the oncology market, clinical development, regulatory environment, scientific exchange and evolving standards of care.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing product strategy communications for oncology assets across multiple lifecycle stages.
• Proven leadership of communications for major product launches, indication expansions, clinical data milestones, regulatory decisions and priority medical congresses.
• Strong ability to translate complex scientific, clinical and commercial information into clear, credible and compelling communications for varied audiences.
• Deep understanding of the relationships among product strategy, portfolio positioning, market access, medical strategy, patient needs, the competitive landscape and corporate reputation.
• Demonstrated success partnering with senior executives and influencing decisions in a highly matrixed, global organization.
• Strong issues and crisis management experience, including the ability to anticipate risk, exercise sound judgment and lead with calm and urgency in high-pressure situations.
• Established ability to build relationships with media, external experts, patient advocacy organizations and other influential stakeholders.
• Proven people leadership experience, including leading leaders, developing talent, managing performance and creating an inclusive, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation and narrative-development skills.
• Strong business acumen, strategic thinking and ability to balance long-term portfolio priorities with immediate execution needs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-visibility priorities, budgets and agency partners in a complex and rapidly changing environment.

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Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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 https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.