Job Description

The Director, Issues Management and Crisis Mitigation is responsible for driving comprehensive issues preparedness and management strategies and crisis communication plans to protect and enhance the company's reputation. This person must be able to identify areas of reputational risk, navigate high-pressure situations effectively and collaborate with internal teams across the organization, including legal, regulatory affairs and senior management to develop strategies and execute plans.

This role involves monitoring risks and threats to the business and reputation, conducting risk assessments and scenario plans, developing issues preparedness and mitigation plans and coordinating and executing crisis management strategies and plans to protect the company's interests. The role may also involve coordination and participation in reputation recovery campaigns, if necessary.

The Director, Issues Management and Crisis Mitigation, will report into the Associate Vice President, External Affairs. This person will serve as the primary point of contact for all issues management and crisis-related communications and collaborate cross-functionally to provide guidance and support during high-profile incidents or issues.

Scope of work and responsibilities include:

• Work across functions to monitor for, address and manage issues that impact the pharmaceutical industry, such as healthcare access, affordability, social determinants of health and other public health concerns.

• Work with digital communications team and utilize social listening to stay informed about potential crisis triggers and emerging pharmaceutical industry and healthcare issues, as well as societal issues that can impact industry leaders and large employers.

• Drive the implementation of issues management strategies that anticipate potential reputational challenges, outlining reactive and/or proactive issues management or crisis communication plans to mitigate or minimize reputational impact.

• Maintain risk assessments, scenario plans, crisis communication plans, protocols and tools to ensure they are up-to-date, actionable and ready for timely and strategic activation.

• Create and maintain crisis communication materials, including press releases, Q&A documents and internal memos.

• Provide clear, timely and accurate updates to employees, media and other stakeholders during crises.

• Monitor and analyze media coverage and public sentiment to inform communication strategies.

• Prepare and train spokespersons for media interactions and public statements.

• Conduct crisis simulation exercises and drills to test the effectiveness of communication plans, identify areas for improvement and enhance the crisis response capabilities of the communications team.

• Conduct post-crisis analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies, identify lessons learned, make recommendations for continuous improvement and improve future responses.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field.

• 10 years of in-house or agency experience in a communications role or similar function, with a preference for experience in pharma, biotech or a highly regulated industry.

• Prior experience leading crisis response and issues management.

• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory frameworks and compliance issues.

• Proven track record in leading projects or initiatives with multiple stakeholders across functions and regions, achieving results that meet objectives within timelines and budgets.

• Exceptional collaboration skills with the ability to work across all levels of the organization to drive strong business outcomes.

• Meticulous attention to detail and superior verbal, written and editing skills.

• Positive attitude and proactive approach to finding compliant solutions to challenges.

• Willingness to travel (domestic and international), as required.

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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 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 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.

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".

The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate's relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

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Job Posting End Date:

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Requisition ID:R334450