Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Privacy Legal Counsel to provide strategic and practical legal advice to internal stakeholders on privacy and data protection issues related to the collection and processing of personal data, with a particular focus on data acquisition and stewardship, digital capabilities, innovative uses of data analytics and artificial intelligence, and collaborations with third parties. The position reports to the Chief Privacy Officer, will serve as a key strategic adviser on both commercial and research matters, and will collaborate closely with other Compliance functions, as well as ex-US legal counterparts, to ensure global alignment and consistency in approach.

Specific areas of responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Counsel on privacy and data protection matters across company operations, including with respect to research and development (e.g., clinical trials, informed consent), US commercial and access initiatives (e.g., patient support programs, digital health, innovative partnerships), and AI initiatives.

• Draft, review, and negotiate privacy terms for a wide array of contracts, including data protection agreements, data processing agreements, research and commercial collaboration agreements, and licensing agreements.

• Deliver structured, expert legal counsel and support for US litigation matters and data subject requests.

• Support global regulatory scanning efforts and, with respect to the US, evaluate potential changes to existing business practices and the Global Privacy Program to ensure continued compliance.

• Support response efforts for Privacy Incidents.

• Collaborate with legislative affairs teams to review proposed privacy laws and provide comments through privacy consortia and/or trade associations.

• Supervise activities and manage relationships with outside counsel.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Graduate of an accredited US law school; admission to the Bar of Pennsylvania, New Jersey or another state.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Member in good standing of a Bar of at least one US state or the District of Columbia

• 5+ years of experience practicing data privacy/protection law, either in-house or at a law firm, preferably in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare sector.

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of global data protection frameworks (e.g., GDPR, US state laws, HIPAA) and cross-border data transfer requirements.

• Experience advising on privacy aspects of US commercial programs, including patient support programs and digital health, is strongly preferred.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex privacy and legal concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders, and experience presenting to large groups and senior leaders.

• Established and effective business counseling skills, founded in a commitment to understanding company business practices and objectives and the application of law to the same. Demonstrates a practical, analytical, and collaborative approach to problem-solving.

• True “team player” with the ability to integrate seamlessly into a cohesive global team.

• Sound judgement founded on strong ethical values and compliance principles, demonstrated through rapid and disciplined decision making.

Locations:

• Upper Gwynedd (PA, USA) or Rahway (NJ, USA)

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC 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 Acts

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 salary range for this role is

$187,000.00 - $294,400.00

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 https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/a

Required Skills:

Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biotechnology, Confidentiality, Data Stewardship, Ethics, Exercises Judgment, Global Team Collaboration, Informed Consent, Legal Case Management, Legal Research, Legal Strategies, Negotiation, Pharmaceutical Law, Regulation Enforcement, Regulatory Compliance, Team Play

Preferred Skills:

Data Privacy, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Legal Practices

Job Posting End Date:

10/7/2025

*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.