Job Description

Are you passionate about making a difference in the healthcare industry? Join our company to lead communications for the Asia Pacific region and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our medicines and vaccines portfolios. We are looking for a dynamic, strategic communicator who can drive impactful initiatives and enhance our company's reputation across the region. If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge, we want to hear from you!

The Associate Director, Asia Pacific (AP) Regional Communications is responsible for supporting the development and execution of our company’s external and internal communications strategy across the AP region. The Associate Director will work in collaboration with key stakeholders to support therapeutic area communications, inform and educate media, drive employee engagement and build a strong reputation for our company across the AP region.

You will act as a resource to regional leadership and key markets in executing impactful communications and reputation management activities. Carrying out this role requires ongoing interaction with key internal and external stakeholders including the regional leadership team, country communications teams and both the regional and global communications teams. This position will report to the Director of Communications, Asia Pacific.

The role is based in Singapore with travel required within the region as needed. No relocation support provided.

What will you do:

Support the Asia Pacific business through the delivery of communications strategies and plans that help shape the external environment, with a focus on our patients and customers, including:

Therapeutic Area Communications

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams on the development and activation of integrated, comprehensive communications strategies and programs in support of our current and future portfolio.

• Strong focus on product communications across our Oncology, Vaccines and Pharma portfolios, as well as our late-stage pipeline, including supporting launch preparedness for new assets.

• Manage public relations agencies and related program budgets to implement best-in-class communications plans.

• Proactively support issues preparedness and crisis management including key market support, scenario planning, material development and training to protect our company’s reputation and minimize risk to the business.

Media Relations and Social Media

• Champion the use of social media to raise company awareness and advance business, policy, and reputational objectives.

• Maintain relationships with journalists and develop relevant, timely and impactful media relations activities including events, briefings, campaigns, interviews and material development that support the strategic objectives and business priorities across Asia Pacific markets.

• Support the Director of Communications to lead and implement regional media relations and key external communications activities in support of regional prioritized strategic projects and partnerships.

• Serve as an advisor and provide guidance to our Regional Leadership Team and Asia Pacific markets on Social Media strategy and tactics, evaluating and driving engagement opportunities for markets and leaders.

Leadership Communications and Employee Engagement

• Oversee priority internal communications programs that strengthen employee engagement and foster a culture of transparency.

• Assist in the preparation of regional leader communications including development of briefing notes, town halls, business updates, email communications, videos and supporting materials.

• Develop impactful editorial content for internal channels to inform and engage employees.

Support to Asia Pacific in-market communicators

• In partnership with the Director of Communications, provide regular support and guidance to country teams to build communications capabilities and drive communications and business objectives.

• Ensure regional and local alignment with standard Global Communications strategies and plans for therapeutic area and product communications, media relations, employee communications, issues management and compliance.

What should you have:

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related field.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in strategic communications, corporate affairs, or public relations, ideally with either in-house (ideally in a multi-national organization) or agency experience. Pharmaceutical experience at a global, publicly traded company preferred.

• Product communications and product launch experience highly desirable.

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Ability to confidently lead and provide strategic counsel to executives to support business goals.

• Experience of living and working within the Asia Pacific region, and a deep understanding of the region’s healthcare landscape.

• Experience with and expert knowledge of media relations, internal communications, and social media, including the preparation of press releases, key messaging and speeches.

• Strong knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector, including understanding the roles and influence of various stakeholders, the regulatory environment, and with established relationships within the Asia Pacific media landscape.

• Demonstrated ability to identify strategic priorities, bring together different internal stakeholders, and move an agenda forward to resolution and action.

• Proven track record of proactive issues management and crisis preparedness.

• Ability to work collaboratively and inclusively in a highly matrixed environment, with team members from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Exceptional written, oral, and editorial communication skills and proficiency in English.

• Results-oriented, problem-solver with a proactive approach towards shaping the external environment.

• Team player, collaborative spirit, and the ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment.

Who we are:

We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and MSD everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.

What we look for:

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Advertising Communications, Business Communications, Communication, Communication Management, Communications Programs, Communication Strategy Development, Content Creation, Crisis Management, Educational Materials Development, Employee Engagement, Employee Engagement Strategies, Fast-Paced Environments, Leadership, Marketing Communications (MarCom), Marketing Coordination, Media Relations, Pharmaceutical Policies, Policy Briefings, Press Release Writing, Public Health Research, Public Policy Development, Public Relations Services, Reputation Management {+ 4 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

02/9/2026

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