Patient Engagement & Public Policy, Associate Director

Job Description

Patient Engagement, Advocacy & Policy

• Lead the development and execution of the local patient engagement and advocacy strategy.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and patient advocacy organizations, disease-focused associations, healthcare coalitions, and community stakeholders.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen strategic partnerships with patient organizations and key healthcare stakeholders to advance patient-centered healthcare solutions and improve health outcomes.
• Shape the local healthcare policy environment by identifying, assessing, and supporting policy initiatives that align with organizational priorities and patient needs.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and healthcare policy developments, assessing opportunities, risks, and potential impacts on patients and the business.
• Integrate patient perspectives into policy, public affairs, and business strategies to ensure patient needs and experiences are appropriately reflected in organizational priorities.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance advocacy initiatives that improve access to healthcare and support patient-centered public policy solutions.
• Represent the organization in interactions with patient organizations, healthcare associations, advocacy coalitions, policymakers, and community leaders.
• Develop governance frameworks and performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of patient engagement and advocacy programs.

Stakeholder Relations & Public Affairs

• Lead the research, development, and implementation of public affairs strategies and programs that strengthen relationships with governmental, regulatory, healthcare, community, and industry stakeholders.
• Develop, plan, and implement strategic stakeholder engagement initiatives that enhance the organization's reputation and influence within the healthcare ecosystem.
• Act as the organization's representative in community initiatives, healthcare forums, policy discussions, and stakeholder events.
• Build collaborative partnerships that support organizational goals while creating value for patients and communities.
• Interpret and apply evolving regulatory, compliance, and policy requirements using sound judgment and strategic thinking.
• Anticipate stakeholder needs and identify opportunities to advance organizational and healthcare system priorities.

Grants, Donations & Sponsorships Management

• Manage the end-to-end grants, donations, and sponsorships process, including opportunity assessment, due diligence, budgeting, internal reviews, approvals, contracting, execution, documentation, payment coordination, and post-award monitoring.
• Ensure all grants, charitable contributions, sponsorships, and patient organization support activities comply with company policies, industry codes, ethical standards, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, Compliance, Medical Affairs, and other key stakeholders to ensure appropriate governance, transparency, and accountability.
• Monitor and measure the impact and effectiveness of grants, donations, and sponsorship programs to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and community needs.
• Maintain oversight of reporting, auditing, and compliance requirements related to all funding activities.

Strategic Communications Integration & Corporate Reputation

• Partner closely with the Associate Director, Communications to ensure alignment of patient engagement, advocacy, policy, and corporate reputation strategies across all business divisions and functions.
• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for patient engagement, healthcare policy, public affairs, and advocacy, providing strategic guidance and content direction for communication initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Communications Associate Director to develop integrated stakeholder engagement and communication strategies that support organizational priorities.
• Ensure patient perspectives, policy priorities, and advocacy initiatives are appropriately reflected in communication plans, campaigns, executive messaging, thought leadership activities, and corporate storytelling.
• Support the development of key messages, communication frameworks, stakeholder engagement plans, and issues-management strategies related to policy and patient advocacy priorities.
• Provide strategic counsel to leadership on policy, advocacy, and stakeholder matters that may impact organizational reputation and business objectives.
• Coordinate with Medical Affairs, Market Access, Commercial, Human Resources, Finance, Compliance, Legal, and other functions to ensure consistency of messaging and alignment of stakeholder engagement activities.
• Support the planning and execution of stakeholder events, public engagement initiatives, executive engagements, policy forums, and advocacy meetings.
• Act as a strategic connector across all divisions, ensuring patient and stakeholder insights inform business decisions, communication strategies, and organizational priorities.
• Contribute to crisis preparedness and issues management activities related to patient advocacy, public policy, healthcare access, and stakeholder relations.

Leadership & Strategic Execution

• Interpret internal and external business challenges and recommend innovative solutions that improve organizational effectiveness and stakeholder outcomes.
• Solve complex problems by taking a broad strategic perspective and applying sound business judgment.
• Lead cross-functional teams, projects, and initiatives while influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
• Challenge current processes, services, and approaches and recommend alternative solutions when appropriate.
• Make decisions guided by policy, business objectives, compliance principles, and stakeholder impact.
• Manage large or multiple projects with moderate resource requirements, risk profiles, and organizational complexity.
• Forecast, plan, and monitor budgets, project costs, and resource requirements.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, belonging, and continuous improvement.
• Act as a trusted advisor and resource across multiple business areas.

Qualifications

Required

• Expertise in patient engagement, public policy, public affairs, stakeholder relations, healthcare advocacy, strategic communications, and corporate reputation management.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing relationships with patient organizations, healthcare stakeholders, policymakers, advocacy groups, and community leaders.
• Strong understanding of healthcare policy, healthcare systems, and the regulatory environment affecting patient access and healthcare delivery.
• Experience managing grants, donations, sponsorships, or community investment programs, including governance, compliance, budgeting, and reporting.
• Expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, communications strategy, public relations, and reputation management.
• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to develop and implement effective policies and programs.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across Medical Affairs, Market Access, Commercial, Legal, Compliance, Finance, Human Resources, and Communications functions.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and managing complex stakeholder environments.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements and ethical standards governing interactions with patient organizations, healthcare stakeholders, and external partners.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and enterprise mindset.
• Proven ability to lead change, influence without authority, and drive organizational impact.
• Strong leadership capabilities, including innovation, problem-solving, and execution excellence.
• Demonstrated success in coaching, talent development, and team leadership.
• Exceptional emotional intelligence and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commitment to Inclusion and Belonging.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and ownership.
• Excellent networking, partnership-building, and relationship-management capabilities.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly regulated, and matrixed environment.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Advertising Communications, Communications Programs, Communication Strategy Development, Content Creation, Educational Materials Development, Ethical Standards, Marketing Coordination, Market Opportunity Assessment, Medical Affairs, Multi-Management, Organizational Effectiveness, Patient Advocacy, Pharmaceutical Policies, Public Affairs, Public Health Research, Public Policy Development, Public Relations Services, Social Media Communications, Special Event Planning, Stakeholder Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Communication Planning {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

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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:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

08/12/2026

*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.

Requisition ID:R408017