Job Id
289492
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Job Type
Full-time
Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join EMD Serono.
Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That’s why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.
United As One for Patients, our purpose in Healthcare is to help create, improve and prolong lives. We develop medicines, intelligent devices and innovative technologies in therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Neurology and Fertility. Our teams work together across 6 continents with passion and relentless curiosity in order to help patients at every stage of life. Joining our Healthcare team is becoming part of a diverse, inclusive and flexible working culture, presenting great opportunities for personal development and career advancement across the globe.
This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. External applicants must be eligible to work in the US.
Your Role:
As the Director, Head of Global R&D Communications at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, you will spearhead strategies that position our Healthcare R&D as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry. Reporting to the Head of Therapeutic Area Communications, you will create integrated strategies that enhance engagement, awareness, and reputation for R&D initiatives, key milestones, and organizational transformations. Serving as the Communications Business Partner to the Global Head of R&D, you will be an integral part of both the R&D Leadership Team (RDCM) and the Healthcare Communications Leadership Team.
This role demands collaboration with the Communications team, cross-functional stakeholders, and external partners. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and creative skills, a growth mindset, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating a results-driven approach and excellent organizational abilities. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a global R&D communications strategy that aligns with business priorities and overall company positioning.
• Lead communications for critical R&D milestones, including pipeline data and regulatory achievements.
• Manage communications for business development activities, such as in-licensing and mergers & acquisitions, while fostering strong partner relationships.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on material reviews under tight deadlines.
• Provide expert communications counsel for R&D change management initiatives.
• Define KPIs to ensure impactful communications that reach key audiences.
• Tailor communication strategies for the Global Head of R&D.
• Drive external positioning of our R&D efforts across various channels, highlighting scientific advancements that enhance patient outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with the US Team to strengthen brand recognition for EMD Serono.
• Serve as a communications partner to senior R&D executives and on the Healthcare Communications Leadership Team.
• Lead large-scale internal engagement events, such as Town Halls and R&D Days.
• Partner with agencies to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget.

Location: Boston and Billerica, MA; Hybrid Role (3x week onsite based on Stakeholder needs)
Travel: <10%; International and Domestic
Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or communications.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in communications, PR, biotech, or pharmaceuticals, focusing on R&D and/or product communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage at all levels and lead presentations.
• Collaborative team player skilled in internal and external communications, change management, and vendor management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12+ years of communications experience with a focus on R&D and/or pharmaceutical product communications.
• Experience in relevant therapeutic areas (e.g., Oncology).
• Expertise in data and regulatory communications, as well as business development and M&A.
• Proficient in managing MLR reviews.
• Intermediate skills in generative AI platforms and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!
and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!

• Develop and execute a global R&D communications strategy that aligns with business priorities and overall company positioning.
• Lead communications for critical R&D milestones, including pipeline data and regulatory achievements.
• Manage communications for business development activities, such as in-licensing and mergers & acquisitions, while fostering strong partner relationships.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on material reviews under tight deadlines.
• Provide expert communications counsel for R&D change management initiatives.
• Define KPIs to ensure impactful communications that reach key audiences.
• Tailor communication strategies for the Global Head of R&D.
• Drive external positioning of our R&D efforts across various channels, highlighting scientific advancements that enhance patient outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with the US Team to strengthen brand recognition for EMD Serono.
• Serve as a communications partner to senior R&D executives and on the Healthcare Communications Leadership Team.
• Lead large-scale internal engagement events, such as Town Halls and R&D Days.
• Partner with agencies to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget