Director, AI Communications Strategy

Job Description

Overview

At our company, we use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes how we discover, develop, manufacture and deliver medicines and vaccines, how we communicate our AI strategy and progress is critical to building understanding, trust and engagement.

The Director, AI Communications Strategy will lead the development and stewardship of our company’s enterprise AI narrative , connecting AI and agentic initiatives across Research & Development, Commercial, Manufacturing, IT, Talent and other areas into a clear, cohesive and compelling story.

This role will take a multi-channel, enterprise-wide approach , shaping how our AI ambitions, investments, capabilities and impact are communicated across internal and external audiences. The Director will ensure individual AI initiatives ladder up to a consistent enterprise narrative that reinforces our company’s strategy, purpose and reputation.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned strategic communications leader who can connect complex and rapidly evolving topics across the enterprise, translate them into human-centered narratives, and advise senior leaders on how to communicate AI credibly and consistently. This individual will bring strong judgment, exceptional storytelling capabilities and the ability to influence across a highly matrixed global organization.

The Director will work collaboratively across Global Communications and in close partnership with Strategy, IT, Research & Development, Commercial, Manufacturing, Talent, Change Management, Learning & Development and other enterprise partners to align priorities and ensure a cohesive communications approach.

This individual will report to the Executive Director, IT Strategic Communications, and will be part of the Global Employee and Executive Communications team.

Scope of work and core responsibilities

Enterprise narrative and communications strategy

- Own and lead the overarching enterprise AI narrative , creating a cohesive story that connects AI priorities and initiatives across Research & Development, Commercial, Manufacturing, IT, Talent and other areas of the business.
- Develop and drive an integrated enterprise AI communications strategy for internal and external audiences, aligned with our company’s strategic priorities, purpose and reputation.
- Establish enterprise messaging frameworks that articulate our AI ambition, approach, progress and impact while allowing individual businesses and functions to adapt the narrative appropriately for their audiences.
- Serve as a senior strategic communications counselor to executives and enterprise leaders, advising on AI positioning, messaging, reputation and stakeholder engagement.
- Bring together communications leaders and cross-functional partners across the organization to identify enterprise stories, align priorities and create a coordinated approach to AI communications.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen differentiation and reinforce our Company’s leadership and reputation through strategic AI communications.
- Apply external insights, stakeholder perspectives and emerging AI trends to continuously strengthen the enterprise narrative and communications strategy.
- Establish measurable communications objectives and evaluate effectiveness, engagement and reputation impact.
- Provide strategic communications counsel related to emerging AI issues, opportunities and reputational considerations.
- Manage agency partners, resources and budgets as appropriate.

Executive thought leadership and external reputation

- Develop an integrated external storytelling and thought-leadership strategy that positions our company’s approach to AI within the broader healthcare, technology and scientific landscape.
- Identify and develop distinctive enterprise stories demonstrating how AI supports innovation and advances Our Purpose.
- Lead communications strategies for high-impact external opportunities, including media engagement, executive speaking opportunities, industry forums, and other reputation-building platforms.
- Counsel and prepare senior leaders for external engagements, including messaging, briefing materials, executive positioning and media preparation.
- Partner across Global Communications to ensure external AI storytelling supports the broader corporate reputation strategy.

Internal narrative, engagement and change

- Translate the enterprise AI narrative into an internal communications strategy that helps employees understand where the company is going with AI, why it matters and their role in the transformation .
- Create storytelling strategies that connect individual AI initiatives to the broader enterprise journey and demonstrate tangible impact across the business.
- Partner with Talent, Change-Management, Learning & Development and AI learning teams to support AI adoption, capability building and cultural change.
- Equip communicators and leaders with messaging, narratives, toolkits and resources that enable consistent communication across the organization.
- Identify opportunities to build employee understanding, confidence and pride in our Company’s AI journey.

Integrated content and channel strategy

- Provide strategic direction for enterprise AI content and storytelling across internal and external channels.
- Partner with content, digital, media and social teams to ensure AI stories are coordinated, timely and connected to the broader enterprise narrative.
- Ensure communications reach the right audiences through the appropriate channels while maintaining consistency in positioning and messaging.
- Guide development of high-impact written, digital, video, visual and executive communications.

Required minimum qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, business or a related field.
- Minimum 8–10 years of progressive communications experience spanning corporate, executive, external and/or employee communications , with demonstrated experience leading enterprise-level communications strategies.
- Minimum 3–5 years of supervisory experience and/or significant experience leading complex, cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
- Demonstrated experience developing and leading enterprise narratives that connect multiple businesses, functions or strategic priorities into a cohesive story.
- Proven ability to act as a strategic communications advisor to senior executives and influence decision-making in complex organizations.
- Demonstrated experience translating complex topics such as AI, technology, data, science or digital transformation into clear, credible and compelling narratives.
- Strong fluency with GenAI and demonstrated experience applying AI and/or agentic technologies to communications activities, workflows or processes.
- Exceptional storytelling, writing and editing skills across formats, including executive communications, speeches, media materials, digital content, video scripts and social content.
- Proven success leading major communications programs and enterprise-wide initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
- Strong business acumen and the ability to connect communications strategy to broader organizational priorities and reputation.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity, anticipate emerging issues and identify opportunities in a rapidly evolving environment.
- Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to build alignment across functions and levels.
- Ability to bring outside-in perspectives, emerging communications practices and external trends into enterprise strategy.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, resources and partners in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Preferred qualifications

- Experience developing enterprise or corporate narratives across complex, global organizations.
- Experience in employee communications, executive communications, change communications, public relations and corporate reputation.
- Experience communicating AI, emerging technology, digital transformation, data or other complex technical/scientific topics .
- Experience within healthcare, life sciences or another highly regulated industry, particularly within a large global or Fortune 500 organization.
- Experience supporting executive thought leadership and external reputation-building programs.
- Agency experience or experience managing external communications agencies.

Required Skills:
Business Communications, Change Management Communication, Communication Management, Communication Strategy Development, Communications Writing, Communication Tools, Content Strategy, Crisis Communication Management, IT Change Management, Multi-Management, Strategic Storytelling

Preferred Skills:

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

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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

The primary location for this posting is:
USA - New Jersey - Rahway

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:
$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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 .

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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:
25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/a

Job Posting End Date:
11/4/2026
*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.