Communications Lead - KSA

Job Description

As the Communications Lead, you will work in collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders to build our communication strategy and drive its execution in Saudi Arabia. You will drive internal and external communications via different channels to enable employee engagement, develop a strong reputation for our company, and position our products externally with our partners and community.

Primary activities include, but are not limited to:

External communication strategy

• Understand external landscape and key stakeholders across Saudi Arabia and build a multi-channel external communications strategy aligned with company priorities and endorsed by company leadership team and key internal stakeholders.
• Build a strong network with media outlets in the country along with external stakeholders such as media government offices, trade associations and NGOs to effectively and compliantly position our company, our activities and our products.
• Ensure appropriate use of corporate branding, messaging and narratives in all communications and branding materials and activities.
• Serve as the point of contact to regional and global stakeholders for executing and communicating global and regional programs/campaigns/initiatives as appropriate in the country.

Therapeutic Area Communications

• Lead in developing and implementing communications plans to raise awareness and understanding of the value, impact and promise of our medicines, vaccines, discovery science and pipeline in line with the business objectives and product priorities
• Support therapeutic area cross functional teams in executing franchise communication plans
• Partner with the government media office on joint awareness campaigns.

Media Relations

• Create opportunities and drive positive media coverage of our company, its priority disease areas and key brands by developing and implementing effective media relations strategies for the company and therapeutic franchises.
• Manage and foster media relationships across the Kingdom
• Manage media issues and risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage  social media channels and leverage platforms to raise awareness and understanding of the value, impact and promise of our medicines, vaccines, discovery science and pipeline in line with the business objectives and product priorities
• Ensure media monitoring and analysis on topics related to the pharmaceutical industry, company and company portfolio

Internal Communications

• Lead planning and development of a comprehensive strategy for regular effective and relevant communications to employees focused on business priorities, corporate reputation, talent development, change management and employee engagement
• Partner with relevant internal departments including HR, to coordinate and support in content creation for internal communications, ensure content and the design are in line with the corporate brand guidelines and provide support to key internal communications activities.
• Serve as the point of contact to regional and global stakeholders for executing and communicating global and regional employee programs/campaigns/initiatives in the country

Leadership Communications:

• Support Saudi Managing Director and other leaders with internal and external communications, including development of briefing notes, town halls, email communications and scripting of videos
• Support MD with external media interviews, speeches and talking points for external events.

Event Organization / Participation

• Help design and organize internal employee events and activities (Town Halls, Employee Networking / Employees Business Related Groups, Groups events etc.) in collaboration with relevant teams & stakeholders.
• Design and organize external PR events to raise the Company profile aligned with Company priorities in collaboration with different partners.
• Gather insights and intelligence on external activities to prioritize company participation among associations and society.

Project Management & Administration 

• Analyze and report effectiveness of communications activities.
• Track KPIs for awareness campaigns and other activities.
• Coordinate work with communications vendors and external partners.
• Ensure collaboration and alignment with relevant communication teams on a regional and global level.
• Manage approval processes with legal and compliance functions for communication materials according to company policies and procedures.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Saudi nationality  required.
• At least 8 years’ experience in corporate multinational companies or PR & Media agencies, 4 solid years of experience in communications and/or public affairs coupled with strong business acumen and relationships with the healthcare ecosystem (must).
• Proven track record of successful communication strategy development and execution, experience interacting with senior executives and key external stakeholders including government officials and media.
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communications skills in English and Arabic (must).
• Exhibits initiative, creative thinking and problem solving in response to the communications challenges and opportunities.
• Organizational skills, ability to manage multiple projects and meet short deadlines.
• Familiarity with working with legal and compliance in a regulated industry
• Strong experience with social media and digital formats.
• Highly motivated and able to effectively communicate and collaborate in cross-functional teams, across multiple languages and cultures.
• Team player, collaborative spirit, ability to succeed in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment

Required Skills:

Communication Strategy Development, Corporate Communications Strategy, External Communication, Internal Communications, Media Relations, Project Management, Social Media Communications, Special Event Planning, Strategic Communication Planning, Strategic Thinking

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:

05/6/2026

*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.