Job Description

The External Affairs Manager will support the development of a favorable external environment for China R&D through strategic stakeholder engagement, external collaboration, and effective external positioning of key R&D initiatives and achievements. This role will work closely with internal R&D teams, China Communications, Legal, Compliance and other relevant functions to support the execution of the China R&D 2030 strategy and enhance the organization’s external presence and reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including government agencies, industry associations, and key experts, to support the advancement of China R&D priorities
• Monitor policy developments relevant to the company’s R&D areas; assess potential impacts on R&D activities and stakeholder landscape, and provide timely insights and recommendations
• Translate China R&D priorities into structured external affairs plans, ensuring alignment with global strategy and the local stakeholder environment, while enhancing external visibility and positioning
• Identify leadership external engagement needs and support the development of materials for external interactions; translate complex scientific and technical information into clear, accurate and audience-appropriate messaging
• Drive the planning and execution of key external collaboration initiatives; identify appropriate platforms and partners to enhance China R&D’s visibility, credibility and stakeholder engagement
• Collaborate with the Communications team to ensure consistency in messaging, appropriate use of channels, and effective external representation of R&D initiatives and achievements
• Work closely with Legal, Compliance and relevant functions to review external content and ensure alignment with applicable regulations, company policies and data confidentiality requirements
• Partner with Communications and other relevant functions to monitor policy, industry, and public sentiment trends; identify emerging risks and key issues, proactively assess their potential impact on R&D activities, project execution, and company reputation, and recommend mitigation strategies

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Communication Coordination, Data Analysis, Emerging Risks, Engaging Leadership, Global Strategy, Government Agencies, Healthcare Policies, Health Economics, Impact Analysis, Legislative Issues, Mitigation, Platform Selection, Policy Development, Policy Interpretation, Policy Monitoring, Political Forums, Public Affairs, R&D Engineering, Regulatory Awareness, Regulatory Compliance Consulting, Regulatory Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Relationship Management {+ 2 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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

no

Job Posting End Date:

10/31/2026

*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.