Policy & Advocacy Manager

Job Description

Our company is a global healthcare leader with a diversified Human Health and Animal Health businesses.We are driven by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare. We are currently looking for a Policy & Advocacy Manager to join our team, reporting directly to the Director of Policy & Communications. This role will play a significant role in advancing our mission and impact in the healthcare sector.

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation to carry out the following:

• You'll develop and deliver initiatives to influence policy around access to innovation and priority therapy areas, including oncology.

• Analyze healthcare policy changes, understand their impact on our business, and share these critical insights across the organization.
• Create and execute a dynamic policy and advocacy plan for key therapy areas, collaborating closely with the Brand and EA teams.
• Track, measure, and report the success of these plans to ensure we’re making a difference.
• Implement strategies to position the company as a trusted partner with key stakeholders and foster sustainable relationships.
• Work hand-in-hand with above-country and local teams to develop innovative therapy area strategies, identify new opportunities, and collaborate with partners.
• Apply your intelligence and insight to analyze trends and propose strategic responses in collaboration with the Director.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, public forums, and coalition meetings, showcasing our commitment and progress.

Skills, qualifications & experience you will need

• You bring 7-10 years of experience in a policy/advocacy/public affairs role within the health sector, such as Pharma, HSE, or the voluntary sector.
• A degree in politics, policy, or a related field fuels your expertise.
• Your strong communication, project management, and collaboration skills are essential for this role.
• The ability to simplifying complex policy issues, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven relationship-building and networking abilities make you a crucial team player.
• As a strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, you drive our mission forward.

• Consultancy or public affairs experience adds an extra edge to your profile.

Our Companies in Ireland is one of the country’s leading healthcare companies, having first established here 50 years ago. The company has a dynamic and inclusive team of over 4,000 employees currently working across eight locations in Ballydine, Co. Tipperary, Brinny, Co. Cork, Dunboyne, Co. Meath, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Carlow and Dublin, and, in addition, operate substantial Human Health and Animal Health businesses. We work at the forefront of science and technology to advance manufacturing excellence and R&D across our Irish sites and global company network.  

Red Oak North in Dublin is our commercial Head Office for our Animal Health and Human Health businesses in addition to several global and national support services including Clinical Research, Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Sales, Policy & Communications and Marketing. 

Required Skills:

Communication Delivery, Communication Management, Global Health, Healthcare Policies, Oncology, Policy Development, Public Affairs, Public Health Policies, Public Relations Services, Research Networks, Stakeholder Engagement, Vaccine Policy

Preferred Skills:

Medical Affairs, Pharmaceutical Industry, Strategic Thinking

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:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

08/18/2026

*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.