Job Description

The Executive Director, Federal Policy and Government Relations - U.S. Senate is responsible for advancing federal policy priorities before the U.S. Senate, with a particular focus on Republican members.

This role is part of a collaborative team that works closely with internal and external stakeholders to build and sustain relationships across key constituencies.

Primary Responsibilities:

Manage and maintain strong, effective relationships with legislators, congressional staff, and external partners.
Leverage experience and established relationships with congressional leadership and key committees to advance policy priorities.
Work cross-functionally with colleagues to drive legislative priorities, emphasizing strategic engagement, continuous improvement, and innovative stakeholder outreach.
Develop a strong understanding of our company's mission, product pipeline, and therapeutic areas.
Support internal communications and employee education related to government relations and advocacy efforts.
Manage external consultants and represent our company in coalitions and other external organizations.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required.

Required Experience and Skills:

Minimum of 15 years of experience in U.S. public policy or advocacy, preferably within the healthcare sector. Strong knowledge of the congressional process required; private-sector and Capitol Hill experience strongly preferred.
Deep understanding of U.S. healthcare public policy processes, including the roles and influence of key stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to identify strategic priorities and work effectively within a matrixed organization to achieve policy objectives.
Experience managing external consultants.
Proven ability to work collaboratively across teams and organizations.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Required Skills:

Advocacy Communications, Advocacy Communications, Coalition Management, Communication, Communication Coordination, Communication Delivery, Engagement Strategies, Government Relations, Healthcare Policies, Healthcare Service, International Government Relations, International Trade Policy, Legislative Relations, Multilateral Organizations, Oral Communications, Policy Advocacy, Policy Development, Political Forums, Private Sector Development, Public Health Policies, Public Policies, Public Speaking, Regulatory Awareness, Stakeholder Buy-In, Stakeholder Engagement {+ 1 more}

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

EEOC GINA Supplement

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 salary range for this role is

$210,400.00 - $331,100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this 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.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

06/11/2026

*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.