Job Description
We are seeking a talented and motivated Senior Administrative Assistant to support the Animal Health Global Public Policy and Government Relations Leadership Team, reporting to the Associate Vice President Animal Health Policy. This is an ideal position for an executive assistant who works well under pressure with high visibility, is a self-starter, is passionate about delivering strategic value and wants to work in a dynamic, fast-moving, collaborative environment.
This position requires initiative, high attention to detail and the ability to learn quickly with a demonstrated ability and willingness to continuously acquire new competencies. It also requires good judgement, confidentiality, strong work ethics, a high degree of accountability, excellent organizational and computer skills, and cross-functional teamwork.
Location/commute:
This role is based at our headquarters site in Rahway (NJ, USA).
We offer a hybrid setup {combination of an in-office (3 days) & remote/offsite (2 days) with the need to be flexible due to schedule of the AVP.
This position cannot be 100% remote.
Primary responsibilities in support of AVP Animal Health? :
Manage executive's calendar and conserve executive's time by using discretion in setting up and accepting appointments gather pre-reads and background information when appropriate, and handling document creation, revisions and proofreading.
Organize and coordinate meetings and teleconferences. Handle and route critical communications from key external and internal stakeholders. Assist in agenda creation and provide meeting minutes when requested. Gather and organize meeting materials in advance. Reserve conference rooms and coordinate with appropriate departments for room-setups, audio-visual needs, security, catering, etc.
Responsible for managing action items and track progress from team meetings or events.
Handle logistics and assist with planning team meetings, off-site and special purpose meetings and events globally.
Receive external visitors and ensure they are properly always escorted.
Handle incoming requests and proactively take care of any routine matters and other requests that can be dealt with by the executive assistant.
Responsibilities for Animal Health Leadership Team:
Schedule and coordinate complex domestic and international travel; create detailed itineraries and adjust in real time as necessary
Prepare expense reports in Concur, purchase orders and payment requests in Comet or Ariba-ensuring compliance with company guidelines
Work directly with third party vendors and consultants in a professional and timely manner to resolve payment issues.
Manage third party vendor and consultant agreements, addendums, Statements of Work, working with Legal and Compliance, to ensure up to date agreements and ensure compliance with company guidelines.
Assist with providing approval for resources, accounts, travel, invoices and escalate to management as needed.
Partner and collaborate with other executive assistants within the Animal Health business and Corporate Affairs departments on a regular basis.
Help administer departmental SharePoint, MS Teams sites channels to grant permissions, create, organize and maintain files.
Assist with other responsibilities and special projects as needed.
Education minimum requirements:
High School Diploma or Equivalent
Required experience and skills:
Minimum 8 years administrative experience (or similar role) with at least 3 years supporting executive-level leaders.
Ability to work under pressure with little or no supervision to handle multiple tasks, as well as demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to handle sensitive data with discretion and confidentiality.
Organized and able to prioritize and coordinate multiple work activities with demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with individuals across multiple functions and at all levels of the business and with external stakeholders.
Forward-thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
Proficiency in using MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Teams).
Proficiency with SAP, Workday, Ariba or related software programs preferred.
Ability to learn new technology and digital tools to perform work efficiently.
Preferred Skills:
Language proficiency, i.e. French, Spanish, Dutch or other language capabilities.
Experience working in the political, government, NGO, or trade association areas.
Travel required as needed.
MSJR
Required Skills:
Accountability, Communication, Data Entry, Document Management, Event Planning, File Management, Financial Budgeting, Microsoft Office, Office Applications, Office Equipment, Process Improvements, Project Management, Scheduling, Software Proficiency, Team Coordination, Travel Scheduling, Vendor Management, Visa Applications
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$6687.htmld)
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE (https://wd5.myworkday.com/msd/d/task/1422$4020.htmld)
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 (https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/aCdfqL) 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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights\10\20.pdf)
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 (https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/CCPA-notice/)
U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".
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:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
N/A
Job Posting End Date:
11/8/2025
*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.
Requisition ID: R371974
