Associate Director, Clinical Trial Lead (all genders) 1

Merck; Eysins; Hybrid; CHF 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking an experienced leader to own the end-to-end clinical operational strategy for Phase I–IV studies. The role includes leading large, global trial teams, directing budgets, timelines, and quality, and ensuring compliance with ICH-GCP and SOPs.

You will mentor colleagues and drive cross-functional collaboration within a matrix organization. The ideal candidate has 8+ years in clinical research, with substantial managerial experience and expertise across therapeutic areas.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years in clinical research experience in CRO or Pharma/biotech.
• 7+ years in-depth knowledge of clinical trial management with managerial responsibility.
• Experience across multiple therapeutic areas and phase I–IV trials.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end clinical operations strategy and delivery for Phase I–IV studies.
• Lead global trial teams in a matrix organization, aligning with governance committees.
• Manage budgets, timelines, and quality standards; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Mentor team members and act as a reusable best-practice resource.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Education

Advanced degree

PM certification

Job description

Work Your Magic with us!

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you've got big plans - so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people's lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

United As One for Patients, our purpose in Healthcare is to help create, improve and prolong lives. We develop medicines, intelligent devices and innovative technologies in therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Neurology and Fertility. Our teams work together across 6 continents with passion and relentless curiosity in order to help patients at every stage of life. Joining our Healthcare team is becoming part of a diverse, inclusive and flexible working culture, presenting great opportunities for personal development and career advancement across the globe.

This role requires to be on-site in our office in Eysins CH for 3 days per week.

Your role:

In this pivotal role, you will own the end-to-end clinical operational strategy and delivery of Phase I -IV studies, including registrational trials, within a hybrid-sourcing or in-house model. You will lead large-sized global clinical trial teams in a matrix organization, directing, influencing, and motivating stakeholders across closely related and broader functional areas to create a high-performing, positive working climate. You will develop and drive the clinical trial strategy while maintaining full accountability for successful project execution, including the delivery of clinical operational budgets, timelines, and quality standards as agreed upon by Governance Committees. As a core member of the Clinical Operations Team and leader of the Clinical Trial Team, you will align trial activities with organizational goals, the Clinical Operations Team, and the Global Program Strategy Team.

You will filter, prioritize, analyze, and validate complex and dynamic information from a diverse range of internal and external sources to address operational and organizational challenges in a holistic manner, proactively mitigating risks. You will serve as a mentor within and beyond the team, acting as a best-practice resource across your discipline and technical functional teams. You will ensure all study management activities are completed in full compliance with SOPs, Working Instructions, and local regulatory guidance, including ICH-GCP, and will lead audit activities and provide interview responses as required. You will contribute to non-study-related initiatives alongside study assignments, provide independent reports and updates to senior management, and demonstrate a high level of creativity and innovation to support projects from a strategic perspective, predicting outcomes and driving toward goal achievement.

Who you are:

• At least 8 years in clinical research in a CRO or Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology Industry environment with at least 7 years of in-depth knowledge and experience in clinical trial management including managerial responsibility.
• Expert experience in multiple Therapeutic Areas.
• Requires strong professional experience in relevant disciplines and substantial project management experience, with strong market and competitor knowledge.
• Expert experience in all aspects of clinical study planning and startup (including budget and resource planning), and in executing the complete range of clinical study activities from start up through final study report.
• Strong leadership competencies and influencing skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to foster partnerships across projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Advanced degree desirable (MPH, MS, MA, MBA, PharmD); PM certification desirable.

What we offer:

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!