Global Head of Study Start-Up & Clinical Ops

Merck; Eysins; On-site; CHF 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking an experienced clinical development leader to head the Study Start-Up Unit, providing strategic direction and operational oversight across the portfolio.

You will accelerate country and site activation, work across Global Development Operations, R&D and external partners to ensure start-up strategies are efficient, compliant, and focused on bringing medicines to patients faster.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, healthcare, clinical research, business, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in clinical development or related field, with 5+ years in people leadership.
• Significant experience leading global study start-up across multiple therapeutic areas and phases.
• Strong knowledge of country/site activation, GCP, risk management, CRO oversight, and cross-functional operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Study Start-Up Unit and set strategic direction for clinical study start-up activities across the portfolio.
• Provide operational oversight based on quality, performance, and delivery trends with clear accountability.
• Drive data-informed planning of country and site start-up activities for high-quality execution.
• Identify, assess, mitigate and communicate risks that affect timelines, quality, cost or delivery.
• Foster solution-oriented problem solving and timely escalation with external partners.
• Accelerate study start-up through process redesign, technology enablement, and continuous improvement.
• Design and implement country/site start-up strategies supporting recruitment and R&D return on investment.
• Negotiate and execute agreements with institutions and healthcare organizations in line with compliance.
• Act as senior escalation point and interface with CROs and external service providers.
• Contribute to governance and leadership teams shaping clinical delivery strategy and trial execution.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Global study start-up

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Data-driven planning

CRO oversight

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences / healthcare / clinical research

Tools

Predictive analytics

Clinical systems

Job description

Merck is seeking an experienced clinical development leader to head the Study Start-Up Unit, providing strategic direction and operational oversight across the portfolio.

You will accelerate country and site activation, work across Global Development Operations, R&D and external partners to ensure start-up strategies are efficient, compliant, and focused on bringing medicines to patients faster.