## Assoc. Dir., Data Architect ManagerApply: Hybrid: COL - Cundinamarca - Bogotá (Colpatria): Full time: Posted Today: End Date: September 30, 2026 (14 days left to apply): R412441Job Description**Brief Description**The Associate Director leads and develops a programming and reporting team - set goals, assign work, coach performance, and manage recruiting/onboarding - while communicating status and risks to leadership and partners. Provide hands-on technical review, solutioning support, enforce SOPs/standards, manage workload and prioritization, track quality and timelines, and drive best practices (code review, reusable components, test automation) and continuous improvement.**Responsibilities****Programming and reporting*** Lead design and deployment of clinical technology system solutions (e.g., for EDC, RTSM, and eCOA/ePRO) using programming frameworks and automation tools.* Provide technical oversight for clinical programming, reporting, and data integration across portfolios.* Recommend and implement tools to streamline design, build, and validation processes.* Apply data literacy to design transformation strategies for actionable insights.* Develop advanced reporting solutions (dashboards, listings, visual analytics) with reusable components and role-based access.**Data Engineering*** Define and govern integration architecture, including data sources and transformation workflows.* Ensure consistent implementation of enterprise standards and reusable assets.* Monitor and troubleshoot data ingestion and consumption for reliability.* Automate and strengthen data engineering processes to reduce risk and improve efficiency.* Develop robust data models, semantic layers, and curated datasets; enforce quality checks.**Process*** Drive process optimization by identifying gaps and implementing improvements.* Translate strategy into clear priorities, roadmaps, and ways of working for assigned domains.* Lead testing strategies for solutions; automate validation and ensure traceability.* Contribute to resource planning and workload distribution across global teams.* Set documentation and audit standards; ensure compliance through rigorous change management.* Lead cross-functional collaboration, meetings, and enterprise-level improvement programs.* Influence adoption of data standards, tools, and automation for better delivery and decision-making.* Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to build capabilities and foster a culture of quality and collaboration.* Support release management across environments; align stakeholders, lead UAT, and improve reporting standards.* Partner across teams to turn data and technical findings into clear, actionable recommendations* Act as a reliable partner to GDMS and other cross-functional teams, actively seeking input, aligning on priorities, and closing feedback loops to drive high-quality, coordinated delivery.**People management*** Set clear objectives aligned to organizational goals; assign work and set priorities.* Conduct regular check-ins and annual reviews; coach for performance; provide recognition.* Help develop career plans; create growth opportunities and promotion cases; ensure appropriate training and mentoring.* Support recruiting and hiring; manage sensitive employee-relations matters (including separations) in partnership with HR.* Balance workloads to support value-added work and work–life sustainability; anticipate obstacles and adjust plans.* Coordinate contingent resources across geographies; ensure role clarity and effective handoffs.* Support management of an operating budget and optimize spend against priorities.* Align teams around a clear direction; facilitate team/functional meetings.* Embrace Enterprise Leadership Skills principles and serve as a role model to their team* Drive enterprise leadership skills in the team* Champions organizational change; drives adoption of new operating models and digital capabilities across global functions* Support staff in the resolution of operational challenges through direct engagement, facilitation, mentoring, and strong problem-solving techniques.**Technical Skills*** Expert-level proficiency in different technology languages (e.g., SQL, Python, SAS, and R) for implementing clinical data collectors, integrations, transformations, visualizations* Evidence of experience in architecting and interoperability of EDC platforms, data integration environments, clinical operations systems, and cloud computing platforms* Proficiency with key data-management and/or clinical operations tools and platforms (e.g., systems for data capture, review, visualization, reconciliation, and reporting), with the ability to help select, configure, or optimize solutions.* Broad understanding of the data-management technology ecosystem (e.g., data capture, review, reconciliation, reporting, analytics, and enabling tools) and how components fit together across the end-to-end process.* Experience leveraging automation, scripting, or digital solutions to streamline data-management activities and reduce manual effort.* Ability to interpret operational and quality metrics, use analytical/forecasting tools for capacity and scenario planning, and translate insights into clear decisions and actions.* Strong understanding of common clinical and regulatory data standards, clinilcal operational data models, metadata management, and controlled terminologies (e.g., MedDRA, WHODrug) to ensure consistency and submission readiness.* Strong understanding of validation, system lifecycle, data-privacy, and System Development Lifecycle Management activities* Strong understanding of drug discovery process, FDA regulations, GxP / ICH guidelines* Ability to connect business outcomes to technical deliverables**Soft Skills*** Strong ability to lead teams in a matrixed, global organization while ensuring delivery excellence through effective problem-solving techniques* Demonstrated success in coaching, developing, and performance-managing high-performing individuals* Builds strong partnerships across technical, business, and quality functions to enhance collaboration and deliver integrated outcomes* Balances business needs, resource capacity, and compliance requirements to make sound operational decisions* Capable of leading teams through process and organizational transformation with empathy and clarity**Education*** With Bachelor of Arts / Sciences: Minimum of 8 years' experience working in in clinical data programming, data engineering, or related data-management/clinical operations functions. Minimum of 2 years people mgmt. experience. Demonstrated deep SME skills in clinical development.or* With Advanced Degree (master's or doctorate): Minimum of 4 years' experience working in clinical data programming, data engineering, or related data-management/clinical operations functions. Minimum of 2 years people mgmt. experience. Demonstrated deep SME skills in clinical development.* English level: Proficient**Required Skills:**Adaptability, Clinical Data Management, Clinical Trials, Data Analysis, Data Extraction, Data Integration, Data Validation, Decision Making, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Interpersonal Relationships, People Leadership, Pharmacovigilance, PL/SQL (Programming Language), Regulatory Compliance, Strategic Thinking**Preferred Skills:**Current Employees apply HERECurrent 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:**No relocation**VISA Sponsorship:**No**Travel Requirements:**No Travel Required**Flexible Work Arrangements:**Hybrid**Shift:**Not Indicated**Valid Driving License:**No**Hazardous Material(s):**NA**Job Posting End Date:**09/30/2026**\\*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.**Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.