Associate Director, Global Data Management & Standards, Learning & Development Lead. (Hybrid)

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ seeks Associate Director, Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) Academy to lead onboarding and global skill development. You will translate capability needs into learning pathways, curricula, and delivery mechanisms, partnering with HR and enterprise L&D to align tools, dashboards, and privacy controls.

You will shape strategy, design metrics, and drive continuous improvement across regional and global teams, mentoring SMEs, and ensuring scalable training programs that

Qualifications

• In depth knowledge of clinical trial operations and clinical data management.
• Proficiency in designing curriculum architecture and learning pathways aligned to role-based competency and skills frameworks.
• Experience developing assessment strategy and evaluation methods including competency-based validation.
• Experience building and sustaining communities of practice and peer-learning mechanisms (facilitation, mentoring, knowledge sharing).
• Working knowledge of learning analytics and dashboarding (coverage, completion, proficiency, impact/behavior change, ROI/benefits).
• Experience integrating curricula and reporting with enterprise learning technologies (e.g., LMS/LXP) while applying data privacy and access controls.
• Ability to translate internal/external insights and lessons learned into learning assets.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain GDMS onboarding material and processes aligned with onboarding activities.
• Define skill and knowledge requirements aligned with business needs.
• Develop role-based competency frameworks, curricula, and delivery mechanisms.
• Engage with HR, enterprise L&D, and GCTO to source curated training materials.
• Lead continuous improvement of the GDMS Academy curriculum using analytics and benchmarking insights.

Skills

Clinical trial operations

Clinical data management

Curriculum architecture design

Learning pathways design

Assessment strategy

Communications

Learning analytics

LMS/LXP integration

Stakeholder influence

Mentoring & coaching

Strategic leadership

Change management

Education

Bachelor's Degree + 8+ yrs in pharma/L&D

Advanced Degree (Masters/PhD) + 4+ yrs in pharma/L&D

Job description

Job Description

The Associate Director, Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) Academy reports to the Head of Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) Business Operations and leads the strategy and execution for GDMS onboarding and the global skill and knowledge development framework. In collaboration with GDMS functional area leaders, translates capability needs into learning pathways, appropriately leveled knowledge content, and role-based curricula. The role defines standards for curriculum design, evaluation, and learning operations, and builds scalable mechanisms for training delivery and consumption. Partnering with enterprise learning and development, leverages curated training and learning sources, ensures alignment on learning technologies, aligns to training record keeping requirements and recommendation, and employs learning analytics to guide continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Strategic Alignment & Stakeholder Partnership

• In collaboration with Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) leadership, defines and maintains GDMS onboarding material and associated processes; ensures alignment with broader organizational onboarding activities
• In partnership with GDMS leadership and subject matter experts, defines skill and knowledge requirements that align with business needs and organizational priorities
• Working with representatives from the GDMS global data management centers, defines and implements a skill and knowledge development strategy inclusive of role-based competency frameworks, role-based curricula, and delivery mechanisms
• Engages with Human Resources, enterprise learning and development, Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO), and external partnerships to source curated training and learning material that aligns with organizational priorities
• Own and drive the GDMS Academy learning and development strategy, proactively identifying capability gaps and building the business case for learning priorities

Learning Operations, Curriculum Development, & Delivery Enablement

• Leads delivery and coordination of the GDMS learning portfolio, ensuring quality, consistency, and on-time execution
• Establishes standards for content design, facilitation, and evaluation; coach subject matter experts and facilitators to those standards
• Defines annual skill and knowledge development plan, success criteria, and measurement model; publishes dashboards and drives follow-through on actions to continuously improve
• Coordinates with Human Resources, enterprise learning and development and Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO) on tools, LMS (Learning Management System) integrations, and enterprise talent initiatives that relate to GDMS learning
• Lead continuous improvement of the GDMS Academy curriculum using learning analytics, stakeholder feedback, and benchmarking insights to regularly assess and evolve design, delivery mechanisms, and measurement frameworks

Engagement, Knowledge Sharing, & Talent Development

• Manages onboarding, rotation, shadow, and intern programs end-to-end, including selection, matching, objectives, and outcomes tracking
• Builds external engagement plan (industry forums, benchmarking, associations) and evaluates insights for internal learning opportunities and curriculum refinement
• Develops and coordinates recognition and learning campaigns that motivate skill and knowledge uptake

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• In depth knowledge of clinical trial operations and clinical data management
• Proficiency in designing curriculum architecture and learning pathways aligned to role-based competency and skills frameworks
• Experience developing assessment strategy and evaluation methods including competency-based validation
• Experience building and sustaining communities of practice and peer-learning mechanisms (facilitation, mentoring, knowledge sharing)
• Working knowledge of learning analytics and dashboarding (coverage, completion, proficiency, impact/behavior change, ROI/benefits).
• Experience integrating curricula and reporting with enterprise learning technologies (e.g., LMS/LXP) while applying data privacy and access controls.
• Ability to translate internal/external insights and lessons learned into learning assets

Non-technical Skills

• Demonstrated strategic leadership and ability to influence senior-level leaders and stakeholders across functions, geographies, and levels
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills across global and matrixed environments
• Strong conceptual and analytical thinking; able to translate strategy into actionable execution
• Demonstrated success in mentoring, coaching, and developing talent in a global organization
• Demonstrated success driving change and alignment across complex, cross-functional structures
• High resilience, adaptability, and professional maturity in evolving business environment

Enterprise Leadership Skills

• Business Savviness | Uses organizational and industry insights to identify trends, assesses Data Management operating practices and performance, evaluates process or operating model changes, and anticipates impacts on delivery, resourcing, and stakeholders
• Strategic Planning | Triages activities and assignments by business criticality, and reprioritizes work as timelines, risks, and stakeholder needs shift
• Execution Excellence | Proactively takes initiative beyond assigned responsibilities to unblock delivery, close gaps, and achieve program and operational results

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, data management, or clinical trial operations and a minimum of 3 years in learning and development.

OR

• Advanced Degree (Masters or Doctorate) with a minimum of 4 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, data management, or clinical trial operations and a minimum of 3 years in learning and development.

Required Skills

Biopharmaceutical Industry, Business Acumen, Competency Framework Design, Curriculum Development, Detail-Oriented, Good Clinical Data Management Practice (GCDMP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Interpersonal Relationships, Learning Analytics, Learning and Development (L&D), Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking