Associate Director, Project Management, Digital Process & Data Analysis

Merck & Co.; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in Rahway, NJ seeks an Associate Director of Project Management within MAP to lead a portfolio of metrics/analytics projects supporting strategic decisions in GCTO.

You will oversee system changes, SIT/UAT, and release planning with IT and R&D, while ensuring SDLC documentation and stakeholder alignment. The role emphasizes collaboration across MAP and R&D IT, adherence to SLAs, and driving continuous improvements in processes and data governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree required.
• 8+ years IT Project Management experience.
• Experience in clinical research/clinical development preferred.
• Knowledge of SDLC documentation and governance.

Responsibilities

• Collect, prioritize requests for modifications to systems and upgrades.
• Manage timelines and resources using Agile or Waterfall methodologies.
• Approve change requests and coordinate release planning with IT and R&D.
• Coordinate SIT & UAT activities, create test cases and document outcomes.
• Collaborate with process owners to build business cases for new tools/solutions.
• Document business needs in SDLC artefacts and communicate changes to stakeholders.
• Support access management and ensure SLA adherence with MAP and IT teams.
• Contribute to data exchange policies and data retention where applicable.

Skills

Adaptability

Clinical Data Management

Collaborative Leadership

Communication Management

Cross-Functional Work

Detail-Oriented

GCDMP

GCP

Influencing Skills

Interpersonal Relationships

Mentoring Staff

Prioritization

Project Management

Results-Oriented

Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree

Tools

Qlik Sense

Power BI

Modelling Tools

Planning Tools

SQL

Job description

Job Description

The Associate Director, Project Management, within Metrics, Analytics & Performance (MAP) will lead project management related to the development, delivery, & maintenance of a portfolio of metrics/analytics projects to support strategic decisions, improve planning/execution, and monitor performance across our portfolio, studies & processes within Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO).

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Collecting, assigning, tracking, and prioritizing requests from users requiring modifications (upgrades or bug fixes) to new and/or existing systems


• Manage timelines and resource management through development (i.e. Agile, Waterfall) and release (inc. communication & training)


• Approve change requests for upgrades/bug fixes/data changes and coordinate release planning and assessment for the business in collaboration with Research & Development IT Division IT


• Coordinate all aspects of System Integration Test (SIT) & User Acceptance Testing (UAT), included, but not limited to ensuring the development of test cases, issues tracking, and completion of the proper documentation prior to deployment.


• Collaborate with team members to develop business cases in collaboration with process owners/stakeholders and our Research & Development Division IT for new tools/solutions.


• Ensure business needs and criticality of functionality are correctly documented in System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) documentation.


• Coordinate the communication of system changes to Business Process/Sub-process Owners, requestors, and stakeholders


• Contribute to the ongoing development of processes related to access and support of all released tools


• Collaborate with MAP Team members and our Research & Development Division IT to ensure internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) are followed and reviewed/updated once a year.


• Work with IT and support team to create user provisioning and deprovisioning process


• Ensure proper process and guidelines are in place to share and exchange data between applications & apply record retention policy when applicable The role must demonstrate appropriate company Leadership Standards. Experienced with \"getting things done\" in a complex work environment is required.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• Bachelor of Science Degree


• 8+ years of experience in IT Project Management

Experience and Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in clinical research/clinical development preferred


• Basic understanding of System testing & providing training to user communities


• Knowledge quality management and control tools is required.


• Critically evaluate process implications of system changes and deal with conflict and bring to resolution.


• Able to identify critical input and outputs that drive business processes and dependencies on process (workflow) vs. technology (dataflow).


• Strong understanding of how to use reporting tools, such as Qlik Sense, Power BI as well as modelling and planning tools


• Knowledge of SQL or other database/query tools a plus.


• Excellent teamwork and leadership skills, including conflict resolution expertise and discretion.


• Customer service orientation and the ability to work effectively with clients, third party vendors, quality and IT management/staffs


• Proficient in MS Office,


• Recognized as a \"team player\"


• Committed to continuous improvement


• Analytical ability, good judgment, ability to multi-task & prioritize


• Strong verbal & written communication skills


• Ability to proficiently interact with all levels of management and exert influence to achieve results.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Clinical Data Management, Collaborative Leadership, Communication Management, Cross-Functional Work, Detail-Oriented, Good Clinical Data Management Practice (GCDMP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Influencing Skills, Interpersonal Relationships, Mentoring Staff, Prioritization, Project Management, Results-Oriented, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

Conflict Management, Customer-Focused, Knowledge Management, New Technology Integration, Policy Compliance

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 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:

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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

Salary range for this role is

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.- Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

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

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

08/29/2026

*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.