Associate Director, Study Manager - Atherosclerosis and Metabolism

MSD Malaysia; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ is seeking a senior Clinical Trial Operations leader to drive strategy and execution of one or more clinical trials within a global, cross-functional team.

You will coach and develop teams, oversee study planning, execution, governance, and liaise with internal and external stakeholders to ensure trial milestones, regulatory compliance (GCP/ICH), and quality data. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 9+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience OR Master's Degree and 6+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience OR PhD/PharmD with 2+ years in the same areas.
• Degree in life sciences, preferred clinicaltrialjobs

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational planning, feasibility, execution and conduct of clinical trial(s).
• Serve as the Clinical Trial Team (CTT) lead; direct study planning, development, and execution elements.
• Collaborate with internal/external stakeholders (study team, vendors, committees) to support objectives.
• Liaise with partners, vendors, and vendor management team.
• Review and provide operations input into protocol and other documents.
• Mentor and develop junior team members; manage resources and performance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Project Management

Regulatory Knowledge

Stakeholder Management

Communication Skills

Analytical Thinking

Budget & Resource Management

Risk Management

Team Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences

Master's Degree in Life Sciences/PM/PharmD/PhD

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Job Description This position participates in the strategy and leads the operational planning and execution of one or more clinical trials. In this position, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your advanced leadership and technical skills as part of a global, cross-functional team. You will build and coach your team in the development of project management, communication, and collaboration skills in support of our clinical trials.

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for the operational planning, feasibility, execution and conduct of clinical trial(s).
• Serves as the Clinical Trial Team (CTT) lead; Leads and directs teams in key study planning, development, and execution elements (e.g. operational reviews, issue escalation/mitigations, presentations at Sr. Management meetings, program level cross functional meetings and governance).
• Responsible for facilitating and collaborating with key internal/external stakeholders (study team, subsidiary country teams, vendors, committees, etc.) in support of clinical trial objectives.
• Liaises with partners, vendors, and vendor management team.
• Review and provide clinical operations input into relevant clinical documents such as the protocol and other documents as appropriate.
• May serve as a subject matter expert and/or participate on process improvement teams.
• Builds talent and capabilities of junior team members through proactive coaching, mentoring and development opportunities.
• May include management of direct/indirect reports including assignment of resources, professional development, and performance management.

Core Skills

• Strong knowledge of clinical research regulatory requirements e.g., Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH)
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and effectively delegate and assign activities to meet the business needs
• Ability to develop short and mid-range project plans that are realistic and effective at meeting goals
• Strong analytical skills to drive operational milestones
• Influence opinions and decisions of internal and external customers/vendors, across functional areas, and within the division
• Interact with key stakeholders across department, division, and company.
• Role requires a proactive approach, strategic thinking and leadership driving toward study goals.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in programs & processes, leading meetings and influencing peers and direct/indirect reports in a matrix environment.
• Problem solving, prioritization, conflict resolution, and critical thinking skills
• Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills
• Proficient knowledge in Microsoft office or similar (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, etc.)

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree and 9+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience -OR- Master's Degree and 6+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience -OR- PhD/PharmD Degree and 2+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience.
• Degree in life sciences, preferred clinicaltrialjobs

Required Skills

• Adaptability
• Analytical Problem Solving
• Clinical Data Management
• Clinical Study Management
• Collaboration
• Detail-Oriented
• Ethical Standards
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Stakeholder Alignment
• Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills

• Process Improvements
• Program Management
• Project Management

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: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement 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.

The 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.

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.

The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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.

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: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: 1st - Day Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 10/17/2026 *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.