Associate Director, Study Manager - Atherosclerosis and Metabolism

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Vacation

Sick days

Job summary

Merck is seeking an experienced Clinical Trial Leader to drive strategy, operational planning and execution of one or more clinical trials. You will lead a global, cross-functional team, coach junior members and ensure alignment with protocol and regulatory requirements.

The role requires strong leadership, program management, and communications skills, with a focus on delivering study milestones and stakeholder alignment across functions and vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 9+ years of pharma/clinical drug development/project management experience
• Or Master’s with 6+ years of pharma/clinical drug development experience
• Or PhD/PharmD with 2+ years of pharma/clinical drug development experience

Responsibilities

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

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences/Related Field + 9+ years experience

Master's Degree + 6+ years experience

PhD/PharmD + 2+ years experience

Strong knowledge of GCP/ICH

Microsoft Office (Excel/PowerPoint/Word)

Tools

Microsoft Office

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.

• 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

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

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

Salary Range

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

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

Note: 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.

Requisition ID

R415363

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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
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Location Restrictions

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

Accommodation Information

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please let us know if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.