Executive Director, Product Development Team Leader, Clinical Research, Hematology - Lymphoma

1000 Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 311,000 - 489,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental

Vision & other insurance

Retirement benefits

401(k)

Job summary

MSD is seeking an Executive Director (Distinguished Scientist) to lead clinical development in Oncology/Hematology, overseeing late-stage programs from Phase 2 to Phase 5. You will guide strategy, protocol authoring, study execution, and external scientific engagement while leading cross-functional teams and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The role requires MD or MD/PhD with 5+ years industry drug development experience, strong scientific leadership, and a track record in oncology or hematology

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of clinical medicine experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in drug development with multiple studies overseen.
• Experience in authoring regulatory documents and engaging with regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrated scientific scholarship and achievement.
• Proven clinical medicine background and biomedical research.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaborative, and matrix environment skills.
• Strong communication skills in writing and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and direction of late-stage clinical development (Phases 2–5).
• Develop program strategies, protocols, and regulatory documentation.
• Oversee cross-functional PDTs and external scientific interactions.
• Drive safety, efficacy analyses, and regulatory submissions.
• Present governance updates to senior management and committees.
• Travel ~20% for ongoing or planned projects.

Skills

Clinical Development

Clinical Judgment

Clinical Medicine

Clinical Trial Development

Ethical Standards

Hematology

Lymphoma

Mentorship

Program Strategy

Regulatory Compliance

Scientific Leadership

Senior Program Management

Strategic Planning

Education

MD or MD/PhD

Job description

Job Description

The Executive Director (Distinguished Scientist) and Product Development Team (PDT) lead has primary responsibility for the planning and directing of clinical research activities involving new or marketed medicines in the Oncology therapeutic area, Hematology section. The Executive Director will manage and oversee the entire cycle of late-stage clinical development from Phase 2 to Phase 5, including development of program strategy and design, protocol authoring, initiation, execution, monitoring, analysis, regulatory reporting, publication, and presentation at national and international meetings. They will lead cross-functional product development teams that oversee program strategy and execution, will provide internal scientific leadership for cross-functional areas supporting clinical trials, and will interact externally with key scientific leaders. The Executive Director may be responsible for: Evaluating pre-clinical and translational work for the purpose of generating early clinical development plans and Investigational New Drug (IND) applications Developing clinical development strategies for investigational or marketed medicines that incorporate the latest scientific developments, regulatory requirements, the competitive landscape, and commercial considerations Executing the clinical strategy, planning clinical trials (design, operational plans, settings), and leading the clinical subteam Monitoring and managing the conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational or marketed medicines Leading cross-functional product development teams that oversee overall strategy and execution for investigational or marketed medicines Acting as an integration of cross-functional input and expertise, ensuring all perspectives are incorporated into the strategy/plan and serve as the product development team spokesperson Analyzing and summarizing the clinical findings from studies to support decisions regarding safety and efficacy as well as new drug applications, clinical study reports, or publications Participating in internal and joint internal/external research project teams relevant to the development of new compounds, and the further study of marketed compounds Supporting business development assessments of external opportunities. Managing Clinical Directors and/or Senior Clinical Directors responsible for [insert therapeutic area] clinical development work, demonstrating effective leadership and fostering a high-performance culture Working closely with a cross-functional group of experts in commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects, and assist the Associate Vice President and/or Vice President in ensuring that appropriate Corporate personnel are informed of the progress of studies of our company and competitors' drugs, and of internal and external expert opinion on scientific questions relevant to their areas of responsibility Leading internal governance presentations to senior management and committees, communicating progress and key changes in product development strategy between stage gates, ensuring early alignment with line management, and facilitating issue escalation and cross-functional collaboration as needed for governance approval The Executive Director is responsible for maintaining a strong scientific fund of knowledge by: Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within their area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings, research methodologies Identifying scientifically and operationally strong investigators who can assist in the development of our company's investigational and marketed drugs Establishing communications with prominent clinical investigators in their particular field of interest, particularly those who will be willing and able to assist in the evaluation of our company's drugs Attending appropriate scientific meetings to maintain their competency and to maintain awareness of research activities in their area of responsibility. To accomplish these goals, the Executive Director may: Author and/or oversee detailed development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers for internal and external audiences Facilitate collaborations with external researchers around the world Travel on company business about twenty (20) percent of the time to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects.

Education

M.D or M.D./Ph.D.

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of clinical medicine experience
• Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in drug development with demonstrated success in overseeing multiple studies and protocols through completion
• Experience in authoring regulatory documents and leading discussions with regulatory agencies
• Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement
• Proven track record in clinical medicine and background in biomedical research
• Outstanding interpersonal and collaborative skills, as well as the ability to function in a matrix environment
• Excellence in delivering clear, impactful communication verbally, in writing, and during presentations

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Board Certified or Eligible in Oncology, Hematology, or related discipline
• Lymphoma experience
• Prior specific experience in clinical research and prior publication record
• Product registration experience desirable
• Required Skills: Clinical Development, Clinical Judgment, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Trial Development, Ethical Standards, Hematology, Intellectual Curiosity, Interdisciplinary Problem Solving, Lymphoma, Mentorship, Program Strategy, Regulatory Compliance, Scientific Leadership, Senior Program Management, Strategic Planning
• Preferred Skills: 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Company Values and Culture

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.

Location and Compensation

The primary location for this posting is: USA - New Jersey - Rahway Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below. The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $310,900.00 - $489,400.00 This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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

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

More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Additional Locations Compensation Information

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location. Additional location(s) Compensation Information: 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.

Relocation, Travel and Work Arrangements

Employee Status: Regular
Relocation: Domestic
VISA Sponsorship: Yes
Travel Requirements: 25%
Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid
Shift: 1st - Day
Valid Driving License: No
Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting Status

Job Posting End Date: 11/6/2026 *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.

About the Company

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.