Executive Director, Program and Study Management, Oncology

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ seeks a Global Clinical Trial Operations leader to drive strategic planning, oversight, and execution of HQ-sponsored and outsourced clinical trials across therapeutic areas. This senior role partners with Global Clinical Development, Clinical Sub Teams, and other functions to align staffing, priorities, and compliance with development goals.

The position emphasizes cross-functional influence, performance management, and sponsorship of key initiatives to ensure timely,

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Alignment – Translate TA objectives into operational strategies for the clinical programs and studies.
• End-to-End Program and Study Delivery – Full accountability for planning, execution and delivery of the clinical program portfolio on time and within budget, with high quality.

Job description

Job Description

Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO) is a global organization with over 10,000 people operating in 50 countries. The Program and Study Management organization is a sub-functional unit within GCTO, divided into therapeutic clusters, with approximately 500 people, and is accountable for all operational, technical, and scientific aspects of HQ-sponsored clinical trials, including a grant budget of more than $1B.

Key activities for this role include the strategic planning, oversight, management and execution of HQ-sponsored and acquired‑outsourced trials for the assigned Therapeutic Area Section, including local registration trials and regulatory commitments.

Applies an in‑depth understanding of our research division’s clinical development strategy in the implementation of short and long‑term research objectives. Liaises with functional areas supporting clinical development across GCTO, including Global Clinical Development Therapeutic Area/ Section Heads, Global Clinical Supplies and other key functions to ensure staffing and support is consistent with development priorities.

Responsible for ensuring that members of the staff are provided with appropriate vision, direction, training, and sponsorship of projects and initiatives. Ensures performance management and career development plans are implemented by direct supervisors and that the entire organization is compliant with all policies and procedures.

This role is a highly cross‑functional and influential role within GCD.

Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities:

Strategic Leadership and Alignment

• Translate scientific and TA objectives into robust, executable operational strategies for all clinical programs and studies. Guide GCTO teams to understand the competitive landscape, the scientific rationale for development programs, and the long‑term vision for assets.

End-to‑End Program and Study Delivery [Execution Excellence]

• Full accountability for the operational planning, execution, and delivery of the clinical program portfolio on time, within budget, and with the highest standards of quality.
• Ensure proactive cross‑functional collaborations to develop robust trial delivery strategies (e.g., via Product Development Teams, Clinical Sub Teams, deep dives, immersion meetings,…); assess trial delivery risk each month to bring to GCTO Operational Reviewer initiate other cross‑functional forum to address.
• Execution Excellence – Inspires excellence and drives reliable, high‑quality end to end trial delivery through continuous improvement of processes and KPI driven measurement approaches to track progress, identify early risks, and execute mitigations Provides oversight for all phases of clinical trial management, ensuring performance against key indicators (KPIs) and key quality indicators (KQIs) across domains such as: