Executive Director, Resiliency Operations Center

Merck & Co.; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 331,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Merck & Co. seeks an Executive Director to lead the Resiliency Operations Center, directing 24/7 global security and incident triage. You will oversee technology integration to ensure safe, continuous operations and rapid crisis response across the globe.

The role requires a track record of enterprise leadership, crisis management expertise, and experience in GSOC-style environments, with a focus on resilience, risk reduction, and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of global security operations or senior leadership experience.
• Experience leading 24/7 GSOC or equivalent.
• Proven enterprise leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Direct the 24/7 operations of the Resiliency Center and act as the global information hub.
• Identify, evaluate, and integrate key technology platforms to scale operations and ensure business continuity.
• Oversee global travel risk management programs for employees worldwide.
• Lead initial crisis management escalation and response efforts.
• Develop and optimize operational procedures for continuous coverage and rapid incident resolution.
• Collaborate with global security leadership to enhance resilience and readiness.

Skills

Global security leadership

Crisis management

Incident escalation

Information management

Travel risk management

Emergency response

Cross-functional leadership

Threat assessment

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Mass notification platforms

Threat intelligence platforms

Situational awareness systems

Job description

Job Description

The Executive Director of the Resiliency Operations Center will lead our Company's 24/7 global security and resilience operations. Serving as the central command hub for information management and threat triage, this role is critical to safeguarding our Company's people, assets, and operations worldwide.

The successful candidate will drive the modernization of our security operations, fostering a dynamic and proactive team environment by identifying and integrating cutting-edge technology platforms that enable the business to operate safely and seamlessly. By overseeing continuous global coverage, travel risk management, and initial crisis response, this leader ensures our Company remains prepared, responsive, and resilient in the face of emerging global challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Direct the 24/7 operations of the Resiliency Center, serving as the primary hub for global information management, threat monitoring, and incident triage.
• Lead the strategic identification, evaluation, and integration of key technology platforms (such as mass notification, threat intelligence, and situational awareness systems) to scale operations and enable business continuity.
• Oversee global travel risk management programs to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of our Company's employees worldwide.
• Lead initial crisis management escalation and response efforts, ensuring rapid, effective, and coordinated action during emerging incidents.
• Administer comprehensive employee assistance and emergency support initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and optimize strategic operational procedures to ensure seamless continuous coverage and swift incident resolution.
• Collaborate closely with global security leadership and cross-functional business partners to enhance our Company's overall resilience posture and operational readiness.
• Perform other duties as assigned or as required based on the evolving needs of our Company.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., International Relations, Security Studies, Business Administration) preferred

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in global security operations, crisis management, or a related senior leadership role.
• Experience leading operations within a 24/7 Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) or equivalent command center environment.
• Outstanding enterprise leadership capabilities, focused on building proactive, high-performing, and cross-functional teams.
• Deep expertise in crisis management, incident escalation workflows, and rapid decision-making under high-pressure conditions.
• Exceptional information management skills, with the ability to synthesize complex threat data and intelligence into actionable operational insights.
• Demonstrated ability to design and manage comprehensive travel risk and employee assistance programs on a global scale.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience managing large-scale, enterprise technology implementation projects (e.g., mass notification, situational awareness platforms).
• Experience working within a global enterprise environment, preferably in the pharmaceutical or life sciences sector.

Operational Requirements:

• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays to manage a 24/7 operation.
• Able to travel globally as required.

Required Skills:

Business Continuity Management (BCM), Business Continuity Management (BCM), Business Continuity Planning (BCP), Business Resilience, Clinical Judgment, Competency Management, Contingency Planning, Contract Management, Crisis Management, Detail-Oriented, Disaster Recovery (DR), Emotional Resilience, Empathy, Enterprise Leadership, Enterprise Resilience, Escalation Management, Financial Acumen, Incident Analysis, Incident Management, Innovation, Interpersonal Relationships, Investigation Techniques, Operational Resilience, Organizational Leadership, Project Risk Assessments {+ 9 more}

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.

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.

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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

The salary range for this role is $210,400.00 - $331,100.00

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 .

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

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid