Global Quality Governance Director

Merck & Co.; Elkton (VA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Merck & Co. seeks a Global Quality Compliance Director to drive governance, strategy, and oversight of quality compliance across Operating Units and sites.

The role leads global quality councils, analyzes quality trends, and escalates risks to senior leadership for timely remediation and long-term improvements in QMS execution. The position operates with high autonomy, influencing senior leaders and shaping quality strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Engineering, Quality, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience (minimum 10 years) in quality, compliance, quality systems, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of QMS governance, risk management, escalation processes, and quality execution expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategy, analyze complex quality data, and translate insights into action.
• Proven track record of influencing and collaborating with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong executive communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.

Responsibilities

• Lead coordination, administration, and oversight of GPO, GVO, and GBO Quality Councils with a strategic focus on risk and performance.
• Prepare executive-level analyses, presentations, and summaries for senior leader review and action.
• Identify cross-functional themes and systemic issues from council discussions and elevate to leadership forums.
• Assess risk signals, escalation paths, and red metric trends to determine leadership intervention needs.
• Provide clear recommendations to leadership regarding risk containment and strategic quality decisions.
• Own tracking and oversight of progress against the annual Quality Plan for the Operating Units.
• Drive cross-functional execution of improvement actions and monitor effectiveness.

Skills

Action Item Management

Executive communication

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk assessment

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Engineering, Quality, or related discipline

Job description

Merck & Co. seeks a Global Quality Compliance Director to drive governance, strategy, and oversight of quality compliance across Operating Units and sites.

The role leads global quality councils, analyzes quality trends, and escalates risks to senior leadership for timely remediation and long-term improvements in QMS execution. The position operates with high autonomy, influencing senior leaders and shaping quality strategy.