Global Transformation Programs Director

MSD UK; Rahway (NJ); On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks an experienced Program Management Associate Director in the United Kingdom to lead complex, global initiatives across Global Business Services.

You will own end-to-end program delivery, establish governance, drive risk management, and realize value through strategic alignment with senior leaders. You will influence cross-functional teams, manage dependencies, monitor health and budgets, and deliver concise executive updates.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of project and program management experience, including leadership of large-scale, cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex portfolios and strategic transformation programs.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, drive decision-making, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced knowledge of project and program management methodologies, governance models, and delivery frameworks.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and facilitation skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Experience with portfolio management and project delivery tools such as Jira, Confluence, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee strategic programs and workstreams that support organizational priorities and transformation objectives.
• Provide end-to-end ownership of program delivery, including governance, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and value realization.
• Establish and maintain effective governance frameworks to support decision-making across senior stakeholder groups.
• Drive alignment between program objectives, business priorities, resource plans, and organizational goals.
• Influence and partner with cross-functional leaders to remove barriers, manage dependencies, and accelerate delivery.
• Contribute to the continuous development of project and program management capabilities across the organization.
• Act as the primary program lead for complex, global initiatives involving multiple functions, regions, and stakeholder groups.
• Develop and execute program strategies, roadmaps, and delivery plans aligned with business objectives.
• Provide leadership and direction to project managers, workstream leads, and supporting teams.
• Establish and facilitate governance forums, including Steering Committees, Executive Reviews, and Operational Working Sessions.
• Drive proactive risk, issue, dependency, and change management across programs and portfolios.
• Monitor program health, business outcomes, key milestones, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Deliver executive-level communications, reporting, and presentations to senior leadership.
• Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement throughout the program lifecycle.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, operational efficiency, and adoption of best practices in program management.
• Support strategic planning, prioritization, and portfolio management activities within GBS.

Skills

Business Alignment

Business Decisions

Collaborative Leadership

Goal Setting

Managing Ambiguity

Program Management

Project Leadership

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Microsoft Project

Job description

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks an experienced Program Management Associate Director in the United Kingdom to lead complex, global initiatives across Global Business Services.

You will own end-to-end program delivery, establish governance, drive risk management, and realize value through strategic alignment with senior leaders. You will influence cross-functional teams, manage dependencies, monitor health and budgets, and deliver concise executive updates.