Senior Director, Clinical Science — Atherosclerosis Strategy

MSD; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 331,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. is seeking a Senior Director, Clinical Science in the Atherosclerosis area to provide strategic leadership across multiple studies and programs.

You will guide development planning, standardize scientific practices, and influence portfolio decisions in a matrix environment. The role requires deep knowledge of atherosclerotic biology, clinical endpoints, and the evolving treatment landscape to shape study design and execution.

Qualifications

• Advanced scientific or healthcare degree required (e.g., PhD, PharmD), or equivalent, and 8+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, and/or medical field experience preferred.
• Master’s degree with 12+ years in pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, and/or medical field experience preferred OR Bachelor’s with 15+ years in the field.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership across the disease area, including multiple studies, programs, and assets.
• Contribute to disease area strategy with input on opportunities, risks, and data implications.
• Partner with leaders to align Clinical Science activities with program and disease area objectives.
• Apply expert knowledge of therapeutic focus, disease biology, and endpoints to inform study planning and data interpretation.
• Support cross-study and cross-asset integration of insights for development decisions.

Skills

Atherosclerosis

Clinical Development

Clinical Research Management

Clinical Sciences

Data Quality

Ethical Standards

High Performance Team Building

Matrix Leadership

Matrix Management

Medical Monitoring

New Technology Integration

People Leadership

Pharmaceutical Industry

Regulatory Compliance

Therapeutic Knowledge

Trial Design

Education

Advanced scientific or healthcare degree (PhD, PharmD)

Master’s degree in life sciences

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences

Job description

Merck & Co., Inc. is seeking a Senior Director, Clinical Science in the Atherosclerosis area to provide strategic leadership across multiple studies and programs.

You will guide development planning, standardize scientific practices, and influence portfolio decisions in a matrix environment. The role requires deep knowledge of atherosclerotic biology, clinical endpoints, and the evolving treatment landscape to shape study design and execution.