Senior Project Management Specialist

MSD; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Pension contributions

Health insurance

Job summary

MSD is seeking an experienced Learning & Development Project Manager to oversee end-to-end learning design, development, localization, and delivery within a Global Learning & Development center. You will coordinate Designers, Developers, and Localization Leads across multiple projects to ensure timely, on-scope delivery that meets GLD quality standards.

The role requires leading cross-functional teams in a hybrid, globally distributed environment, with focus on planning, risk management, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience.
• 6+ years of project management experience in L&D or content production environments.
• End-to-end learning project experience including design, development, localization, and delivery.
• Experience using waterfall, agile, and hybrid PM approaches.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organizational skills and comfort with standardized processes and tools.
• Proficiency with PM tools (e.g., Jira, MS Project).

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end L&D projects from initiation through delivery.
• Develop and maintain detailed end-to-end project plans, schedules, and milestones.
• Coordinate resources across Designers/Developers and Localization Leads.
• Monitor progress, identify risks, and escalate issues as needed.
• Lead stakeholder communications, governance, and status updates.
• Ensure adherence to GLD standards and delivery quality.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and reduce cycle time.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Organizational skills

Risk management

Global/matrix collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

PMP certification (preferred)

Tools

Jira

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Description

Position Overview

The Learning & Development Project Manager is responsible for the end-to-end project management of learning design, development, localization, and delivery initiatives within Global Learning & Development’s (GLD) Regional Capability Center. Reporting to the Production Team Leader, this role ensures learning projects are planned, resourced, executed, and delivered on time, within scope, and to GLD quality standards. The Project Manager serves as the central point of coordination across designers/developers, localization leads, stakeholders, and partners, enabling efficient, predictable delivery at scale.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The Learning & Development Project Manager is responsible for:

• Project Planning & Execution
• Manage multiple learning and development projects simultaneously across various stages of the lifecycle, from initiation through delivery.
• Develop and maintain detailed end-to-end project plans, schedules, and milestones aligned to GLD processes and production standards.
• Ensure project scope, timelines, dependencies, and deliverables are clearly defined and managed throughout execution.
• Resource & Workflow Coordination
• Partner with the Production Team Leader to assign work to Designer/Developers and Localization Leads based on capacity, skills, and priorities.
• Coordinate handoffs between design, development, review, localization, and deployment activities.
• Monitor project progress and proactively address risks, constraints, and dependencies.
• Stakeholder Communication & Governance
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects, facilitating clear, timely communication with stakeholders and contributors.
• Lead project meetings, status updates, and review cycles.
• Escalate risks, issues, and decisions as appropriate to ensure timely resolution.
• Quality, Risk & Delivery Management
• Track project status, milestones, and performance metrics, ensuring transparency and delivery predictability.
• Ensure adherence to GLD standards, processes, and governance requirements.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce cycle time, and improve delivery outcomes.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree, or currently in pursuit of degree completion, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• 6+ years of experience in project management, preferably within Learning & Development, training, or content production environments, including planning, scheduling, risk management, and issue resolution.
• Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end learning projects, including coordination of design, development, and localization activities, applying waterfall, agile, and hybrid project management approaches.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in high volume, fast-paced production environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and comfort working with standardized processes and tools.
• Command of project management tools and processes (e.g., Jira, Microsoft Project; agile, waterfall, etc.).
• Experience working in global or matrixed teams preferred.

Preferred Experience:

• Pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Learning and Development experience.
• International experience.
• PMP or other industry project management certification.
• Budget management experience.

What we offer:

• Exciting work in a great team, global projects, international environment
• Opportunity to learn and grow professionally within the company globally
• Hybrid working model, flexible role pattern
• Pension and health insurance contributions
• Internal reward system plus referral program
• 5 weeks annual leave, 5 sick days, 15 days of certified sick leave paid above statutory requirements annually, 40 paid hours annually for volunteering activities, 12 weeks of parental contribution
• Cafeteria for tax free benefits according to your choice (meal vouchers, sport, culture, health, travel, etc.), Multisport Card
• Vodafone, Raiffeisen Bank, Foodora, and other discount programs
• Up-to-date laptop and iPhone
• Parking in the garage for drivers or showers for bikers
• Competitive salary, incentive pay, and many more

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Required Skills:

• Adaptability
• Clinical Supply Chain Management
• Clinical Trial Management
• Feasibility Studies
• Performance Monitoring
• Process Improvements
• Project Planning
• Real World Evidence (RWE)
• Regulatory Compliance
• Risk Management
• Self Motivation
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Planning
• Technical Quality Assurance

Preferred Skills:

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Shift:

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Job Posting End Date:

11/25/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.