The posting
Job Description
The focus of this role is to enable information management in all its paradigms: Flow of data, data products, governance in our company Information Governance (MIG), provide technical strategy and program management oversight for information needs for DI&A services / micro-services like AI and Automation, Book of business, Business Systems Validation Service, Analytics and Advanced Analytics and remove barriers for frictionless flow of data.
Responsibilities
The Senior Director, Program Manager shapes multi-year strategy, organization design, and governance models for complex, enterprise-scale programs and portfolios. Acting as an executive sponsor and strategic integrator, this leader aligns investments, roadmaps, and operating models to organizational objectives, ensuring compliant, automation-ready standards, outcome-based KPIs, and measurable quality and value realization.
PM Operating Model & Capability Build:
- Design and lead the team for PM (Program Management) (operating model, role architecture, communication pathways) to deliver at scale.
- Lead resource strategy with TA (Therapeutic Area)/capacity leaders: capability mix, location strategy, and supplier strategy.
- Establish the vendor strategy & governance (frameworks, performance dashboards, commercial guardrails, executive business reviews); intervene on systemic issues.
- Set the learning & development agenda (onboarding, mentoring, upskilling) and champion change management for standards/process/tooling transformations.
Strategy, Investment & Performance Management:
- Work with leadership to set the multi-year strategy and goals; translating GDMS (Global Data Management and Standards and GCTO) objectives into sequenced programs, funding asks, and measurable targets.
- Define the KPI/KQI (Key Performance Indicator/Key Quality Indicator) strategy and analytics needed for decision-making; publish executive dashboards and drive benefit realization (quality, time, cost).
- Oversee budget and investment for the PM organization (business cases, prioritization, ROI [Return on Investment] tracking).
- Champions organizational change; drives adoption of new operating models and digital capabilities across global functions.
Governance, Risk & Executive/External Engagement:
- Own the governance model for assigned remit: define forum purposes, decision rights, and escalation ladders; chair executive reviews.
- Represent assigned teams / scope in enterprise risk management and compliance reviews; ensure sustainable inspection readiness by design.
- Proactively anticipate and assess emerging risks, leveraging scenario planning and mitigation strategies to safeguard program and organizational success.
- Build and sustain senior stakeholder networks across GDMS/ GCTO (Global Clinical Trial Operations) and strategic partners; broker decisions and remove systemic blockers.
- Build and manage strategic partnerships with external organizations, industry consortia, and regulatory bodies to advance program objectives and enhance organizational reputation. Represent the organization as a thought leader at these industry forums, conferences, and in external publications, shaping best practices and influencing the broader ecosystem.
Technical skills:
- Demonstrated expertise in information management and systems, organization design including role architecture, spans and layers, operating model, and scaling patterns.
- Track record in defining multi-year strategy and portfolio and in governing investments with measurable ROI (Return on Investment).
- Proven ownership of standards and process governance models with effective executive reviews and escalation ladders.
- Resource-strategy leadership with TA and capacity partners including algorithmic approaches with PSRM (Portfolio & Strategic Resource Management) and location, capability, and supplier strategy.
- Vendor-strategy and governance expertise at enterprise level with performance dashboards, commercial guardrails, and systemic interventions.
- KPI and KQI strategy design and analytics capability build with enterprise dashboards and benefits cadence.
DI&A-specific technical skills:
- Demonstrated expertise in advanced analytics, predictive modeling, data-driven decision-making to inform strategic program direction and optimize outcomes at scale.
- Comprehensive knowledge of global regulatory frameworks and compliance, ensuring programs meet international standards and requirements for technology deployment.
Non-technical skills:
- Exceptional communication and collaboration across cross-functional and global teams; tailors messaging up, across, and down; crafts decision-ready narratives and frames options, risks, and recommendations for senior leaders and direct reports.
- Cross-functional leadership through influence, motivating geographically diverse teams, guiding work across teams/geographies, and fostering an inclusive, high-trust culture.
- Strong judgment and accountability, operating effectively in ambiguity, managing escalations, and driving consensus on process and technology improvements (including RCA [Root Cause Analysis]/CAPA [Corrective and Preventive Action] where applicable).
- Inclusive team leadership, fostering psychological safety, enabling knowledge sharing, and supporting the development of communities of practice.
- Ability to recruit and retain talent and plan resourcing across regions and sourcing models (FTE [Full Time Equivalent]/contingent/on- and off-shore).
- Continuous improvement and operational excellence mindset, proactively identifying and advancing enhancements to ways of working, tools, and governance.
- Ability to drive adoption of standardized methods, mobilizing cross-functional adoption and support.
Enterprise Leadership Skills:
- Emotional Intelligence | Demonstrates executive presence and high emotional intelligence in navigating complex stakeholder environments, building trust across global teams, managing escalations constructively, and fostering psychological safety and resilience.
- Coaching and Development | Develops senior program leaders and cross-functional teams by setting high-performance expectations, providing candid feedback, mentoring future leaders, and embedding continuous learning within the PM organization.
- Change Catalyst | Leads enterprise program transformation by championing new operating models, digital capabilities, governance frameworks, and standards adoption, mobilizing cross-functional commitment to sustained organizational change.
Qualifications & experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree and minimum of 12 years’ experience in Program Management, preferring:
- 3 years needs to be in clinical research, data management, or Information management (or related discipline).
- Demonstrated deep subject matter expertise in relevant discipline
OR
- Advanced Degree (Masters or Doctorate) and minimum of 10 years’ experience in Program Management, preferring:
- 3 years needs to be in clinical research, data management, or Information management (or related discipline).
- Demonstrated deep subject matter expertise in relevant discipline
clinicaltrialjobs
EligibleforERP
#GDMS
Required Skills:
Change Management, Clinical Data Management, Clinical Information Systems, Clinical Operations, Clinical Research, Data Governance, Data Management, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Governance Framework, Strategic Thinking
Preferred Skills:
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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
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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. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
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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.
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The salary range for this role is
$173,200.00 - $272,600.00
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.
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
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
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:
Regular
Relocation:
Domestic
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
25%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
1st - Day
Valid Driving License:
Yes
Hazardous Material(s):
No
Job Posting End Date:
10/20/2026
*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.
