Associate Director, Study Manager - Atherosclerosis and Metabolism

Job Description

This position participates in the strategy and leads the operational planning and execution of one or more clinical trials. In this position, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your advanced leadership and technical skills as part of a global, cross-functional team. You will build and coach your team in the development of project management, communication, and collaboration skills in support of our clinical trials.

Job Responsibilities

Responsible for the operational planning, feasibility, execution and conduct of clinical trial(s).

Serves as the Clinical Trial Team (CTT) lead

Leads and directs teams in key study planning, development, and execution elements (e.g. operational reviews, issue escalation/mitigations, presentations at Sr. Management meetings, program level cross functional meetings and governance).

Responsible for facilitating and collaborating with key internal/external stakeholders (study team, subsidiary country teams, vendors, committees, etc.) in support of clinical trial objectives.

Liaises with partners, vendors, and vendor management team.

Review and provide clinical operations input into relevant clinical documents such as the protocol and other documents as appropriate.

May serve as a subject matter expert and/or participate on process improvement teams.

Builds talent and capabilities of junior team members through proactive coaching, mentoring and development opportunities.

May include management of direct/indirect reports including assignment of resources, professional development, and performance management.

Core Skills

Strong knowledge of clinical research regulatory requirements e.g., Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH)

Proven ability to manage competing priorities and effectively delegate and assign activities to meet the business needs

Ability to develop short and mid-range project plans that are realistic and effective at meeting goals

Strong analytical skills to drive operational milestones

Influence opinions and decisions of internal and external customers/vendors, across functional areas, and within the division

Interact with key stakeholders across department, division, and company. Role requires a proactive approach, strategic thinking and leadership driving toward study goals.

Demonstrated leadership skills in programs & processes, leading meetings and influencing peers and direct/indirect reports in a matrix environment.

Problem solving, prioritization, conflict resolution, and critical thinking skills

Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills

Proficient knowledge in Microsoft office or similar (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, etc.)

Education/Experience

Bachelor's Degree and 9+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience

-OR- Master's Degree and 6+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience

-OR- PhD/PharmD Degree and 2+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, project management, and/or medical field experience

Degree in life sciences, preferred

Clinicaltrialjobs

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Problem Solving, Clinical Data Management, Clinical Study Management, Collaboration, Detail-Oriented, Ethical Standards, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Problem Solving, Stakeholder Alignment, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

Process Improvements, Program Management, Project Management

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The primary location for this posting is:

USA - New Jersey - Rahway

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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 .

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

10/24/2026 *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.

Requisition ID:R421910