Associate Director, Clinical Data Management

MSD • Rahway, PA

2d

About The Position

Under the direction of leadership, the Associate Director, Portfolio & Resource Operations supports operational excellence through data-driven portfolio and resource analytics. The role maintains accurate capacity, workload, and utilization data across functions so decisions are informed by robust metrics and transparent reporting. It works with functional partners to standardize practices and improve visibility into operational performance.

The position supports forecasting, capacity and portfolio management; operational governance, execution and metrics; and training, communication and change management. It maintains headcount, workload and demand models; supports resource allocation and operating-model improvements; produces dashboards and standardized reporting; coordinates forecasting and financial processes; and contributes to training, communications, and process adoption. It also applies operational and financial analysis to support resource planning, efficiency decisions, and leadership recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 8 years of experience working in a relevant field, or an advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) and a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience.
• Fluent in English.
• Ability to interpret operational, capacity, and financial data, including variance analysis and trends.
• Proficiency with Power BI or Tableau and Excel, including advanced modeling, for dashboards and what-if views.
• Working knowledge of capacity planning, resourcing, and portfolio management concepts.
• Familiarity with functional operational systems, performance dashboards, and workforce analytics data.
• Understanding of data integrity, metric standardization, and basic quality control and reconciliation practices.
• Basic understanding of forecasting, budgeting, and accruals, and ability to read plan, forecast, and actuals and connect them to operational drivers.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with ability to engage and align stakeholders across functions, geographies, and levels.
• Strong stakeholder management, collaboration, organization, and prioritization capabilities.
• Ability to organize cross-team work, coordinate milestones and deliverables, and escalate risks early.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and guide cross-functional and virtual teams without direct authority.
• Adaptability and resilience, including ability to prioritize and perform effectively under pressure in changing environments.
• Ability to work independently with accountability, sound judgment, and initiative while staying aligned with organizational priorities.
• Ability to facilitate decision-making, coordinate others’ work, and drive timely resolution of complex issues.
• Ability to manage multiple deliverables, risk and change control, stakeholder alignment (including service providers), and governance updates.
• Sound judgment and accountability in ambiguity, escalation management, and consensus-building on process or technology improvements.
• Required skills listed: Adaptability, Business Acumen, Clinical Data Management, Communication, Data Analysis, Data Integrity, Data Quality Assurance, Good Clinical Data Management Practice (GCDMP), Influencing Change, Negotiation, and Proactive Leadership.

Responsibilities

• Maintain headcount, workload, and demand models for the functional area and run allocation algorithms to support quality and timely delivery of the Book of Business.
• Support operating-model optimization, translate outcomes into action plans, and track implementation.
• Manage real-time workload balancing, capacity, and compliance-driven case allocation across geographies, supporting balanced operations, on-time delivery, and business continuity through holidays, resource availability, and demand peaks.
• Build and maintain operational dashboards; collect, analyze, and validate portfolio data on efficiency, utilization, and quality; and ensure standardized reporting with cross-functional GDMS peers and enterprise standards.
• Assist in developing forecasting tools, dashboards, and visualizations, and contribute to improvements in capacity modeling and workforce analytics.
• Support long-term quality management plans and participate in strategic and tactical special projects as needed.
• Prepare inputs for Operational Reviews and ensure metric definitions, sources, and timeframes align with enterprise cadence and templates.
• Coordinate resource and financial forecasting, contracting, and invoicing; track variances and data integrity; and publish reconciled views as required.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to maintain unified metrics, training, and SOP/BP frameworks based on functional-area needs.
• Monitor operational metrics after system releases to ensure realized efficiencies are reflected in forecasting models and resource-planning assumptions.
• Support the creation, maintenance, and delivery of role-specific curriculum; co-develop GDMS-wide training for the functional area; and measure uptake.
• Coordinate function-specific communications and change management in alignment with GDMS/GCTO frameworks.
• Design adoption aids such as FAQs and quick guides, and incorporate user feedback into process improvements.
• Build partnerships across GDMS, Finance, IT, and functional leaders to align forecasting assumptions, standardize metrics, and coordinate portfolio and resource priorities.
• Translate capacity, financial, and performance data into trade-offs, recommendations, and aligned action plans for cross-functional stakeholders and governance forums.
• Prepare concise, decision-ready leadership summaries that frame risks, options, and recommendations; coordinate milestones and deliverables, escalate risks, and provide status and governance updates.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision healthcare, and other insurance benefits for employees and family.
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.
• Eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director