Associate Director, Clinical Operations - Global Data Management & Standards Academy (Hybrid)

MSD•Rahway, NJ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) Academy reports to the Head of Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) Business Operations and leads the strategy and execution for GDMS onboarding and the global skill and knowledge development framework. In collaboration with GDMS functional area leaders, translates capability needs into learning pathways, appropriately leveled knowledge content, and role-based curricula. The role defines standards for curriculum design, evaluation, and learning operations, and builds scalable mechanisms for training delivery and consumption. Partnering with enterprise learning and development, leverages curated training and learning sources, ensures alignment on learning technologies, aligns to training record keeping requirements and recommendation, and employs learning analytics to guide continuous improvement.

Requirements

In depth knowledge of clinical trial operations and clinical data management
Proficiency in designing curriculum architecture and learning pathways aligned to role-based competency and skills frameworks
Experience developing assessment strategy and evaluation methods including competency-based validation
Experience building and sustaining communities of practice and peer-learning mechanisms (facilitation, mentoring, knowledge sharing)
Working knowledge of learning analytics and dashboarding (coverage, completion, proficiency, impact/behavior change, ROI/benefits).
Experience integrating curricula and reporting with enterprise learning technologies (e.g., LMS/LXP) while applying data privacy and access controls.
Ability to translate internal/external insights and lessons learned into learning assets
Demonstrated strategic leadership and ability to influence senior-level leaders and stakeholders across functions, geographies, and levels
Exceptional communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills across global and matrixed environments
Strong conceptual and analytical thinking; able to translate strategy into actionable execution
Demonstrated success in mentoring, coaching, and developing talent in a global organization
Demonstrated success driving change and alignment across complex, cross-functional structures
High resilience, adaptability, and professional maturity in evolving business environment
Business Savviness | Uses organizational and industry insights to identify trends, assesses Data Management operating practices and performance, evaluates process or operating model changes, and anticipates impacts on delivery, resourcing, and stakeholders
Strategic Planning | Triages activities and assignments by business criticality, and reprioritizes work as timelines, risks, and stakeholder needs shift
Execution Excellence | Proactively takes initiative beyond assigned responsibilities to unblock delivery, close gaps, and achieve program and operational results
Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, data management, or clinical trial operations and a minimum of 3 years in learning and development. OR Advanced Degree (Masters or Doctorate) with a minimum of 4 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, data management, or clinical trial operations and a minimum of 3 years in learning and development.

Nice To Haves

Adaptability
Biopharmaceutical Industry
Business Acumen
Business Case Development
Clinical Database Programming
Clinical Data Management
Clinical Data Standards
Clinical Trials
Competency Framework Design
Curriculum Development
Data Analysis
Data Management
Data Quality Assurance
Data Reporting
Data Validation
Detail-Oriented
Good Clinical Data Management Practice (GCDMP)
Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Interpersonal Relationships
Learning Analytics
Learning and Development (L&D)
Mentoring Staff
Project Management Tools
Recordkeeping

Responsibilities

In collaboration with Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) leadership, defines and maintains GDMS onboarding material and associated processes; ensures alignment with broader organizational onboarding activities
In partnership with GDMS leadership and subject matter experts, defines skill and knowledge requirements that align with business needs and organizational priorities
Working with representatives from the GDMS global data management centers, defines and implements a skill and knowledge development strategy inclusive of role-based competency frameworks, role-based curricula, and delivery mechanisms
Engages with Human Resources, enterprise learning and development, Global Clinical Trial Operations ( GCTO), and external partnerships to source curated training and learning material that aligns with organizational priorities
Own and drive the GDMS Academy learning and development strategy, proactively identifying capability gaps and building the business case for learning priorities
Leads delivery and coordination of the GDMS learning portfolio, ensuring quality, consistency, and on-time execution
Establishes standards for content design, facilitation, and evaluation; coach subject matter experts and facilitators to those standards
Defines annual skill and knowledge development plan, success criteria, and measurement model; publishes dashboards and drives follow-through on actions to continuously improve
Coordinates with Human Resources, enterprise learning and development and Global Clinical Trial Operations ( GCTO) on tools, LMS (Learning Management System) integrations, and enterprise talent initiatives that relate to GDMS learning
Lead continuous improvement of the GDMS Academy curriculum using learning analytics, stakeholder feedback, and benchmarking insights to regularly assess and evolve design, delivery mechanisms, and measurement frameworks
Manages onboarding, rotation, shadow, and intern programs end-to-end, including selection, matching, objectives, and outcomes tracking
Builds external engagement plan (industry forums, benchmarking, associations) and evaluates insights for internal learning opportunities and curriculum refinement
Develops and coordinates recognition and learning campaigns that motivate skill and knowledge uptake