Associate Director, Global Clinical Trial Manager

Merck•Billerica, MA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Global Clinical Trial Manager is a hybrid position (3 days onsite, 2 days remote) located in the Boston area (Billerica). There will be minimal travel, possibly domestic and international, to meet business needs. Reporting to the Head of Compound Operational Leads, the Global Clinical Team Manager (GCTM) has a key organizational role in supporting the Global Clinical Lead (GCL) by facilitating the management and delivery of cross-functional Clinical Team (CT) efforts. The GCTM partners with the GCL to support activities that ensure the seamless translation of strategic elements of the Integrated Evidence Plan (IEP) into actionable clinical strategies and Clinical Development Plans. The role requires close collaboration with various functional sub-teams to ensure the delivery and integration of their functional plans (e.g. Biomarker Plan, Clinical Pharmacology Plan). GCTMs serve as the operational enablers of the CT — ensuring that cross-functional plans are integrated, governance interactions are well-prepared and outcomes are clearly communicated, and any risk to program timelines are addressed through CT discussion and management. By maintaining accuracy of program timelines, budgets, and risk registers, this role directly protects the integrity of clinical development plans and enables faster, better-informed decisions at governance level.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, project management, or a related discipline
8+ years of experience in drug development in the global pharmaceutical industry
Minimum 5+ years of experience in clinical drug development, project management, or clinical program coordination in a pharmaceutical or CRO environment

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, project management, or a related discipline
Professional Project Management certification (e.g., PMP) desirable
Demonstrated experience facilitating cross-functional teams and managing meeting logistics, action tracking, and governance documentation
Familiarity with clinical development processes, key documents (protocols, CSRs, IBs), and governance structures
Strong proficiency of the cross-functional drug development process and critical thinking (product positioning, competitive landscape, project strategy)
Robust leadership skills including situational leadership and ability to influence without authority with clear potential for leadership roles in the future
Solid written and verbal communication skills
Proficient in managing the project management triangle & navigating / coordinating cross-functionally.
Advanced ability to manage project complexity and execution

Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional project management activities for one or more Clinical Team(s) (CT) from First in Human through market launch to life-cycle management, with the goal of bringing new medicines to patients.
Collaborate with the GCL and the members of the CT to faciliate and track the activities required to develop, plan, and execute competitive development programs ensuring timely decision points and milestones.
Organize CT meetings, including preparation of high quality agendas and minutes in timely manner, and follow up on action items.
Assist the GCL in managing risks to cost, timelines, and quality of program-wide clinical activities, as needed.
Collaborate with CT members to support the development of high-quality data packages and presentations for governance and committee interactions to enable fast decision-making.
Support the CT members in preparing and updating key strategic documents, as needed.
Organize and coordinate information flow within the CT and across other stakeholders to ensure alignment and leverage best practices.
Liaise with the Global Program Head (GPH) and Program Management Lead (PML) to ensure consistent communication and coordination.
Manage internal and external clinical program reporting and communication, ensuring transparency and timeliness, in alignment with the GCL.
Act as a change agent, driving continuous improvement and implementation of transformational initiatives within the CT.
Support coordination of adhoc cross-functional team meetings and task forces to address and resolve issues, when required.
Partner with GCL to proactively manage and follow-up with cross-functional team members.
Oversee program management activities to support the timely delivery of the programs clinical development plan.
Contribute to organization-wide and functional initiatives or represents the department effectively on cross-functional teams to enhance the broader organization.
No direct reports. Coordinates and facilitates the CT through matrix leadership, aligning cross-functional team members and program stakeholders without formal line authority.
Acts as the operational backbone of the CT under the direction of the GCL.