Director, Development Project Management (Hybrid)

Merck • North Wales, PA

2d • $173,200 - $272,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

Global Project and Alliance Management (GPAM) sits within the Research & Development Division (R&D). Development Project Managers in GPAM are core members of development teams, partnering with cross-functional leaders to advance programs that improve human health and deliver business impact. This Director-level Project Manager role independently leads complex development programs, due diligence efforts, and business development activities across drug, vaccine, and biologics development. In addition to leading assigned programs, the Director provides enterprise leadership that helps shape development strategy, governance outcomes, and organizational effectiveness. The role is expected to operate with a high degree of independence, seeking leadership input primarily for strategic consultation and alignment. In addition to core program leadership responsibilities, the Director may mentor and coach other Project Managers, support strategic management or governance committees, and lead major change initiatives that improve company, department, or team performance.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in a project management related or leadership role
• Demonstrated ability to manage resources, timelines, and budgets effectively; strong business acumen and results orientation
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence without direct authority, and drive alignment across different stakeholders
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to frame issues clearly, raise risks appropriately, and keep teams and leadership informed of project status, decisions, and trade-offs
• Bachelor’s degree required; concentration in a scientific-related discipline preferred

Nice To Haves

• Advanced scientific degree (Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), PharmD, Ph.D.)
• Project Management Certification (PMP) or formal coursework/training in project management
• Demonstrated technical understanding of product development and the ability to apply project management expertise to complex development challenges
• Ability to build effective networks across functions and rapidly establish productive working relationships
• Proven ability to analyze and integrate complex information, recommend strategic options, contribute to conceptual planning, and lead implementation of strategic, process, team improvement, and change initiatives cross-functionally
• Effective at energizing others, establishing clear goals, delegating responsibility, and mentoring and coaching in a team setting
• Demonstrated situational leadership and creative problem-solving skills within departments and teams
• Ability to understand project details while maintaining a broad view of program objectives, priorities, and strategies
• Experience supporting planning and execution of strategies for drug or vaccine product registration, commercialization, or life-cycle management from an R&D, manufacturing, or commercial perspective, with demonstrated ability to translate knowledge and expertise across development teams and areas

Responsibilities

• Independently lead complex product development programs and due diligence efforts, including programs requiring significant experience with drug, vaccine, or biologics development, company processes, and cross-functional governance expectations.
• Drive alignment, execution, and decision readiness across projects of varying phase, complexity, priority, and alliance-partner involvement. Serve as an enterprise leader, influencing decisions, priorities, and development strategies across functions, governance bodies, and development teams.
• Operate with limited day-to-day direction, engaging management primarily for strategic consultation, escalation, and alignment on significant decisions or risks. Guide teams through governance processes, organizational decision-making frameworks, and business requirements to enable timely and well-informed decisions.
• Anticipate risks, identify trade-offs, and help teams develop pragmatic mitigation strategies that enable timely, high-quality governance and development decisions. Challenge assumptions, frame strategic options, and help teams and senior leaders make informed decisions in situations of ambiguity and competing priorities.
• Mentor and coach Project Managers on development team leadership, team dynamics, functional integration, governance processes, strategic document preparation, and core project management practices.
• Promote consistent use of project management best practices across development teams to improve execution, transparency, and decision quality.
• Lead or contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that require product development expertise and a strong understanding of procedures, policies, systems, and team operating models. These initiatives may include improving planning platforms, project management capabilities, team effectiveness, or development processes.
• Lead cross-divisional work groups and support improvements to processes, tools, and templates that strengthen product development and project management execution. Lead strategic change initiatives that enhance organizational capabilities, project management practices, and development effectiveness across teams and functions.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days
• annual bonus
• long-term incentive

What This Job Offers

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