Executive Director, Clinical Science, Immunology

MSD•Rahway, NJ

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director, Clinical Science is a senior leader within Non-Oncology Clinical Development responsible for providing strategic, scientific, operational, and people leadership across a portfolio of immunology programs spanning multiple stages of development. Reporting to the Head of Clinical Science Non-Oncology, this role serves as a member of the Clinical Science Leadership Team and plays a key role in shaping the strategic direction, operational effectiveness, and long-term growth of the Clinical Science organization. The Executive Director leads a large organization of Clinical Scientists supporting immunology development programs and is accountable for portfolio delivery, organizational performance, talent development, capability building, and continuous improvement. This leader ensures the highest standards of scientific rigor, patient focus, quality, and regulatory readiness while driving consistency and excellence across Clinical Science activities. The role champions innovation and modern ways of working by advancing the adoption of digital capabilities, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and data-driven approaches that enhance decision-making, improve efficiency, and strengthen study oversight across the portfolio. The Executive Director fosters a culture of learning, inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement while developing future leaders and building organizational capability to meet evolving business needs. Success in this role requires strong enterprise leadership and effective collaboration across Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other key partner functions. The Executive Director influences across organizational boundaries to align priorities, integrate diverse perspectives, and enable successful execution of oncology development strategies.

Requirements

Advanced scientific or healthcare degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD) with at least 10 years of drug development experience; OR Master’s degree, preferably in a life sciences-related field, with at least 15 years of drug development experience.
Significant experience in drug development with demonstrated success across multiple phases of clinical development.
Deep expertise in Clinical Science, Clinical Development, and execution of global clinical programs.
Experience supporting regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, and late-stage development activities.
Proven leadership experience managing in large, matrixed organizations through multiple levels of management.
Demonstrated success developing talent, building leadership capability, and creating high-performing teams.
Familiarity with, or interest in emerging AI, advanced analytics, and digital capabilities applicable to clinical development.
Experience in immunology development strongly preferred.
Advanced Analytics
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Clinical Development
Clinical Sciences
Cross-Functional Leadership
Drug Development
Executive Leadership
Global Clinical Studies
Immunology
Innovation
Matrix Leadership
Regulatory Submissions
Strategic Leadership
Talent Development

Nice To Haves

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
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 place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Responsibilities

Holds accountability for portfolio delivery from the Clinical Science perspective, including prioritization, resource alignment, and support for key development milestones across studies, programs, and assets.
Provide strategic oversight for a portfolio of immunology assets across multiple stages of development.
Partner with the Immunology Therapeutic Area Head and leaders across Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, and Medical Affairs to drive development strategy execution and delivery of key portfolio milestones.
Ensure Clinical Science contributions support development plans, regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, and lifecycle management activities.
Apply Clinical Science expertise to inform therapeutic area and portfolio strategy across evolving science, treatment trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory considerations.
Optimize allocation of Clinical Science resources and associated budgets across a complex and evolving portfolio to align with business priorities and organizational objectives.
Serve as a senior escalation point for scientific, and resource-related issues, enabling effective and timely resolution.
Establish and sustain high standards for scientific rigor, clinical science quality, medical data review, study oversight, and regulatory readiness across the portfolio.
Drive consistency in clinical science practices, study execution, and data interpretation across therapeutic areas and development programs.
Foster a culture of proactive risk identification, mitigation, inspection readiness, and continuous quality improvement.
Advance innovative approaches to medical data review, signal detection, study oversight, and evidence-based decision-making that enhance development outcomes.
Champion adoption of AI-enabled, digital, and technology-driven capabilities that enhance Clinical Science productivity, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Contribute to identifying opportunities to leverage advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital solutions to improve decision-making, strengthen study oversight, and streamline workflows.
Drive modernization of clinical data review through innovative approaches that enhance insight generation and support timely, informed decisions.
Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, continuous learning, and responsible implementation of emerging technologies.
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to define, develop, and implement scalable capabilities that support future organizational needs and long-term business success.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Clinical Science organization.
Build organizational capability through talent planning, succession management, leadership development, and career growth strategies.
Create an inclusive environment that promotes engagement, psychological safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous development.
Develop future leaders by mentoring Clinical Scientists, strengthening scientific, strategic, and leadership capabilities across the organization.
Ensure leaders are equipped to provide effective coaching, feedback, performance development, and career support for their teams.
Contribute to the development and execution of Clinical Science strategy, priorities, and long-term organizational objectives.
Lead initiatives related to organizational design, workforce planning, and resource optimization to support evolving portfolio and business needs.
Develop and implement scalable operating models that balance portfolio execution, organizational effectiveness, employee development, and talent retention.
Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve efficiency, effectiveness, innovation, and organizational health.
Represent Clinical Science in governance forums, leadership discussions, and strategic planning activities.
Shape functional and enterprise priorities through leadership engagement, cross-functional partnerships, and influence across organizational boundaries.