Global Program Head Oncology

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany • Billerica, MA

1d

About The Position

In your role as Global Program Head (GPH), you hold final accountability for the overall vision, strategy, execution, and development deliverables of one or more highly complex and/or partnered global programs within a designated disease or clinical area. You will lead one or more Global Program Teams (GPTs) consisting of multidisciplinary functional experts focused on clinical development, securing global regulatory approvals, ensuring market access, and optimizing the commercial value of the program(s). Your position involves extensive collaboration with leaders from internal and external development and commercial teams to design and implement a comprehensive strategy. Additionally, you will represent the GPT(s) and the company as a business and scientific leader in Alliance governance and other relevant external meetings.
Key responsibilities include establishing a program vision and strategy, proactively shaping the external environment to defend and improve the company's position, and anticipating internal and external drivers of change to program strategy. You will ensure alignment across global functions and regions, lead collaboration to implement agreed plans, and serve as the primary internal communication contact for assigned program(s). Additionally, you will manage program budget decisions, build and lead high-performing cross-functional teams, and provide strong enterprise leadership. The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline, significant experience in global drug development, and demonstrated success in influencing and interacting cross-functionally in a matrix environment. Strong business acumen, leadership skills, and the ability to navigate uncertainty are essential for this role.
The ideal candidate will possess an advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline, with a preference for a doctoral-level degree (MD, PhD, or PharmD).
You should have a minimum of 10+ years of experience in global drug development, including substantial managerial experience leading multidisciplinary global program teams in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
Demonstrated expertise across various areas of drug development is essential, along with a broad understanding of research, pre-clinical development, process development, manufacturing, clinical, regulatory, and marketing processes.
You should be a business-savvy executive with mature leadership capabilities, adept in decision-making, conflict resolution, and influencing others.
Your entrepreneurial drive will be recognized, and you will have the ability to represent the company effectively and negotiate at all levels, both internally and externally, across key geographies. Outstanding interpersonal skills are critical for constructive interaction with all functions within a global matrix organization, including partnerships with external organizations.
A strong strategic thinker and enterprise leader, capable of exercising sound judgment in uncertain situations or when faced with incomplete or ambiguous data.
A strong results orientation and excellent communication and team leadership skills are essential for success in this role.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline
• 10+ years of experience in global drug development
• Substantial managerial experience leading multidisciplinary global program teams in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
• Demonstrated expertise across various areas of drug development
• Broad understanding of research, pre-clinical development, process development, manufacturing, clinical, regulatory, and marketing processes
• Business-savvy executive with mature leadership capabilities
• Adept in decision-making, conflict resolution, and influencing others
• Ability to represent the company effectively and negotiate at all levels, both internally and externally, across key geographies
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Strong strategic thinker and enterprise leader
• Capable of exercising sound judgment in uncertain situations or when faced with incomplete or ambiguous data
• Strong results orientation
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral-level degree (MD, PhD, or PharmD)
• Late stage oncology experience
• Experience with global or regional launches, as well as marketed products
• Strong knowledge in the relevant therapeutic area
• Proven track record of influencing and collaborating cross-functionally within a matrix environment
• Entrepreneurial drive

Responsibilities

• Establishing a program vision and strategy
• Proactively shaping the external environment to defend and improve the company's position
• Anticipating internal and external drivers of change to program strategy
• Ensuring alignment across global functions and regions
• Leading collaboration to implement agreed plans
• Serving as the primary internal communication contact for assigned program(s)
• Managing program budget decisions
• Building and leading high-performing cross-functional teams
• Providing strong enterprise leadership

Benefits

• health insurance
• paid time off (PTO)
• retirement contributions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree