Senior Director, Clinical Science, Infectious Disease, Hybrid

Merck•Boston, MA

5d•$210,400 - $331,100•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Clinical Science, Infectious Disease provides strategic Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, and assets. Reporting to the Executive Director, the role contributes to disease area strategy, development planning, scientific standards, medical data review practices, and portfolio decision-making. It requires deep expertise in infectious disease biology, the treatment landscape, clinical endpoints, and scientific considerations that shape development strategy and study design. The Senior Director partners with Section Heads, Asset Leads, Program Development Team Leads, and cross-functional development teams to support study planning, data interpretation, issue resolution, and program decisions. The role shapes Clinical Science practices across the infectious disease portfolio through standardization, alignment of scientific approaches, and integration of insights across assets. It may include direct management and development of multiple Clinical Scientists, with leadership, coaching, and direction in a matrix environment. The position collaborates with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other partner functions. It also contributes to governance discussions, portfolio reviews, and senior leadership communications. Clinical Science activities must comply with applicable regulations, company policies, and procedures, and support appropriate documentation and inspection readiness. The position is hybrid, based primarily in Rahway, New Jersey, with 25% travel and a first-shift schedule. The listed base salary range for the primary location is $210,400 to $331,100, and the successful candidate may be eligible for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Requirements

Advanced scientific or healthcare degree (e.g., PhD or PharmD), or equivalent, with 8+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, and/or medical field experience; OR a master’s degree, preferably in life sciences, with 12+ years of such experience; OR a bachelor’s degree, preferably in life sciences, with 15+ years of such experience.
Significant experience in Clinical Development, Clinical Science, clinical drug development, or a related function in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
Demonstrated Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, or assets.
Deep infectious disease therapeutic expertise, including disease biology, current and emerging treatment landscape, clinically relevant endpoints, and development considerations.
Strong understanding of clinical trial design, clinical development strategy, clinical data review, and interpretation of oncology data.
Experience contributing to disease area strategy, portfolio discussions, or cross-program planning.
Experience contributing to regulatory submissions, safety reviews, or health authority interactions.
Experience working effectively in cross-functional teams in a matrix environment.
Ability to integrate information across studies and programs to support scientific and business decisions.
Excellent communication, influence, and executive presentation skills.
Demonstrated people leadership, including management, coaching, and development of scientific staff.
Skills in Clinical Development, Clinical Research Management, Clinical Sciences, Data Quality, Ethical Standards, High Performance Team Building, Infectious Disease, Matrix Leadership, Matrix Management, Medical Monitoring, New Technology Integration, People Leadership, Pharmaceutical Industry, Regulatory Compliance, Therapeutic Knowledge, and Trial Design.

Nice To Haves

Data Interpretations.
Next Generation Science Standards.
Study Design.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, and assets in the disease area.
Contribute Clinical Science input to disease area strategy, development opportunities, scientific considerations, portfolio risks, and emerging data assessments.
Partner with Section Heads, Asset Leads, Program Development Team Leads, and cross-functional leaders to align Clinical Science activities with program and disease area objectives.
Apply therapeutic expertise to inform study planning, data interpretation, issue resolution, and cross-study and cross-asset insights.
Lead standardization of Clinical Science approaches, medical data review practices, data interpretation principles, deliverables, and portfolio practices.
Establish and maintain standards, expectations, and leading practices for Clinical Science work while accounting for program-specific needs.
Promote alignment across assets on endpoints, patient populations, safety topics, and emerging scientific issues.
Advocate for visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other technologies that improve quality and efficiency.
Guide interpretation of clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets to assess trends, opportunities, risks, and program implications.
Identify and frame clinical, scientific, and data-related issues for cross-functional and governance discussions.
Contribute scientific input to protocols, amendments, study design, endpoint selection, eligibility criteria, biomarker strategy, and development planning.
Serve as a Clinical Science subject matter resource for the disease area or therapeutic focus.
Contribute Clinical Science perspectives to portfolio discussions, governance reviews, senior leadership meetings, and program reviews.
Prepare and present clinical and scientific content, cross-study insights, assessments, and key issues for leaders and governance bodies.
Translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies, capabilities, and resource plans.
Manage and develop Directors, Principal Scientists, and Clinical Scientists, as appropriate, by setting expectations and providing coaching, mentoring, feedback, and development opportunities.
Promote consistent role expectations, accountability, inclusion, continuous learning, and strong team performance.
Represent Clinical Science in cross-functional planning, program discussions, and strategic decision-making forums; facilitate alignment across teams and functions.
Ensure Clinical Science activities follow regulatory requirements, company policies, and established procedures, and support inspection readiness and appropriate documentation.
Identify opportunities to improve Clinical Science quality, consistency, and effectiveness, and maintain awareness of relevant scientific, clinical, and regulatory developments.