Senior Director, Clinical Science, Pulmonary Hypertension and Cardiovascular, Hybrid

Merck•Boston, MA

7d•$210,400 - $331,100•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Clinical Science, Pulmonary Hypertension and Cardiovascular provides strategic Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, and assets. Reporting to the Executive Director, the role contributes to disease area strategy and development planning, applying deep therapeutic expertise to guide Clinical Science approaches and promote consistent scientific standards, medical data review practices, and decision-making across the portfolio. The role 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. It shapes Clinical Science practices across the portfolio through standardization, alignment of scientific approaches, and integration of insights across assets. The Senior Director may directly manage and develop multiple Clinical Scientists, providing leadership, coaching, and direction within a matrix environment. The position works closely with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, Medical Affairs, and other partner functions, and contributes to governance discussions and senior leadership reviews. The role is based in Rahway, New Jersey, with a hybrid work arrangement and 25% travel. The position offers a base salary range of $210,400 to $331,100 for the primary location, with eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Requirements

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 therapeutic expertise in Pulmonary Hypertension and Cardiovascular disease, including disease biology, treatment landscape, clinically relevant endpoints, and scientific considerations affecting development.
Strong understanding of clinical trial design, clinical development strategy, clinical data review, and interpretation of oncology data, as stated in the posting.
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 within 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.
One of the following education and experience combinations: advanced scientific or healthcare degree (e.g., PhD or PharmD) or equivalent, and 8+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical drug development, and/or medical field experience preferred; or a master’s degree, preferably in life sciences, and 12+ years of such experience; or a bachelor’s degree, preferably in life sciences, and 15+ years of such experience.
Leadership capabilities including setting direction, scientific and strategic judgment, collaboration, developing people, inclusion, accountability, clear communication, influence in a matrix environment, continuous improvement, and practical decision-making.
Required skills listed: Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Development, Clinical Research Management, Clinical Sciences, Data Quality, Ethical Standards, High Performance Team Building, Life Science, Matrix Leadership, Matrix Management, Medical Monitoring, New Technology Integration, People Leadership, Pharmaceutical Industry, Regulatory Compliance, Therapeutic Knowledge, and Trial Design.
No visa sponsorship is offered.

Nice To Haves

Preferred skills listed: Data Interpretations, Next Generation Science Standards, and Study Design.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic Clinical Science leadership across multiple studies, programs, and assets in the disease area.
Contribute Clinical Science perspectives to disease area strategy, development opportunities, scientific considerations, portfolio risks, and implications of emerging data.
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 development decisions.
Integrate scientific insights across studies and assets to support development decisions.
Standardize Clinical Science approaches, including medical data review practices, data interpretation principles, and key deliverables, while accounting for program-specific needs.
Establish and maintain standards, expectations, and leading practices for Clinical Science work across the portfolio.
Promote alignment on disease area considerations, including endpoint interpretation, patient populations, safety topics, and emerging scientific issues.
Advocate for innovative approaches such as visual analytics, centralized data review, AI-enabled workflows, and other technologies that improve quality and efficiency.
Provide senior scientific guidance across assigned studies and programs and guide interpretation of clinical data across studies, cohorts, and assets.
Identify and frame clinical, scientific, and data-related issues for cross-functional and governance discussions.
Contribute scientific input to protocol development and amendments, study design, endpoint selection, eligibility criteria, biomarker strategy, and other development planning.
Serve as a Clinical Science subject matter resource for the disease area or therapeutic focus.
Contribute to portfolio discussions, governance reviews, and senior leadership meetings; prepare and present relevant clinical and scientific content and assessments.
Translate portfolio priorities into Clinical Science strategies, capabilities, and resource plans.
Directly manage Directors, Principal Scientists, and Clinical Scientists as appropriate; set expectations and support staff development through coaching, mentoring, and feedback.
Promote consistent role expectations and ways of working, and foster accountability, inclusion, continuous learning, and strong team performance.
Represent Clinical Science in cross-functional planning, program discussions, and strategic decision-making forums; facilitate alignment and clear communication of issues.
Ensure Clinical Science activities comply with regulatory requirements, company policies, and established procedures; support inspection readiness and appropriate documentation.
Identify improvements to the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of Clinical Science work and maintain awareness of relevant scientific, clinical, and regulatory developments.