Job Description

Global Project and Alliance Management (GPAM) sits in the Research & Development Division (R&D). The Project Managers in GPAM are core members of development teams at our Company. Project Managers drive these cross-functional teams to deliver projects and products that improve human health and business.
Under GPAM, the CMC Integrated Project Management (CIPM) organization supports Development and Commercialization Teams (DCTs) responsible for building and executing CMC development plans.
Under the guidance of the CIPM Staff Manager & Portfolio Lead, the core responsibility of this senior Project Manager (PM) role will be to manage CMC programs, due diligence and business development activities independently, regardless of complexity, phase or program type, and is based on direct experience and the ability to translate prior experiences to a new challenge. Project consultation with supervisors, rather than "oversight" is expected at this level. In addition, the Director may be expected to take on one of the following important responsibilities: 1) mentoring/coaching other PMs, including understanding their projects and developing their knowledge of drug/vaccine/biologics development, governance & team processes and PM skills; 2) management and/or administration of strategic management or governance committees and 3) delivery of major change projects that impact the company or Team performance.
Primary Responsibilities:
Management of Development & Commercialization Teams (~70%)

• Able to independently manage CMC development projects of any type, including those which require extensive experience with drug / vaccine / biologics / antibody drug conjugate development, and company processes/procedures related to CMC teams due to their significant importance to the company or degree of complexity
• Must be able to develop high performing matrix teams with an ability to quickly identify gaps in team effectiveness and implement remediation efforts to ensure project success
• Leverages business and financial acumen to drive project plans that optimize the portfolio with respect to timeline, cost, and resources

Talent Development, Process Improvement, and PM Operational Support (~30%)

• Fosters a culture that aligns with the organizational vision and act as a strong change agent with stakeholders and partners.
• Coach more junior staff in the nuances of managing a CMC project: management of team dynamics, understanding stages of development and how functional inputs interact to ensure project progression, coaching on Company processes relating to CMC development team management, strategic document preparation, PM skills, and Team Management.
• Work to ensure that PM best practices are being employed across projects and serve as a role model for how best practices are put in place within CMC project teams.
• Actively participate in departmental administrative processes which relate to talent development/ management and improving the standards of the PM organization.
• Participate in or lead continuous improvement projects that require extensive product development experience and understanding of procedures and policies, and which significantly impact the work and / or effectiveness of PM. These projects can be cross divisional and relate to optimizing PM capabilities, systems, and operations (e,g., leading efforts to improve planning systems platforms, etc.) or to improving the functioning of teams and / or CMC development processes.

Education Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; concentration in a scientific-related discipline preferred

Required Experience and Skills:

• Eight (8) + years in a PM related or leadership role
• Demonstrated ability to manage resources, time, and budget effectively for given projects; is business savvy and results oriented
• Working knowledge of clinical drug development, with relevant experience that informs fluent understanding of the different phases of development, associated CMC deliverables, and how the various functional areas contribute to a comprehensive strategy
• Familiar with project management tools and systems or demonstrated ability to rapidly become proficient in new tools

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• 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
• Experience with the planning and execution of strategies for drug product registration and commercialization / life-cycle management (can be R&D, manufacturing, or commercial perspective), with demonstrated ability to translate knowledge and expertise to other development teams and areas.
• Superior interpersonal skills and expert team player with ability to build and manage collaborative relationships at all levels inside and outside of the organization, specifically with senior management.
• Sufficient skill levels and technical understanding of CMC development to be recognized as a project management/CMC expert within the broader organization
• Well-connected and networked within the company or has attributes that would allow establishment of such networks rapidly
• Proven ability to analyze, integrate, recommend, contribute to development of conceptual plans for, and lead implementation of, strategic, process, and team improvement and change initiatives cross-functionally
• Effective at energizing others, establishing clear goals, delegating responsibility, mentoring and coaching within a team setting
• Demonstrated situational leadership and creative problem solving within department and teams
• Able to understand project details, but keep overall "big picture" view of projects, priorities, and strategies
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written. Knows when and how to speak up and appropriately raise issues to team and to management. Keeps both team members, departmental colleagues (as appropriate), and management fully apprised of project initiative status and issues at the right level of detail
• This position may be based in either Rahway, NJ, or Upper Gwynedd, PA.

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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 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:
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.
U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".
The salary range for this role is $169,700.00 - $267,200.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at .
You can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
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 in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status: Regular
Relocation: Domestic
VISA Sponsorship: No
Travel Requirements: 10%
Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid
Shift: Not Indicated
Valid Driving License: No
Hazardous Material(s): n/a
Required Skills: Adaptability, Adaptability, Budget Development, Business Acumen, Business Development, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Clinical Trial Management, Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Drug Development, Management Process, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacology, Portfolio Optimization, Product Development, Project Budgeting, Project Management, Project Planning, Project Scheduling, Project Strategy, Regulatory Compliance, Results-Oriented, Risk Management, Software Project Management {+ 5 more}
Preferred Skills:
Job Posting End Date: 09/25/2025
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Skills Required