Executive Director

Job Description

The Executive Director, Clinical Science is a senior leader within Oncology Clinical Development responsible for providing strategic, scientific, operational, and people leadership across a portfolio of oncology programs spanning multiple therapeutic areas (Thoracic, Lung, Head & Neck, and Gastrointestinal Cancers) and stages of development.

Reporting to the Head of Clinical Science Oncology, this role serves as a member of the Oncology 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 matrixed organization of Clinical Scientists supporting oncology 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 different perspectives, and enable successful execution of oncology development strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Portfolio Leadership

• 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 oncology assets across multiple therapeutic areas and stages of development.

• Partner with Therapeutic Area Heads 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.

Clinical Science Excellence

• 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.

Innovation, AI, and Digital Transformation

• 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.

People Leadership and Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Clinical Science organization.

• Champion a culture of leadership excellence by guiding, developing, and holding accountable leaders at multiple levels within the CS 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 and CS people leaders, 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.

Organizational Leadership

• 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.

Essential Leadership Skills

• Generate and consider options for action to achieve a long-range goal; develop decision criteria considering factors, such as cost, benefits, risks, timing and buy-in; select the strategy most likely to succeed.

• Identify the key tasks and resources needed to achieve strategic objectives.

• Offer a broad organizational perspective that goes beyond the goals of one’s immediate business unit or work role; question assumptions about existing relationships; demonstrate flexibility when forming and adjusting partnerships to achieve broader goals; show willingness to work across current boundaries.

• Ensure that those responsible for implementing a strategic initiative have role clarity and accountability for required actions and outputs, as well as the direction and authority to act in a way consistent with organizational values.

• Leverage environmental supports and remove development barriers; advocate for individual to higher levels of management to create development opportunities; provide guidance and positive models; seek suggestions for improving performance; collaboratively create development plans that include activities targeted to specific goals.

• Create momentum by taking immediate action and encouraging others to take action to improve organizational culture, processes or products/services; offer resources and direction to support implementation; break down cultural and operational barriers to change; recognize and reward those who contribute to change efforts.

Education

• Advanced scientific or healthcare degree required (PhD, PharmD) + at least 10 years of oncology drug development experience OR

• Master’s Degree in life sciences + 15 years of oncology drug development experience

Required Experience and Skills:

• Significant experience in oncology 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 the therapeutic areas of Thoracic, Lung, Head & Neck, and Gastrointestinal preferred.  

Required Skills:

Advanced Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Clinical Development, Clinical Sciences, Cross-Functional Leadership, Executive Leadership, Global Clinical Studies, Innovation, Matrix Leadership, Oncology, Oncology Drug Development, Regulatory Submissions, Strategic Leadership, Talent Development

Preferred Skills:

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The salary range for this role is

$255,800.00 - $402,700.00

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 https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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

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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:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

08/24/2026

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