Director, Project Management - Staff Management (Drug Development) - Hybrid

Job Description

Global Project and Alliance Management (GPAM) sits in the Research & Development Division (R&D). The Development Project Managers in GPAM are core members of development teams at our Company. Development Project Managers drive these cross-functional teams to deliver projects and products that improve human health and business.

Under the broad guidance of the Executive Director, GPAM, the core responsibility of this senior Development Project Manager role will be direct management of Development Project Managers, including understanding their projects and developing their knowledge of drug/vaccine/biologics development, governance & team processes.  The staff manager will be expected to monitor quality of project management deliverables and assign accountability for the maintenance of project management fundamental practices to staff in support of broader business goals.

This role will also independently manage development programs and / or due diligence/business development activities, regardless of complexity, phase or program type, based on direct experience and / or the ability to translate prior experiences to new opportunities.

Responsibilities

Talent Development (40-60%): 

• Line manage Development Project Managers 
• Coach more junior staff in the nuances of managing a development project—management of team dynamics, comprehending stages of development and how functional inputs interact to ensure project progression, coaching on Our Company/ our Research & Development Division /GPAM processes, and PM skills. 

Working with staff to:

• Set appropriate goals and monitor against these.
• Provide career guidance and ensure employees have personal development plans and meaningful discussions on an ongoing basis,
• Ensure compliance with training, policy and procedures, and
• Conduct effective calibration of employees and provide objective assessments, including taking corrective measures if employee performance does not meet expectations.

Pipeline Management (40-60%):

In addition to Talent Development,

• Able to independently manage development projects and / or due diligence efforts of any type, irrespective of phase, complexity, priority, or involvement with an alliance partner. 
• Work to ensure that PM standards are being employed across projects.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects that require extensive product development experience and comprehension of our company procedures and policies. These departmental, cross-divisional, or major corporate change projects can relate to optimizing capabilities, systems and operations, or improving the functioning of teams and / or development processes.

Qualifications

Minimum education required:

• Bachelor's degree

Preferred:  

• Degree concentration in a scientific-related discipline
• Project Management certification / training (PMP) and / or coursework & training in Project Management 
• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MS, PharmD, Ph.D.) 

Required Experience and skills: 

• Eight (8) years of experience in PM or related role/expertise in pharma and/or biotech or related role in product development/pharma/biotech;
• Demonstrated ability to manage resources, time, and budget effectively for given projects; is business savvy and results oriented. 

Preferred Experience and skills:

• Twelve (12) years of experience preferred, or equivalent combination of advanced education and relevant experience and/or training.
• Six (6) years of experience in direct people management or demonstrated experience building/cultivating talent
• Planning and execution of strategies for drug/vaccine 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
• Sufficient skill levels and technical comprehension of product development to be recognized as a project management/product development expert within the broader organization  
• Proven ability to evaluate, integrate, recommend, contribute to development of conceptual plans for, and guide 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 comprehend 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
• This position may be based in either Rahway, NJ, or Upper Gwynedd, PA.

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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 Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

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. 

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