Executive Director, Statistical Programming (Hybrid)

Job Description

In BARDS (Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences), a distinguished department within our company’s renowned Research and Development division, quantitative scientists, in partnership with other subject matter experts, apply state-of-the art scientific methodologies and tools to enable the discovery, development, regulatory approval, manufacturing, and marketing of medical drugs and vaccines for the benefit of patients and global human health.

Reporting to the head of Statistical Programming (SP), the Executive Director is accountable for a team of statistical programmers who provide support for clinical development projects covering a diverse scope of business areas and stakeholders including Translational Medicine, Early Oncology, Biomarkers, PK/PD, Clinical Safety, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls and Secondary Publications.

This role is a vital member of the Statistical Programming Leadership Team and is a recognized and influential leader, serving as a role model for effective people management. Additionally, the Executive Director establishes the team's strategic and operational objectives and fosters productive collaborations with stakeholders in Biostatistics, Clinical Research, Data Management, Regulatory Affairs, and IT.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Determines the BARDS analysis and reporting programming strategy for early-stage development projects, works in partnership with Statistical and Programming leaders, manages work according to company scorecard, collaborates with stakeholders and interfaces with functional service partners.

• Manages managers and builds high-performing teams; recruits and hires staff, conducts performance reviews, implements talent management strategies, develops employees, and advocates for the team at the functional leadership level. Additionally, coaches and mentors’ staff, actively participates in succession and workforce planning.

• As a member of the Statistical Programming Leadership team, actively engages in shaping the department's vision and strategy, even beyond one's direct area of responsibility; challenges status quo and fosters innovation.

• Stays current with regulatory guidance and submission standards.

• Manages team’s headcount and budget; engages with vendors to develop and maintain flexible and cost- effective programming resources.

• Leads departmental and strategic initiative projects; develops and implements long-term and annual strategic and operating objectives for designated areas of responsibility within Statistical Programming

• Actively participates in external industry initiatives; engages with external SP thought leaders and regulatory leaders in areas of mutual interest, including contributing to, organizing, or chairing research sessions at professional meetings.

Education and Minimum Requirement:

Master’s degree in statistics, computer science or closely related field is preferred. The position requires at least 10 years of experience in statistical programming, statistics, or closely related activity in a pharmaceutical development environment and at least 5 years of management experience at the Director level.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Business domain knowledge expertise including statistical analysis and reporting, pharmaceutical development, compliance, analysis software and advanced programming techniques.

• Experience managing or supervising a team of statistical programmers in developing analysis and reporting programming deliverables; experience in recruiting and hiring, performance evaluations, & people development

• Ability to negotiate and work successfully across business domains and cultures; ability to project manage a diverse portfolio of work

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; experience collaborating with statisticians, clinicians, data managers, and regulatory and working in a global environment and communicating with staff in different regions of the world. Experience working with external vendors for resources and software.

• Ability to function effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and to make sound, timely business decisions.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Superior knowledge and prior experience in setting strategy around the development of efficient analysis and reporting deliverables.

• Ability to drive results and deal with complexity and ambiguity.

• Solid experience with reporting processes, regulatory requirements, and software development life cycle

• Proficient in leading teams through technological advancements, evolving standards, changing requirements, and complex priorities.

• Demonstrates a sense of urgency in implementing practical programming solutions that yield impactful results, even in ambiguous circumstances.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work across boundaries as one team

• Excellent project management skills; leadership across multiple and complex programs; determines strategy and ensures consistency and compliance, ability to engage other stakeholders.

• Ability to anticipate stakeholder needs and requirements.

• Experience managing other managers.

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We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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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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