Executive Director, Business Operations

Job Description

The Executive Director, Business Operations oversees strategic business transformation efforts and coordinates the execution of cross-functional global business operations processes to enable the effective management of the Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) organization in alignment with GDMS and broader organizational goals. 

Under the direction of the Head of GDMS, the Executive Director sets the vision for the organization and establishes the global business operations framework.  In partnership with the GDMS senior leadership team and organizational stakeholders, coordinates delivery of services including headcount management; resource forecasting and algorithm management; budget and expense management; financial forecasting; operations reviews; strategic project coordination; change management; communications; and professional development.

Additional responsibilities of the Head of Business Operations include:

• Leads topic curation and orchestration of senior leadership team meetings and other GDMS forums including global townhalls and Data Management Center (DMC) site visits, ensuring strategic relevance, engagement, and productive outcomes

• Serves as a cross-functional integrator, ensuring tracking and status reporting for GDMS objectives to drive alignment, risk management, and execution against strategic priorities

• Maintains and facilitates the reporting of GDMS Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and Key Quality Indicators (KQI) as part of formal operations reviews

• Develops of strategies to enhance organizational value and efficiency

• Leads talent development and performance management activities for Business Operations with a focus on building a high-performing team and fostering a culture of growth and development

• Proactively engages with stakeholders to identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement

• Sponsors and/or leads organizational initiatives

Enterprise Leadership Skills – behaviors and impact expected in this role include: 

• Strategic Planning: Thinks strategically and gains alignment through collaborative stakeholder engagement and influence across development, clinical operations, support functions, and IT

• Execution Excellence: Drives reliable, high‑quality delivery by establishing end‑to‑end processes and data driven measurement approaches to track progress and effectiveness of outcomes

• Change Catalyst: Sponsors and drives change.  Energizes teams through clear, compelling communication at all levels.  

• Networking & Partnerships: Proactively builds and sustains strategic internal and external relationships (cross‑functional leaders, stakeholders, technology vendors, and service suppliers)

Educational Requirements:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, operations management, business analytics, or a related discipline.

• Preferred: Master’s degree in business, operations management, business analytics or a related discipline

• Preferred: Advanced training or certification in clinical research and/or data management relevant disciplines including, but not limited to: Association of Clinical Research Professional (ACRP) certification; SCDM Clinical Data Manager (CCDM) certification; Lean Six Sigma; or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification 

Required Experience and Skills:

• Clinical Data Management & Operations Experience: 15+ years in clinical data management and operations within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry with Bachelor’s degree, or 13+ years with Master’s degree

• Organization Leadership & Management Experience: 10+ years in progressive leadership roles managing operations in clinical data management or clinical operations functions, including resourcing and budget management

• 10+ years of experience and demonstrated success in personnel management, including direct line management of managers and functional leaders in a matrixed, global organization 

• Stakeholder Management Experience: 7+ years proven track record directly managing stakeholder partnerships to enable successful operations delivery and support (ex. FSPs, technology, support services)

• Process Design & Implementation Experience: Demonstrated experience designing and implementing cross-functional, global operational processes and frameworks    

• Knowledge of full CDM lifecycle: data collection and validation design, data capture, data cleaning and reconciliation, database lock, and study close out 

• Familiarity with applicable regulations (ICH E6 R3, 21 CFR Part 11) 

• Ability to translate strategy into scalable, global, operational frameworks and processes

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation abilities with a pragmatic approach to balancing timelines, quality, and cost 

• High integrity and a compliance-focused mindset 

• Ability to convert complex technical concepts into clear, concise, and actionable communications for nontechnical executives and cross-functional stakeholders. 

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills that can be deployed across all levels of the organization 

Required Skills:

Budget Management, Business Operations, Clinical Data Management, Clinical Data Standards, Clinical Operations, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Executive Leadership, Matrix Leadership, Project Management, Regulatory Governance, Risk Management, Strategic Leadership, Strategic Management, Strategic Planning

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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 click here 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:

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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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

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

$231,900.00 - $365,000.00

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

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:

No relocation

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:

03/17/2026

*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.