Executive Director, Clinical Science, Infectious Disease & Vaccines

Job Description Brief Description of Position The Executive Director, Clinical Science is a senior leader within Non-Oncology Clinical Development responsible for providing strategic, scientific, operational, and people leadership across a portfolio of infectious diseases and vaccines programs spanning multiple stages of development. Reporting to the Head of Clinical Science Non-Oncology, this role serves as a member of the 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 organization of Clinical Scientists supporting infectious diseases and vaccines 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, & other key partner functions. The Executive Director influences across organizational boundaries to align priorities, integrate diverse 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, & assets. Provide strategic oversight for a portfolio of infectious diseases and vaccines assets across multiple stages of development. Partner with ID and Vaccines Therapeutic Area Heads and leaders across Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, & 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, & lifecycle management activities. Apply Clinical Science expertise to inform therapeutic area and portfolio strategy across evolving science, treatment trends, competitive landscape, & regulatory considerations. Optimize allocation of Clinical Science resources & associated budgets across a complex & evolving portfolio to align with business priorities & organizational objectives. Serve as a senior escalation point for scientific, & resource-related issues, enabling effective & timely resolution. Clinical Science Excellence Establish and sustain high standards for scientific rigor, clinical science quality, medical data review, study oversight, & regulatory readiness across the portfolio. Drive consistency in clinical science practices, study execution, & data interpretation across therapeutic areas & development programs. Foster a culture of proactive risk identification, mitigation, inspection readiness, & continuous quality improvement. Advance innovative approaches to medical data review, signal detection, study oversight, & evidence-based decision-making that enhance development outcomes. Innovation, AI, and Digital Transformation Champion adoption of AI-enabled, digital, & technology-driven capabilities that enhance Clinical Science productivity, quality, efficiency, & effectiveness. Contribute to identifying opportunities to leverage advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, & digital solutions to improve decision-making, strengthen study oversight, & streamline workflows. Drive modernization of clinical data review through innovative approaches that enhance insight generation & support timely, informed decisions. Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, continuous learning, & responsible implementation of emerging technologies. Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to define, develop, & implement scalable capabilities that support future organizational needs & long-term business success. People Leadership & Talent Development Lead, coach, & develop a high-performing Clinical Science organization. Build organizational capability through talent planning, succession management, leadership development, & career growth strategies. Create an inclusive environment that promotes engagement, psychological safety, accountability, collaboration, & continuous development. Develop future leaders by mentoring Clinical Scientists, strengthening scientific, strategic, & leadership capabilities across the organization. Ensure leaders are equipped to provide effective coaching, feedback, performance development, & career support for their teams. Organizational Leadership Contribute to the development and execution of Clinical Science strategy, priorities, & long-term organizational objectives. Lead initiatives related to organizational design, workforce planning, & resource optimization to support evolving portfolio & business needs. Develop & implement scalable operating models that balance portfolio execution, organizational effectiveness, employee development, & talent retention. Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve efficiency, effectiveness, innovation, & organizational health. Represent Clinical Science in governance forums, leadership discussions, & strategic planning activities. Shape functional & enterprise priorities through leadership engagement, cross-functional partnerships, & influence across organizational boundaries. Qualifications, Skills & Experience 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 & 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 & accountability for required actions and outputs, as well as the direction & authority to act in a way consistent with organizational values. Leverage environmental supports & remove development barriers; advocate for individuals to higher levels of management to create development opportunities; provide guidance & positive models; seek suggestions for improving performance; collaboratively create development plans that include activities targeted to specific goals. Create momentum by taking immediate action & encouraging others to take action to improve organizational culture, processes or products/services; offer resources & direction to support implementation; break down cultural & operational barriers to change; recognize & reward those who contribute to change efforts. Education Advanced scientific or healthcare degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD) with at least 10 years of drug development experience; OR Master’s degree, preferably in a life sciences-related field, with at least 15 years of drug development experience. Experience Significant experience in drug development with demonstrated success across multiple phases of clinical development. Deep expertise in Clinical Science, Clinical Development, & execution of global clinical programs. Experience supporting regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, & late-stage development activities. Proven leadership experience managing in large, matrixed organizations through multiple levels of management. Demonstrated success developing talent, building leadership capability, & creating high-performing teams. Familiarity with, or interest in emerging AI, advanced analytics, & digital capabilities applicable to clinical development. Experience in infectious diseases and/or vaccine development strongly preferred. Required Skills Advanced Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Clinical Development, Clinical Sciences, Cross-Functional Leadership, Drug Development, Executive Leadership, Global Clinical Studies, Infectious Disease, Innovation, Matrix Leadership, Regulatory Submissions, Strategic Leadership, Talent Development. Preferred Skills Mandatory references to mandating Korean livestock compulsory compulsory compulsory mandatory compulsory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory Employment & Background 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. 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 & individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills & backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, & 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 & other US State Acts Salary & Benefits 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, & 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. Employment Status & Working Arrangements 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 Location & Travel Location UG/RY/Boston/South San Francisco Extent of Travel 0-25% Job Posting End Date 08/24/2026 Company Overview Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare. #J-18808-Ljbffr MSD Malaysia