Executive Director, Statistical Programming

Job Description Reporting to the Head of Statistical Programming (SP), the Executive Director leads a team of statistical programmers and analysts supporting foundational analysis and reporting tools, including standard code libraries, platforms, processes, training, and the generation and management of clinical schedules for our company's clinical trial pipeline. As a key member of the Statistical Programming Leadership Team, this role serves as a strategic and influential leader, models effective people management, and establishes the team’s strategic and operational objectives. The Executive Director also fosters productive collaboration with stakeholders across Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences, Data Management, IT, Quality, Clinical, and Regulatory Affairs. Primary Responsibilities: Leads the delivery of analysis and reporting tools, processes, platforms, and training for Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences (BARDS) staff supporting all clinical trial phases and therapeutic areas, with a focus on regulatory compliance, quality, and efficiency. Partners with Statistics and Statistical Programming leaders, aligns work to the company scorecard, and collaborates with stakeholders and functional service partners. Manages managers and builds high-performing teams by recruiting, hiring, developing, and evaluating staff; implementing talent management strategies; coaching and mentoring employees; and contributing to succession and workforce planning. Contributes to the broader vision and strategy of the Statistical Programming organization as a member of the leadership team, challenging the status quo, driving innovation, and applying strong business acumen. Maintains current knowledge of regulatory guidance and submission standards. Manages team headcount and budget, and collaborates with vendors and partnership management to maintain flexible and cost-effective programming resources. Leads departmental and strategic initiatives, developing and executing long-term and annual operating objectives for assigned areas within Statistical Programming. Represents the organization externally by participating in industry initiatives and engaging with statistical programming and regulatory thought leaders, including contributing to, organizing, or chairing 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 12 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 Skills and Experience: Deep knowledge of clinical trial operations, statistical analysis and reporting processes, regulatory and industry compliance standards, and the software development lifecycle. Extensive experience leading or managing statistical programming teams responsible for analysis and reporting deliverables, including recruiting, hiring, performance management, and employee development. Strong ability to negotiate and collaborate across business domains and cultures, while managing a broad portfolio of work. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with experience collaborating in a global environment across functions such as statistics, IT, data management, quality, clinical and regulatory affairs. Strong interpersonal and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize, align stakeholders, and lead across boundaries. Experience managing complex, cross-functional programs and ensuring strategic alignment, consistency, and compliance. Experience working with external vendors for resources and software. Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, make sound decisions quickly, and navigate ambiguity effectively. Preferred Skills and Experience: Strong track record of setting strategy for efficient analysis and reporting deliverables and tools. Experience leading teams through technological change, evolving standards, shifting priorities, and complex challenges. Ability to implement practical programming solutions with urgency and impact in ambiguous situations. Experience managing other managers. Required Skills: Clinical Trials Operations, Cross-Functional Leadership, Executive Leadership, Pharmaceutical Industry, Program Management, Project Management, Regulatory Compliance, Reporting Processes, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Statistical Analysis, Statistical Programming, Statistics, Vendor Management 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: 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 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 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 You can apply for this role through (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: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid Shift: Not Indicated Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): n/a Job Posting End Date: 06/13/2026 *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. 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.