Director, Clin. Operations - Project Management Office (Hybrid)

Job Description Director, Project Management Office (PMO) reports to the Head of Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) Business Operations and is responsible for leading the governance and oversight of the GDMS portfolio of strategic projects. The role ensures initiatives are prioritized and planned in alignment with organizational goals and executed with discipline and transparency. The PMO framework and associated processes—including standardized planning, resource management, governance, and performance oversight—are defined, maintained, and implemented to enable high‑quality project delivery. Responsibilities Proactively engage with stakeholders across GDMS and Global Clinical Trial Operations to ensure aligned intake, business case and resource evaluation, approval, leadership assignment, execution oversight, implementation, and value realization. Define, implement, and maintain the PMO framework and associated processes, including intake, business case development, prioritization, project planning, execution oversight, status reporting, risk identification and management, and decision making. Govern the GDMS project and initiative book of work, prioritizing and sequencing efforts across sub‑functions, managing cross‑vertical dependencies, and aligning the portfolio to strategic priorities and resource capacity. Provide portfolio‑level oversight of all GDMS strategic projects through executive dashboards and reporting capabilities. Leverage program reviews to ensure projects are executed consistently with timeline, resource, and quality expectations. Collaborate with initiative sponsors and leads to ensure efficient use of resources and quantifiable value realization. Establish and implement a GDMS project management framework and toolkit, ensuring a standardized end‑to‑end approach to project delivery across all GDMS initiatives and instituting governance for GDMS project oversight. Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget, implementing consistent tracking, reporting, and escalation processes that provide leadership with visibility into delivery health. Identify, define, track, and report on GDMS‑wide organizational goals and KPIs, including portfolio‑level and project‑specific indicators as defined in project charters. Maintain and continuously improve the GDMS Business Continuity Plan, applying a standard framework with documented processes, defined ownership, and a regular testing cadence. Technical Skills Knowledge of clinical trial operations and clinical data management processes. Proven ability to define and govern large‑scale operational processes and lead cross‑functional global teams. Proficiency in portfolio and resource management tools, metrics, and dashboards to enable enterprise governance and transparency. Experience facilitating governance forums; defining, implementing, and monitoring project health measures; and establishing value realization measurement capabilities. Demonstrated ability to direct, oversee, and mentor PMO and project team members to execute and deliver results consistent with established frameworks and processes. Preferred: PMP Certification. Non‑Technical Skills Demonstrated strategic leadership and ability to influence senior‑level leaders and enterprise stakeholders. Exceptional communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills across global and matrixed environments. Strong conceptual and analytical thinking; able to translate strategy into actionable execution. Demonstrated success driving change and alignment across complex, cross‑functional structures. High resilience, adaptability, and professional maturity in evolving business environments. Fluent in English. Enterprise Leadership Skills Business Savviness: Uses organizational and industry insights to identify trends, assess data management operating practices and performance, evaluate process or operating model changes, and anticipate impacts on delivery, resourcing, and stakeholders. Strategic Planning: Prioritizes activities and assignments by business criticality and reprioritizes work as timelines, risks, and stakeholder needs shift. Influence: Communicates the benefits of proposed changes for individuals, teams, and the organization; tailors the influence approach to stakeholder motivations; uses data and evidence to address likely objections; reinforces key benefits and decisions to confirm understanding. Qualifications & Experience Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, data management, or clinical trial operations; demonstrates deep subject‑matter expertise in project and portfolio management and ability to direct and lead global, cross‑functional teams. Advanced Degree (Master’s or Doctorate) and a minimum of 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, data management, or clinical trial operations; demonstrates deep subject‑matter expertise in project and portfolio management and ability to direct and lead global, cross‑functional teams. Compensation & Benefits Salary range: $173,200.00 – $272,600.00. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and other insurance benefits for employees and families, retirement benefits including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. Equal Employment Opportunity 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. We are a federal contractor and comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Application Information Job posting end date: 06/30/2026. Application deadline is stated on this posting. #J-18808-Ljbffr Merck & Co.