Associate Director, Quality Assurance

Job Description Our Research & Development Division QA Clinical Quality (CQ) provides independent assurance that our Company ensures the safety, rights, and well-being of participants, while complying with applicable global regulatory requirements through sound processes, procedures, and strategies for ensuring data integrity in our clinical trials. Primary Responsibilities Prepares, conducts QA audits, including prolonged auditing in China, generates audit reports, communicates results to the relevant QA management and external relevant stakeholders (e.g. Clinical Operations), and interacts with various teams to ensure corrective and preventative actions are taken to bring QA observations to closure as applicable. Collaborate with colleagues in China to understand cultural considerations, responsibilities for work in global studies and local regulations in the China related to GCP and new drug applications. Able to analyze and leverage critical to quality factors to identify potential risks to prepare and perform risk-based audits. GCP routine and directed audits of investigator sites, country offices, suppliers, , third party collaborations and due diligence activities. In alignment with risk assessments and input from Japan/China Lead, support the QALs in the identification of audit substrate in China for scheduling, as appropriate. Ability to travel to/within China; extended stay in country (2-3 weeks per quarter). Travel: 75% - Asia Pacific (China), including ROW as needed. Preferred Facilitates communication and alignment with key stakeholders related to quality events and audit findings. Participate in Significant Quality Issues management for assigned studies, including assessment of potential root causes and remediation (corrective and preventative actions) as deemed appropriate by the QAL. Ensures appropriate and timely escalation of quality issues, including potential misconduct or issues of significant deviation with projects/products, to the QAL and TA Head. Skills Influence/Negotiation - Using effective involvement and persuasion strategies to gain acceptance of ideas and commitment to actions that support specific work outcomes. Ownership and Accountability - Taking ownership; setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed. Execution Excellence - Taking prompt action to accomplish work goals, per compliance standards; taking action to achieve results beyond what is required; being proactive. Networking and Partnerships - Building partnerships; developing and leveraging relationships within and across work groups to achieve results. Coaching and Development- Building self-insight; demonstrating an awareness of own strengths and development needs as well as the impact of own behavior on others; modifying behavior based on self-awareness to improve impact. Talent Growth - Embracing continuous learning; actively identifying new areas for growth; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skills on the job and learning through their application. Education Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) or equivalent preferred. Minimum of 5 years of experience in a relevant field. Required Skills Accountability, Accountability, Action Plan Development, Adaptability, Audit Management, Building Partnerships, Compliance Investigations, Deviation Management, Global Program Development, Impact Analysis, Influencing Skills, Proactive Behavior, Proactive Thinking, Project Leadership, Project Risk Assessments, Quality Assurance Processes, Quality Assurance Systems, Quality Auditing, Quality Oversight, Quality Reporting, Quality Risk Management, Quality Systems Compliance, Regulatory Compliance, Results-Oriented, Setting Performance Standards {+ 2 more} 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. Requirements 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 Salary Range for this role $129,000.00 - $203,100.00 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. Benefits 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 Travel Requirements 75% Flexible Work Arrangements Remote Shift 1st - Day Valid Driving License No Hazardous Material(s) N/A Job Posting End Date 10/12/2026 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 VISA Sponsorship No #J-18808-Ljbffr Merck