Categories: Pharmaceutical, Clinical Data Management, Automation, Healthcare

Job Description

Working under the guidance of the head of Automation and with Global Clinical Trial Organization (GCTO) functional leaders in the Automation Hub, the Director, Automation is responsible for shaping and managing the strategic automation backlog. Working with the GCTO functional representatives, this role drives the identification, prioritization, and execution of automation opportunities that enhance operational efficiency, data quality, and delivery speed.

As a key leader of the Automation Hub, the role partners with cross-functional teams to align automation initiatives with enterprise goals, resource planning, and innovation roadmaps. The role ensures that automation efforts are governed, measured, and scaled effectively, leveraging frameworks such as Agile, Lean, and digital maturity models. The role also facilitates intake and evaluation of automation ideas, supports business case development, and oversees implementation tracking. This includes coordinating with IT, data science, and vendor partners to ensure seamless integration of digital solutions.

The Director, Automation:

• Program & Project Leadership
  Leads complex workstreams across GCTO, managing cross-functional projects that drive automation, data integrity, and operational excellence driving the decisions to go from idea, implementation through to value realization.

• Cross-Divisional Collaboration
  Partners with internal and external teams—including other divisions, vendors, and agencies—to validate and enhance automation processes and ensure best-in-class data practices.

• Provides leadership and coaching to direct reports. Oversees performance management, career development, and team engagement. Ensures staff are equipped with the skills and support needed to succeed in a dynamic, innovation-driven environment

• Strategic Alignment & Goal Setting
  Collaborates with the Senior Director of Automation to align teams around a shared vision. Develops and executes ambitious yet achievable objectives that directly support GCTO’s strategic priorities.

• Technology & Innovation Leadership
  Maintains deep awareness of emerging trends in automation, AI, and clinical data systems. Provides strategic guidance on tool selection, enhancement, and integration to support scalable innovation.

• Organizational Agility & Change Enablement
  Serves as a key contributor to initiatives focused on agility, change management, and talent development. Supports organizational evolution through structured change frameworks and leadership engagement.

• Continuous Improvement
  Leads or supports special projects aimed at process optimization, efficiency gains, and digital transformation.

• Forecasting & Operational Planning
  Applies algorithmic and data-driven approaches to align functional capacity with demand. Ensures the Book of Business for studies and automation initiatives is delivered with quality and timeliness.

Educational Requirements:

Required:

Bachelor’s degree preferably in life sciences, technology or business operations,

·       Required Experience:

·       10 years of experience in Clinical Trial Operations, Data Management or related biopharmaceutical experience.

·       3 years of experience and demonstrated success in personnel management

Preferred Experience:

·       Successful implementations in partnership with Technical/ IT organizations involving data and technologies including but not limited to data modeling, NLP, and other infrastructures like AWS, Azure etc.

 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

·       A broad knowledge of clinical trial operations

·       Working knowledge of ICH and GCP guidelines

·       Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to communicate with both the technical and business areas.

·       Demonstrated experience in executing strategy and driving implementation through value realization.

·       Measuring and reporting process and organizational metrics, KRI, KQI, OKRs etc.

·       Demonstrate Agile mindset and practical experience with Agile methodologies.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Agile Methodology, Biopharmaceuticals, Book Of Business, Business Case Development, Business Data Analytics, Change Agility, Clinical Data Management, Clinical Informatics, Clinical Trials, Data Analysis, Data Validation, Decision Making, Digital Transformation, eCRF, Ethical Standards, Good Clinical Data Management Practice (GCDMP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Mentoring Staff, Metadata Management, Operational Excellence, Organizational Agility, People Leadership, Program Implementation {+ 4 more}

Preferred Skills:

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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:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

no

Job Posting End Date:

05/31/2026

*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.