Executive Director, Chief of Staff, Global Clinical Trial Operations
Merck · North Wales (upper Gwynedd), PA +1 more
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Role summary
Senior strategic role supporting the SVP of Global Clinical Trial Operations at Merck. The Executive Director, Chief of Staff drives transformation and operational excellence by translating enterprise priorities into execution, strengthening governance, modernizing ways of working through AI and digital capabilities, and ensuring alignment across complex, regulated clinical trial operations.
What they're looking for
- Bachelor's degree with 10+ years clinical trial delivery experience, or Master's with 8+ years, or Ph.D./doctorate with 6+ years
- Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment in complex, matrixed, regulated environments
- Demonstrated experience leading strategic initiatives, transformation, operational excellence, and simplification programs end-to-end
- Strong digital and AI leadership with experience applying enterprise-approved AI, automation, and analytics to modernize clinical trial delivery
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills managing multiple priorities with ability to drive closure
- Excellent verbal and written communication with ability to synthesize complex information into clear executive materials
- Strong change leadership and global collaboration skills to influence adoption across geographies and reporting lines
What you'll be doing
- Partner with SVP and Leadership Team to translate priorities into execution plans, measurable outcomes, and operating rhythms
- Lead annual priority setting, goal tracking, risk mitigation planning, and senior leadership reporting for GCTO strategic initiatives
- Design and facilitate leadership governance forums, business reviews, and decision meetings with clear accountability and follow-through
- Drive modernization of clinical trial operations through simplification, quality by design, and responsible AI and digital capabilities
- Act as cross-enterprise integrator aligning priorities and resources across GCTO, R&D, Finance, HR, IT, and other functions
Privacy & handoff
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