Job Description
The Executive Director Chief of Staff is a senior strategic partner to the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Translational Medicine Discovery Oncology & Biomarkers. This role drives strategy execution operational excellence and cross-functional alignment across Translational Medicine (TMed) Discovery Oncology and Biomarkers. The Chief of Staff acts with a high degree of autonomy on behalf of the SVP ensuring clear priorities effective governance and delivery against organizational goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Advisory
Serve as strategic advisor and thought partner to the SVP; provide evidence-based recommendations risk/benefit analysis and input on key decisions.
Function as a cross-enterprise integrator aligning senior stakeholders across DPTM GPAM GCD and other partners to deliver on portfolio and organizational objectives.
Identify prioritize and mobilize cross-functional initiatives that improve quality speed simplicity and cost.
Strategy Execution Planning & Governance
Track and drive delivery of goals and priorities for TMed Discovery Oncology and Biomarkers; ensure visibility to progress risks and mitigations.
Lead annual and mid-year planning processes including goal-setting scorecard contributions and program reviews.
Design and run effective leadership governance (LT meetings staff meetings town halls) including agenda setting pre-read preparation decision tracking and follow-up.
Ensure timely clear communication of strategies priorities and decisions across the organizations.
Operational Excellence & Business Performance
Lead the operational excellence and optimization agenda for the departments simplifying processes and removing barriers to execution.
Develop maintain and interpret business analytics dashboards and KPIs to inform decision-making and measure performance.
Partner with Finance and HR on headcount planning budgeting and productivity/financial efficiency initiatives.
Oversee Business Continuity planning and related risk mitigation activities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Network Leadership
Strengthen and manage collaborations with DPTM GPAM GCD and other internal stakeholders to ensure coordinated planning and execution.
Partner with Chiefs of Staff and operations leaders across the network to share best practices and align on enterprise ways of working.
Own and optimize collaboration tools and team sites (content structure governance) for TMed Discovery Oncology and Biomarkers.
People Culture & Capability
Promote a collaborative inclusive and high-performing culture aligned with company values.
Oversee training curricula and act as triage point for new policies and procedures ensuring appropriate adoption and compliance.
Encourage knowledge sharing continuous improvement and innovation across sites and functions.
Education & Experience (Minimum)
Bachelors degree and 15 years of relevant experience or
Masters degree and 13 years of relevant experience or
Ph.D. or doctorate and 11 years of relevant experience
Required Experience and Skills:
Proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional teams in a complex matrixed environment.
Strong judgment and decision-making skills; able to operate autonomously in ambiguous and rapidly changing contexts.
Demonstrated experience leading strategic initiatives operational excellence efforts and/or cost and productivity programs.
Exceptional organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities and drive to closure.
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear messages and recommendations.
Demonstrated change leadership and ability to build buy-in for new ways of working.
Experience working effectively across geographies and cultures; comfortable leading through influence rather than direct authority.
High degree of initiative ownership and sense of urgency; acts with courage and candor.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
Background in program or project management.
Experience in multiple industry settings (e.g. large pharma small pharma biotech).
Familiarity with Translational Medicine Discovery Oncology and Biomarkers or ability to rapidly develop this understanding.
Required Skills:
Communication Cross-Functional Collaboration Cross-Functional Team Leadership Influence Operational Excellence Professional Networking Strategic Execution Strategic LeadershipPreferred Skills:
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U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5 2023 employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week Monday - Thursday although the specific days may vary by site or organization with Friday designated as a remote-working day unless business critical tasks require an on-site Hybrid work model does not apply to and daily in-person attendance is required for field-based positions; facility-based manufacturing-based or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as remote.
The salary range for this role is
$190800.00 - $300300.00This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees 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 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
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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:
RegularRelocation:
DomesticVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
10%Flexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
1st - DayValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
N/AJob Posting End Date:
03/3/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more