Executive Director, Asset Development Team Leader
Rahway, NJ - USA
Job Summary
Job Description
The Executive Director has the primary responsibility for strategy oversight and delivery of end-to-end activities involving new or marketed drug(s) for oncology indications. The Executive Director leads the team responsible for the cross-functional delivery of critical milestones in an oncology assets lifecycle spanning discovery through reimbursement integrating the scientific commercial and manufacturing aspects critical to delivering clinically beneficial medicines to the right patients. The key to success is bearing the primary responsibility for developing aligning executing and communicating the overall asset strategy.
Specifically the Executive Director may be responsible for:
Creation alignment execution and adaptation of the asset strategy cross-functionally
Lead the asset development team to maximize the assets potential
Identifying registrational opportunities for pre-clinical and early clinical candidates which have potential to become medicines
Evaluating pre-clinical and translational work for the purpose of strategizing early clinical development plan and Investigational New Drug applications in context of potential registration
Working with relevant clinical teams to develop clinical development strategies for investigational or marketed assets that incorporate the latest scientific developments regulatory requirements the competitive landscape and commercial considerations
Prioritizing clinical trials (design operational plans settings) based on these clinical development strategies for what is optimal for the asset in the context of internal and external factors
Support asset specific biomarker strategy and diagnostic readiness
Support asset specific safety management such as safety governance meetings dose adjustments supportive care optimization
Leading development and communication of the messaging around the asset and the asset strategy
Lead interactions with governance to secure alignment and support for asset development
Participation in internal and joint internal/ external research project teams relevant to the development of new compounds and the further study of marketed compounds and support of business development assessments of external opportunities.
The Executive Director may manage other Directors and/or Senior Directors on the asset development team
Mentoring and career development for direct reports (when applicable) will be a key function of the role.
To accomplish these goals the Executive Director may:
Work across teams and functions internally and/or externally (i.e. via collaborations)
Manage a complex matrix of internal stakeholders within clinical development (i.e. across existing PDTs and TAs) and across functions
Travel on company business about twenty (20) percent of the time to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects.
Education:
M.D. or MD/PhD with experience in oncology
Board certified or board eligible in hematology medical oncology radiation oncology surgical oncology or related disciplines preferred; candidates with an equivalent combination of medical training and experience will be considered.
Required Experience and Skills:
Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in drug development in a relevant therapeutic area
Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience
Has designed executed and reported out phase 3 or registrational studies; has supported or led submission activities for labels supported in post approval launch readiness such as publication planning guideline submission HTA negotiations.
Experience navigating a matrixed structure including shepherding studies/concepts through internal governance boards
Expertise as clinical lead for interactions with regulatory agencies. Experience preferred for the following: dose justification; phase 3 design; BLA/sBLA global submissions and diagnostic use
Experience and understanding of asset and org needs for commercialization and reimbursement of approved medicines
Understanding the impact of drug manufacturing parameters on drug development execution
Management of external Key Opinion Leaders in Clinical Development and Medical Affairs activities
Strong interpersonal skills as well as the ability to function in a team environment are essential
High level of verbal and written communication including presentation skills.
Strong learning agility and growth mindset
Experience with multiple modalities of therapies (biologics small molecules etc.)
Required Skills:
Clinical Development Clinical Investigations Clinical Judgment Clinical Research Clinical Trial Planning Cross-Cultural Awareness Drug Development Leadership Professional Networking Regulatory Requirements Results-Oriented 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
$310900.00 - $489400.00This 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:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
04/30/2026*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:
Director
About Company
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