Associate Director Study Manager (Hybrid)
Merck
June 25, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Role Overview:
The Associate Director Study Manager leads the operational planning, execution, and delivery of one or more global clinical trials. Ensures high-quality study conduct, drives timelines, manages risks, and coordinates across internal and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead operational planning, feasibility assessment, and execution of assigned clinical trials
- Serve as the Clinical Trial Team (CTT) Lead and provide cross-functional leadership
- Drive study strategy, operational reviews, and risk identification and mitigation planning
- Collaborate with internal teams, country organizations, and external partners (e.g., CROs, vendors)
- Oversee study timelines, key deliverables, and execution milestones
- Provide operational input into clinical trial documents (protocols, plans, reports)
- Lead governance interactions (senior management updates and cross-functional meetings)
- Coach, mentor, and develop junior staff; may serve as a subject matter expert
- Contribute to process improvements
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field (required)
- Advanced degree (preferred)
Experience:
- Bachelor’s + minimum 9 years OR Master’s + minimum 6 years OR PhD/PharmD + minimum 2 years clinical development experience
Required Skills:
- Strong knowledge of ICH/GCP and clinical research regulatory requirements
- Ability to lead global, cross-functional clinical trial teams
- Project management, planning, and execution skills; manage competing priorities
- Advanced problem-solving and risk management
- Stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
- Excellent written/verbal communication
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in global clinical trial environments
- Vendor/CRO oversight experience
- Immunology or relevant therapeutic area experience
- Experience leading cross-functional governance and decision-making forums
Application Instructions:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub for current employees). Application deadline is stated on the posting.
The Associate Director Study Manager leads the operational planning, execution, and delivery of one or more global clinical trials. Ensures high-quality study conduct, drives timelines, manages risks, and coordinates across internal and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead operational planning, feasibility assessment, and execution of assigned clinical trials
- Serve as the Clinical Trial Team (CTT) Lead and provide cross-functional leadership
- Drive study strategy, operational reviews, and risk identification and mitigation planning
- Collaborate with internal teams, country organizations, and external partners (e.g., CROs, vendors)
- Oversee study timelines, key deliverables, and execution milestones
- Provide operational input into clinical trial documents (protocols, plans, reports)
- Lead governance interactions (senior management updates and cross-functional meetings)
- Coach, mentor, and develop junior staff; may serve as a subject matter expert
- Contribute to process improvements
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field (required)
- Advanced degree (preferred)
Experience:
- Bachelor’s + minimum 9 years OR Master’s + minimum 6 years OR PhD/PharmD + minimum 2 years clinical development experience
Required Skills:
- Strong knowledge of ICH/GCP and clinical research regulatory requirements
- Ability to lead global, cross-functional clinical trial teams
- Project management, planning, and execution skills; manage competing priorities
- Advanced problem-solving and risk management
- Stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
- Excellent written/verbal communication
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in global clinical trial environments
- Vendor/CRO oversight experience
- Immunology or relevant therapeutic area experience
- Experience leading cross-functional governance and decision-making forums
Application Instructions:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub for current employees). Application deadline is stated on the posting.