Merck & Co, Inc

Associate Director, Business Development, Discovery Transactions

Merck & Co, Inc$156K — $247K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in science/law; advanced degree preferred
  • Minimum of 5 years experience in contract negotiation
  • Understanding of basic and clinical science and biotech/pharma business
  • Solid grasp of the drug development process
  • Demonstrates collaborative skills with internal and external partners

Responsibilities

  • Transact agreements to advance research collaboration
  • Engage with universities and biotech to support key objectives
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure compliant transactions
  • Demonstrate leadership and encourage transparency in team interactions
  • Drive results through performance standards and accountability
  • Stay informed on legal compliance and ethics
  • Participate in relevant professional organizations for ongoing development

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and other insurance benefits
  • Retirement savings plan including 401(k)
  • Paid time off for holidays, vacation, and sick leave
  • Access to annual bonus and long-term incentives
  • Supportive of flexible work arrangements
Full Job Description

Job Description

Brief Description of Position

  • Transact Globally to Provide Business Support to our company's Research Laboratories; Work with our company's Research Laboratories, internal partners, and global external collaborators to draft, negotiate and execute a variety of agreement types to further the knowledge, pipeline and reputation of our company.

  • Advance discovery research via engagement and collaboration with universities, government, not-for-profits, biotech and pharma to support our company's Research Laboratories key objectives and programs, provide access to critical assets, reagents, technologies, access externalinnovation, and protect our company's intellectual property.

  • Effectively work cross-functionally and collaboratively with Discovery Transaction colleagues, Corporate Legal, Patent Legal, Research Procurement, Sourcing, our company's Research Laboratories Finance, Clinical Global Agreements Management, Compliance, Discovery Operations, Privacy Office, and our company's Research Laboratories stakeholders and management to transact Agreements in support of our company's Research Laboratories projects to ensure Freedom to Operate and protect our company's Intellectual Property (IP).

  • Actively listen and seek to understand differing perspectives. Show leadership by working together to achieve common goals. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure transparency.

  • Speak openly, honestly and with conviction; have the courage to take appropriate risks and make difficult decisions.

  • Adhere to the highest standards of trustworthy and ethical behavior in all interactions and hold others to the same standards; comply with all laws, policies, and regulations; identify and address ethical issues without hesitation.

  • Work with LKR team to utilize SAP/COMET as appropriate for funded agreements and toAdd vendors and enter contracts into SAP as needed. Capture SAP payment information in LKR records and Midas Memos.

  • Adhere to all our company's policies on expenses and expense reporting. If a manager, follow U.S. Managers Policies.

  • Contribute to our company's Research Laboratories transformation efforts through communicating our company's vision and reinforcing our company's cultural attributes (ethics and integrity, respect and candor, scientific excellence and ROI, and confidence and humility).

  • Within BD&L: Support transformation goals of decreasing cycle time, increasing productivity, and increasing employee engagement.

  • Develop prioritized cross-franchise lists of early space academic and biotech collaborations in support of our company's Research Laboratories objectives.

  • Execute or enable Discovery Transaction Managers (both TMs and DTMs) to execute, non-exclusive or patent licenses, study agreements, evaluation agreements, MTAs, consulting agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and research collaboration agreements in support of our company's Research Laboratories objectives.

  • Make timely, rapid and disciplined decisions at the appropriate level with the relevant data and support them once made. Be aware of our company's Policies and Grants of Authority. Alert BD&L management to major upcoming decision points in agreements.

  • Drive Results by setting clear performance standards; overcoming obstacles; holding ourselves and others accountable for achieving results.

  • Participate in Discovery Transactions once monthly Senior Staff meetings, Best Practices meetings, and every other week face to face meetings with Direct Reports. Encourage and emulate collaboration and a Team environment within the DT group.

  • Continue active participation and membership in Licensing Executive Society (LES) , University-Industry Development Partnership (UIDP) and Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM).

  • Maintain and encourage others to maintain LES CLP certificate

  • Provide visible leadership to our company's Research Laboratories clients about compliance and applicable laws and regulations.

  • Memorialize all interactions in LKR to ensure internal compliance. Follow written guidelines for all LKR documentation for agreements. Enter appropriate descriptions such that report generated from LKR needs no further editing. Follow all BD&L processes for review, approval, and documentation of licensing opportunities.

  • Provide input to the LKR re-platforming team as appropriate to ensure that improvement of the RFA process is highlighted and the requirements of the DTMs and TMs are met.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

  • Bachelors in science/law; advanced degree preferred.

  • Minimum of 5 years experience in contract negotiation with a fundamental understanding of legal concepts and contract terminology.

  • Understanding of basic and clinical science, as well as academic, biotech and pharma business.

  • Solid understanding of the drug development process and enterprise-wide strategic initiatives.

  • Strong and demonstrable history of working collegially and constructively with internal partners and external collaborators.

Required Skills:

Business Development, Contract Agreements, Contract Negotiations, Contractual Drafting, Developing Proposals, Drug Discovery Research, Due Diligence, Licensing, Pharmaceutical Industry, Transaction Management

Preferred Skills:

Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Licensing, Patent Licensing

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

The salary range for this role is

$156,900.00 - $247,000.00

This 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 https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (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 Angeless Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

09/4/2026

*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.

About Merck & Co, Inc

Schering-Plough Corporation is a major U.S.-based manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. It operates in three segments: Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Consumer Health Care. Schering-Plough develops products targeting on allergy, cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory system, and more.  It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. Schering-Plough manufactured several pharmaceutical drugs, the most well-known of which were the allergy drugs Claritin and Clarinex, an anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin, and a brain tumor drug Temodar. It also developed drugs targeting on central nervous system and the respiratory system. Schering Plough also owned and operated the major foot care brand name Dr. Scholl's and the skin care line Coppertone. These also became a part of the new company. Schering-Plough was a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a membership which is also maintained by the new Merck.

Merck & Co, Inc Careers

Join the visionary team at Merck & Co, Inc, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing the world of medicine. As part of our professional community, you'll find dynamic job opportunities that foster innovation and leadership across various fields. Merck & Co, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can make a difference.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck & Co, Inc, we are committed to improving global health through groundbreaking research and innovative healthcare solutions. Our team is at the forefront of developing new therapies and vaccines that significantly impact public health worldwide. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to contribute to projects that save and improve lives around the globe.

Explore Career Paths

Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a professional position, Merck & Co, Inc offers a range of career paths in environments that promote rapid professional growth and development. Explore job opportunities in research, digital transformation, manufacturing, and more, all while benefiting from a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

Innovate and Lead

Merck & Co, Inc is an ideal environment for those who lead with curiosity and the drive to innovate. Our leadership is committed to fostering a culture where inventive thinking and collaboration are encouraged, making it a perfect place for professionals who seek to make an impact through their work.

Develop Your Skills

With Merck & Co, Inc, you are not just getting a job; you're gaining access to unparalleled career development opportunities. Enhance your skills through diverse training programs, workshops, and continuous learning courses designed to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Benefits and Culture

We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family. From comprehensive health care coverage and retirement plans to flexible working conditions and wellness programs, our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career at Merck & Co, Inc? Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that's dedicated to making a difference.

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Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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