Merck & Co, Inc

Associate Director, Change Management

Merck & Co, Inc$142K — $224K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred in a business or pharma-related field
  • 5-10+ years of experience in change management or digital transformation in Pharma/Biotech
  • Proven experience in leading large-scale, cross-functional change initiatives
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and influence skills with senior leadership
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute adoption and communication strategies
  • Experience in program delivery environments with integrated governance processes
  • Excellent communication skills, including executive storytelling and presentation development

Responsibilities

  • Lead development of integrated change management strategies across DDT programs
  • Partner with leadership and workstream leads to align change strategy with program objectives
  • Drive stakeholder engagement, assessing impact and planning readiness
  • Establish and lead a change agent network to support adoption
  • Define and execute communication and training strategies to foster behavior change
  • Track adoption metrics, assessing risks and resistance for sustained change
  • Support post-go-live activities with reinforcement and continuous improvement

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment
  • Opportunities for professional development
  • Involvement in a high-impact digital transformation portfolio
  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams
  • Potential to influence organizational effectiveness and strategy
Full Job Description
Job Description

Associate Director, Change Management

The Associate Director, Change Management will lead the people and adoption strategy for DDT's digital transformation portfolio, ensuring successful implementation and sustained use of digital capabilities, governance processes, and new ways of working.

This role partners with DDT leadership, program teams, and functional stakeholders to drive engagement, readiness, adoption, and value realization, embedding change management within program delivery and governance structures.

The Associate Director, Change Management will:
  • Lead development and execution of integrated change management strategies across DDT programs and use cases
  • Partner with DDT Leadership Team, workstream leads, and use case owners to align change strategy with program objectives and value realization
  • Drive stakeholder engagement, including impact assessments, readiness planning, and sponsor alignment
  • Establish and lead a change agent / champion network to support adoption across DSCS
  • Define and execute communications and training strategies to support awareness, understanding, and behavior change
  • Track adoption metrics, risks, and resistance, implementing mitigation actions to ensure sustained adoption
  • Support post-go-live activities including reinforcement strategies, hypercare, and continuous improvement
  • Provide coaching and guidance to program teams and sponsors on change management best practices
  • Drive alignment between change strategy, communications, training, and delivery teams to ensure integrated execution


Knowledge, Duties & Responsibilities Include:
  • Develop and maintain change impact assessments across people, process, and technology dimensions building out the necessary details within the project schedule.
  • Establish stakeholder engagement strategies, including sponsor spine and governance alignment
  • Design and implement communication and engagement plans tailored to multiple audiences (executive, functional, end-user)
  • Partner with Learning & Development to define training strategy and enable capability building across teams
  • Ensure consistent application of change management frameworks, tools, and templates across DDT initiatives
  • Monitor adoption, engagement, and behavior change using defined KPIs and feedback loops
  • Identify risks to adoption and implement mitigation strategies to reduce resistance and accelerate uptake
  • Develop executive-ready materials, including presentations, talking points, and change updates
  • Facilitate workshops and alignment sessions across cross-functional teams
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of DDT change management practices and playbooks


Qualifications

Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent) preferred in business or pharma related field


Required Experience and Skills:
  • 5-10+ years of experience in change management, digital transformation, or organizational effectiveness within Pharma/Biotech.
  • Proven experience leading large-scale, cross-functional change initiatives
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and influence skills across senior leadership and global teams
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute adoption, communication, and training strategies
  • Experience working in program delivery environments with integrated governance and stage-gate processes
  • Strong business acumen and ability to align change efforts to measurable business outcomes
  • Excellent communication skills, including executive storytelling and presentation development
  • Demonstrated ability to coach leaders and teams on change management practices
  • Experience working in complex, matrixed organizations


Preferred Skills:
  • Experience in process development
  • Familiarity with digital and data platforms (analytics, automation, data foundation)
  • Experience supporting hub-and-spoke operating models
  • Knowledge of change methodologies (e.g., Prosci, CEM, SRF)
  • Experience building and scaling change networks


Required Skills:

Change Management, Digital Transformation, Stakeholder Engagement, Communications Strategy, Training & Capability Building, Adoption Strategy, Governance Integration, Change Impact Assessment, Cross-Functional Leadership, Program Support, Executive Communication, Organizational Change, Continuous Improvement, Data-Driven Decision Making

Preferred Skills:

Change Frameworks (Prosci, CEM, SRF), Pharmaceutical R&D, Data & Digital Platforms, Automation & Workflow, Portfolio Management, Value Realization

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Automation, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Chemical Engineering, Customer-Focused, Data-Driven Decision Making, Digital Platforms, Digital Transformation, Drug Product Development, Estimation and Planning, Executive Communications, Financial Management, Manufacturing Quality Control, Mitigation, Organizational Effectiveness, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Portfolio Management, Portfolio Risk Management, Process Control Automation, Process Optimization, Product Formulation, Safety Compliance, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Management {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:
07/8/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the 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.

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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.

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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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