Merck & Co, Inc

Director, Development Project Management (Hybrid)

Merck & Co, Inc$173K — $272K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of project management or leadership experience in R&D
  • Proven track record of managing project resources, timelines, and budgets
  • Ability to influence cross-functional teams and align diverse stakeholders
  • Strong communication skills for framing issues and managing risks
  • Bachelor's degree required; scientific discipline preferred
  • Advanced degree (MS, MBA, PharmD, Ph.D.) and PMP certification preferred

Responsibilities

  • Independently lead complex product development programs across drugs, vaccines, and biologics
  • Ensure alignment and execution across projects, driving strategic decisions and governance
  • Guide teams through decision-making frameworks with limited oversight
  • Anticipate risks and develop effective mitigation strategies
  • Mentor Project Managers on best practices and project leadership
  • Promote consistent use of project management practices for enhanced quality
  • Lead cross-divisional initiatives to improve development processes and team effectiveness

Benefits

  • Hybrid work arrangements allowing flexibility
  • Opportunities for professional development through mentorship
  • Participation in continuous improvement initiatives
  • Engagement in strategic change initiatives
  • Collaboration with cross-functional leaders to impact human health
Full Job Description
Job Description

Global Project and Alliance Management (GPAM) sits within the Research & Development Division (R&D). Development Project Managers in GPAM are core members of development teams, partnering with cross-functional leaders to advance programs that improve human health and deliver business impact.

This Director-level Project Manager role independently leads complex development programs, due diligence efforts, and business development activities across drug, vaccine, and biologics development. In addition to leading assigned programs, the Director provides enterprise leadership that helps shape development strategy, governance outcomes, and organizational effectiveness.

The role is expected to operate with a high degree of independence, seeking leadership input primarily for strategic consultation and alignment. In addition to core program leadership responsibilities, the Director may mentor and coach other Project Managers, support strategic management or governance committees, and lead major change initiatives that improve company, department, or team performance.

Primary Responsibilities:

Management of Product Development Teams (~70%)
  • Independently lead complex product development programs and due diligence efforts, including programs requiring significant experience with drug, vaccine, or biologics development, company processes, and cross-functional governance expectations.
  • Drive alignment, execution, and decision readiness across projects of varying phase, complexity, priority, and alliance-partner involvement. Serve as an enterprise leader, influencing decisions, priorities, and development strategies across functions, governance bodies, and development teams.
  • Operate with limited day-to-day direction, engaging management primarily for strategic consultation, escalation, and alignment on significant decisions or risks. Guide teams through governance processes, organizational decision-making frameworks, and business requirements to enable timely and well-informed decisions.
  • Anticipate risks, identify trade-offs, and help teams develop pragmatic mitigation strategies that enable timely, high-quality governance and development decisions. Challenge assumptions, frame strategic options, and help teams and senior leaders make informed decisions in situations of ambiguity and competing priorities.


Talent Development, Process Improvement, and PM Operational Support (~30%)
  • Mentor and coach Project Managers on development team leadership, team dynamics, functional integration, governance processes, strategic document preparation, and core project management practices.
  • Promote consistent use of project management best practices across development teams to improve execution, transparency, and decision quality.
  • Lead or contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that require product development expertise and a strong understanding of procedures, policies, systems, and team operating models. These initiatives may include improving planning platforms, project management capabilities, team effectiveness, or development processes.
  • Lead cross-divisional work groups and support improvements to processes, tools, and templates that strengthen product development and project management execution. Lead strategic change initiatives that enhance organizational capabilities, project management practices, and development effectiveness across teams and functions.


Education Minimum Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree required; concentration in a scientific-related discipline preferred


Required Experience and Skills:
  • A minimum of 8 years of experience in a project management related or leadership role
  • Demonstrated ability to manage resources, timelines, and budgets effectively; strong business acumen and results orientation
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence without direct authority, and drive alignment across different stakeholders
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to frame issues clearly, raise risks appropriately, and keep teams and leadership informed of project status, decisions, and trade-offs


Preferred Experience and Skills
  • Advanced scientific degree (Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), PharmD, Ph.D.)
  • Project Management Certification (PMP) or formal coursework/training in project management
  • Demonstrated technical understanding of product development and the ability to apply project management expertise to complex development challenges
  • Ability to build effective networks across functions and rapidly establish productive working relationships
  • Proven ability to analyze and integrate complex information, recommend strategic options, contribute to conceptual planning, and lead implementation of strategic, process, team improvement, and change initiatives cross-functionally
  • Effective at energizing others, establishing clear goals, delegating responsibility, and mentoring and coaching in a team setting
  • Demonstrated situational leadership and creative problem-solving skills within departments and teams
  • Ability to understand project details while maintaining a broad view of program objectives, priorities, and strategies
  • Experience supporting planning and execution of strategies for drug or vaccine product registration, commercialization, or life-cycle management from an R&D, manufacturing, or commercial perspective, with demonstrated ability to translate knowledge and expertise across development teams and areas


This position may be based in either Rahway, NJ, or Upper Gwynedd, PA.

GPAMjobs

#VETJOBS

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Clinical Trial Management, Cross-Functional Leadership, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Product Development, Project Management, Project Management Support, Project Management System, Project Schedule, Project Strategy, Results-Oriented, Strategic Management, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:
Drug Development, Drug Product Development, Leadership, Matrix Leadership, Microsoft Project

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:
08/3/2026
*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.

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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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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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