BristolMyers Squibb

Executive Director, Global Medical Operations

BristolMyers Squibb$257K — $311K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Degree in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Clinical Research, or related field.
  • 12+ years of experience in pharmaceutical/biotech industry, including drug development and medical study operations.
  • 3-5 years in an ED-equivalent or enterprise leadership role with accountability for building operational organizations.
  • Proven ability to build operational models from scratch in complex organizations.
  • Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, GCP, ICH guidelines, and country-specific study requirements.

Responsibilities

  • Own the enterprise-wide operational strategy for medical study execution across therapeutic areas.
  • Define and establish the organizational architecture for MEG Operations.
  • Architect a medical-specific operational framework distinct from drug development.
  • Design adaptable operational frameworks for different study modalities.
  • Identify talent gaps and partner with HR to elevate team capabilities.
  • Ensure scalability of the operational model to meet evolving evidence generation priorities.
  • Implement robust governance frameworks to ensure regulatory and compliance standards are met.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefit plans including wellbeing support and financial protection benefits.
  • Flexible Time Off (FTO) for U.S.-based exempt employees, with no set accrual limit.
  • 11 paid company holidays each year.
  • Additional time-off benefits like paid sick leave and volunteer days.
  • Opportunity for an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Full Job Description

The Executive Director of Global MEG Operations will serve as the operational architect delivering BMS's Medical Evidence Generation enterprise, responsible for building a fit-for-purpose operational model designed specifically around the needs and nature of medical studies across all therapeutic areas, including oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular disease, and neuroscience.  

This is a builder role. The leader will lead an organization of approximately 50 and will be expected to assess the current state, redesign the organizational structure, clarify roles and accountabilities, and ensure the team is equipped to execute BMS's medical evidence generation portfolio at scale and with excellence.   The role will require a leader who has previously built and scaled operational organizations from the ground up in complex, matrixed, global pharmaceutical or biotechnology environments and can bring that proven expertise to bear immediately. 

Critically, this model must be purpose-built for medical — not adapted from drug development. While development trials are designed to satisfy regulatory bodies and support product approval, medical studies serve a different purpose: generating evidence that informs clinical practice, supports medical education, and deepens understanding of disease and treatment in real-world settings. This distinction creates meaningful flexibility in how medical studies are designed and operationalized, and this leader must understand and leverage that flexibility to build a model that truly fits the work across BMS's full portfolio.

The ED of MEG Operations will ensure operational excellence across the full study lifecycle — from budget conception, feasibility, and timeline planning through site activation, data collection, monitoring, and study closeout. This leader reports to the SVP and Head of Medical Evidence Generation, Managed Access Programs & Real-World Evidence and serves as a core member of the MEG, MAP & RWE Leadership Team.

Responsibilities

1. Organizational Design & Capability Building (Priority One)

  • Own the enterprise-wide operational strategy for medical study execution across BMS's full portfolio — oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular disease, and neuroscience — ensuring the operational model is built to serve the full diversity of evidence generation needs across the organization

  • Define and own the organizational architecture for MEG Operations — establishing the right structure, roles, levels, and accountability model for the team responsible for day-to-day study execution

  • Architect a medical-specific operational framework that is deliberately distinct from the drug development model — built around the flexibility, creativity, and evidence-focused nature of medical studies rather than the regulatory-prescribed pathways that govern development trials

  • Design adaptable operational frameworks tailored to each study modality — interventional, observational/non-interventional, and externally sponsored — recognizing that each requires a different operational approach, governance structure, and level of sponsor oversight

  • Identify talent gaps and partner with HR to address under-resourced areas and elevate capability where roles have been too junior for the complexity of the work

  • Ensure the model scales with BMS's evolving medical portfolio and can flex as new evidence generation priorities emerge

2. Governance, Compliance & Regulatory Standards

  • Establish robust governance frameworks that ensure all medical study operations comply with applicable global and local regulations, ICH guidelines, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and BMS internal standards

  • Maintain deep working knowledge of the regulatory and compliance requirements that govern global clinical trials across all three study modalities, including country-specific requirements for non-interventional and real-world evidence studies

  • Implementstandardized — yet adaptable — operational policies and procedures that drive consistency and compliance across the portfolio while preserving the operational flexibility that medical studies require

3. Study Operations Execution & Oversight

  • Provide senior oversight of MEG study operations across the full lifecycle, ensuring studies are delivered on time, within scope, and to the highest quality standards

  • Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks across the portfolio; implement corrective and preventive actions as needed

  • Oversee CRO and vendor partnerships, ensuring external partners are aligned to BMS standards, contractual obligations, and quality expectations

4. Strategic Alignment & Leadership

  • Represent MEG Operations as an enterprise leader and key decision-maker within the MEG, MAP & RWE Leadership Team, bringing operational strategy, portfolio-level insights, and a cross-therapeutic area perspective to senior leadership discussions

  • Act as a change agent and organizational architect, setting the vision for how medical operations will evolve at BMS — anticipating future portfolio needs and ensuring the function is always positioned ahead of demand

  • Partner closely with the Head of MEG, MAP & RWE and the broader Leadership Team to align operational strategy with medical portfolio priorities

  • Serve as a visible, credible operational leader across the MEG, MAP & RWE organization — someone who can translate high-level strategy into executable operational plans and who earns trust through both expertise and delivery

  • Champion innovation and continuous improvement, benchmarking BMS MEG operations against industry best practices and driving adoption of digital tools, data platforms, and process enhancements that improve execution speed and data quality

Qualifications 

  • Educational Background: Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Clinical Research, or related discipline) required.  

  • Industry Experience: Minimum of 12+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with significant experience across both drug development and medical/clinical study operations. Minimum of 3-5 years in a ED-equivalent or enterprise leadership role, with direct accountability for building and scaling operational organizations — not solely managing within existing structure. 

  • Operational Model Expertise: Demonstrated track record of building fit-for-purpose operational models from the ground up within large, complex, matrixed, global pharmaceutical or biotech organizations — with proven ability to move fluidly between enterprise strategy and granular operational execution 

  • Study Operations and Regulatory/Compliance Expertise: Deep understanding of drug development processes and the full lifecycle of medical studies.  Solid understanding of global and local regulatory frameworks governing medical studies, including GCP, ICH guidelines, and country-specific requirements for non-interventional and real-world evidence studies. 

  • Cross-Portfolio Scope: Experience operating at an enterprise or global level, with accountability that spans multiple therapeutic areas, disease areas, or business units simultaneously — comfortable managing the complexity and competing priorities that come with a cross-portfolio remit

  • Communication & Influence: Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence and align stakeholders across functions and organizational levels.


We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Compensation Overview:

$257,180 - $311,647

The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.


Benefits:


Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).


U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.


Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.


Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs. Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.


U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings athttps://careers.bms.com/benefits

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at

About BristolMyers Squibb

BristolMyers Squibb Careers

Join the vibrant team at BristolMyers Squibb, a leader in global biopharmaceutical innovation, where your career growth is as important as the life-changing solutions we develop. At BristolMyers Squibb, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that encourages professional growth and development. Work You’ll Do Embark on a career with BristolMyers Squibb and be part of a company that’s dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. With us, you’ll contribute to a culture that embraces scientific innovation, responsible leadership, and community outreach. Explore job opportunities in various fields from research to marketing, and join a team that values leadership and diversity. Our commitment to career growth means we support your journey with extensive training programs, leadership development opportunities, and a global, diverse network of professionals. Innovative Work At BristolMyers Squibb, innovation is at the core of everything we do. From pioneering research in oncology to breakthroughs in immunology, our professionals have the opportunity to make significant contributions to the field and impact lives globally. Our collaborative environment encourages team members to challenge the status quo and bring forward ideas that pave the way for groundbreaking solutions. Be Part of a Great Team Working at BristolMyers Squibb means being part of a team that supports your aspirations and shares your values. Our culture thrives on teamwork, respect, and diversity, creating a workplace where everyone can achieve their potential. Enjoy the benefits of being part of a company that values work-life balance, provides competitive benefits, and fosters an environment where skills and leadership are developed through hands-on experience and comprehensive mentorship programs. Future-Proof Your Career With a multitude of job opportunities ranging from internships to full-time positions, BristolMyers Squibb is not just hiring; we’re building futures. We equip our employees with the tools needed for success, including advanced training in diverse skill sets, leadership programs, and opportunities for professional networking and growth. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and innovative team players who are ready to make a difference. Explore our career portal for all current job listings and be sure to submit your resume. Keep Up to Date Stay informed with the latest company news, career tips, and industry insights from BristolMyers Squibb. Our careers blog is a resource for potential and current employees looking to maximize their career potential. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts and insider information tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at BristolMyers Squibb. At BristolMyers Squibb, your career is just the beginning – it’s a pathway to personal and professional fulfillment. Join us and make a global impact.
Learn more about BristolMyers Squibb
Size
32,200 employees
Market Cap
$156.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$9 billion
Founded
1887
5 Year Trend
+19%
Revenue
$42.5 billion
NASDAQ

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