Impress employers and recruiters.
Choose from hundreds of resume examples.

Target Resume Now

About the Role

The Executive Director, Clinical Science is a senior leader within Oncology Clinical Development, responsible for strategic, scientific, operational, and people leadership across a portfolio of oncology programs. This role serves as a member of the Oncology Clinical Science Leadership Team, shaping the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of the organization. The Executive Director leads a large matrixed organization, ensuring the highest standards of scientific rigor, patient focus, quality, and regulatory readiness while championing innovation and modern ways of working.

Responsibilities

Holds accountability for portfolio delivery from the Clinical Science perspective, including prioritization, resource alignment, and support for key development milestones.
Provide strategic oversight for a portfolio of oncology assets across multiple therapeutic areas and stages of development.
Partner with Therapeutic Area Heads and leaders across Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics and Data Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Translational Medicine, and Medical Affairs to drive development strategy execution and delivery of key portfolio milestones.
Ensure Clinical Science contributions support development plans, regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, and lifecycle management activities.
Apply Clinical Science expertise to inform therapeutic area and portfolio strategy across evolving science, treatment trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory considerations.
Optimize allocation of Clinical Science resources and associated budgets across a complex and evolving portfolio to align with business priorities and organizational objectives.
Serve as a senior escalation point for scientific, and resource-related issues, enabling effective and timely resolution.
Establish and sustain high standards for scientific rigor, clinical science quality, medical data review, study oversight, and regulatory readiness across the portfolio.
Drive consistency in clinical science practices, study execution, and data interpretation across therapeutic areas and development programs.
Foster a culture of proactive risk identification, mitigation, inspection readiness, and continuous quality improvement.
Advance innovative approaches to medical data review, signal detection, study oversight, and evidence-based decision-making that enhance development outcomes.
Champion adoption of AI-enabled, digital, and technology-driven capabilities that enhance Clinical Science productivity, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Contribute to identifying opportunities to leverage advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital solutions to improve decision-making, strengthen study oversight, and streamline workflows.
Drive modernization of clinical data review through innovative approaches that enhance insight generation and support timely, informed decisions.
Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, continuous learning, and responsible implementation of emerging technologies.
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to define, develop, and implement scalable capabilities that support future organizational needs and long-term business success.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Clinical Science organization.
Champion a culture of leadership excellence by guiding, developing, and holding accountable leaders at multiple levels within the CS organization.
Build organizational capability through talent planning, succession management, leadership development, and career growth strategies.
Create an inclusive environment that promotes engagement, psychological safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous development.
Develop future leaders by mentoring Clinical Scientists and CS people leaders, strengthening scientific, strategic, and leadership capabilities across the organization.
Ensure leaders are equipped to provide effective coaching, feedback, performance development, and career support for their teams.
Contribute to the development and execution of Clinical Science strategy, priorities, and long-term organizational objectives.
Lead initiatives related to organizational design, workforce planning, and resource optimization to support evolving portfolio and business needs.
Develop and implement scalable operating models that balance portfolio execution, organizational effectiveness, employee development, and talent retention.
Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve efficiency, effectiveness, innovation, and organizational health.
Represent Clinical Science in governance forums, leadership discussions, and strategic planning activities.
Shape functional and enterprise priorities through leadership engagement, cross-functional partnerships, and influence across organizational boundaries.

Requirements

Advanced scientific or healthcare degree required (PhD, PharmD) + at least 10 years of oncology drug development experience OR Master’s Degree in life sciences + 15 years of oncology drug development experience
Significant experience in oncology drug development with demonstrated success across multiple phases of clinical development.
Deep expertise in Clinical Science, Clinical Development, and execution of global clinical programs.
Experience supporting regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, and late- and early-stage development activities.
Proven leadership experience managing in large, matrixed organizations through multiple levels of management.
Demonstrated success developing talent, building leadership capability, and creating high-performing teams.
Familiarity with, or interest in emerging AI, advanced analytics, and digital capabilities applicable to clinical development.
Experience in the therapeutic areas of Hematology, Oncology Assets and Early Development preferred.
Generate and consider options for action to achieve a long-range goal; develop decision criteria considering factors, such as cost, benefits, risks, timing and buy-in; select the strategy most likely to succeed.
Identify the key tasks and resources needed to achieve strategic objectives.
Offer a broad organizational perspective that goes beyond the goals of one’s immediate business unit or work role; demonstrate flexibility when forming and adjusting partnerships to achieve broader goals.
Ensure that those responsible for implementing a strategic initiative have role clarity and accountability for required actions and outputs, as well as the direction and authority to act in a way consistent with organizational values.
Leverage environmental supports and remove development barriers; advocate for individual to higher levels of management to create development opportunities; provide guidance and positive models; seek suggestions for improving performance; collaboratively create development plans that include activities targeted to specific goals.
Create momentum by taking immediate action and encouraging others to take action to improve organizational culture, processes or products/services; offer resources and direction to support implementation; break down cultural and operational barriers to change; recognize and reward those who contribute to change efforts.
Domestic relocation is available.
25% travel required.
Consideration for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Consideration for 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 Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Skills

Advanced Analytics
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Clinical Development
Clinical Sciences
Cross-Functional Leadership
Executive Leadership
Global Clinical Studies
Innovation
Matrix Leadership
Oncology
Oncology Drug Development
Regulatory Submissions
Strategic Leadership
Talent Development
Hematology
Early Development

Location

Remote
Hybrid

Work Type

Regular
Full-time
Hybrid

Experience Level

Senior Leader
10+ years oncology drug development experience
15+ years oncology drug development experience
Multiple levels of management

Education Level

Advanced scientific or healthcare degree (PhD, PharmD)
Master’s Degree in life sciences

Salary/Compensations

$255,800.00 - $402,700.00

Benefits

Eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive
Comprehensive package of benefits
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

About the Company

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA.
Committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.
Embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds.
Encourages colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Equal Opportunity

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts.