Associate Specialist, Project Management- Research & Development Project Management Scheduling (Hybrid)

Job Description

Global Project and Alliance Management (GPAM) is part of the Research and Development organization at our Company, which is also referred to as our Company's Research Laboratories.

The Integrated Project Planning (IPP) group within GPAM partners with Project Managers to advance the pipeline by delivering high‑quality, integrated plans that support project strategic intent.

The Associate Specialist, Project Management serves as a scheduling and planning subject matter expert for Discovery, Early Development and/or Product Development Teams. Operating under the guidance of a Director or Associate Director, this role builds and maintains cross‑functional, cross‑divisional project plans, supports schedule data quality across multiple programs, and partners with teams to identify risks, communicate updates, and ensure schedules reflect the most current information, processes, and guidelines. The Associate Specialist also contributes to GPAM process improvement and departmental initiatives.

Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, proficiency with tools such as Microsoft Project and related reporting systems, and the ability to understand dependencies across activities. Clear communication, a collaborative mindset, and close partnership with Project Managers and the PMO are essential.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Partner with lead Project Managers to accurately reflect team strategy and plans in enterprise project management systems.

• Build, maintain, and analyze integrated development project schedules (timelines and deliverables) in alignment with established standards and in collaboration with lead PMs and the PMO.

• Support multiple projects across all stages of development (preclinical through lifecycle management), therapeutic areas, and modalities; projects may vary in priority, pace, complexity, and include alliance partners.

• Understand schedule deliverables, dependencies, and interdependencies; proactively identify, communicate, and help resolve risks, conflicts, and constraints.

• Ensure high data quality and adherence to established scheduling, planning standards, specifications, and systems.

• Create new project schedules for programs entering the pipeline, as needed.

• Serve as first-line technical support for project planning systems, including troubleshooting and system build guidance.

• Share scheduling expertise by mentoring new colleagues and promoting best practices.

• Contribute to continuous improvement by participating in pilots for new tools, processes, and planning approaches.

• Build strong working relationships and collaborate effectively with stakeholders within and outside the department.

• Participate in relevant training to develop knowledge of drug development, project management capability, and leadership skills.

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required; concentration in a scientific or applied discipline preferred

• Highly organized and capable of working with attention to detail

• Able to relate project details to larger project objectives

• Planning, and time management skills

• Adept at learning new systems and technology

• Good conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• Demonstrated ability to work with others

• Communication skills to convey updates with an appropriate sense of urgency

• Desire for continuous learning and demonstration of learning agility

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Exposure to the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industries and discovery or product development

• Coursework/training in project management

• Familiarity with project planning technology (e.g., Microsoft Project, Excel)

• Data analytics and reporting

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Required Skills:

Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Budget Development, Change Agility, Clinical Trial Management, Collaborative Communications, Conceptual Abilities, Cost Management, Detail-Oriented, Development Projects, Drug Development, Feasibility Studies, Microsoft Project, Performance Monitoring, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Project Management, Project Management Technology, Project Planning, Project Schedule, R&D Management, Regulatory Affairs Compliance, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Schedule Management, Strategic Planning {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

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.

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.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$71,900.00 - $113,200.00

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 employee’s 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 Angeles’ 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:

05/29/2026

*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.