Executive Director, Research & Development Compliance Global Medical and Scientific Affairs

Job Description

Overview:

This role serves as a key member of our company's research division Ethics & Compliance Leadership Team and as a trusted counselor and advisor to the Global Clinical Development (GCD) organization, with particular focus on the Value and Implementation (V&I) team.  The Executive Director reports to, and partners closely with, the head of our company's manufacturing and research divisions Compliance, representing the Ethics & Compliance Office (ECO) in counseling senior leaders within GCD and V&I. 

 

The Executive Director is accountable for the execution of key compliance initiatives and is tasked with understanding and advising on the legal and practical implications of those initiatives on GCD and V&I activities.  The Executive Director will serve as a subject matter expert in the relevant policies, guidance documents, codes, and regulations that impact GCD and V&I business needs, strategic objectives, and operational practices.  The Executive Director applies this expertise in advising and counseling clients, including Senior Management, and assisting in the assessment and implementation of activities. 

 

The Executive Director leads a team of three people based in the United States and Europe.

 

What this role will do:

• Provide compliance counseling and advice to stakeholders in GCD and V&I globally, including by serving as a member of the V&I Extended Leadership Team and acting as the Compliance point for the leader of the V&I organization.
• Provide strategic oversight, engage in data monitoring and analysis, and develop practical, risk-based recommendations in support of GCD and V&I initiatives and activities.
• Present to Senior Management on relevant compliance matters, including on external events that may impact internal compliance needs.
• Counsel the V&I organization, as well as relevant stakeholders in Human Health that interact with V&I, in the management of the risks inherent in their respective business operations.
• Support the V&I and GCD teams in the effective execution of compliant business practices by partnering in the development of our company's research division policies, promotion of compliance messaging, and implementation of corrective actions, as needed. 
• Collaborate with colleagues across our company's research division Compliance to support our company's research division Compliance Monitoring Plan to proactively identify and address potential risks for the division.
• Support due diligence for later-stage business development and, as needed, integration activities for closed acquisitions.
• Partner closely with colleagues across ECO and International Legal and Compliance to ensure effective development and implementation of HQ-driven and cross-regional GCD and V&I practices.
• Work to build strong teams and talent within the compliance organization.

 

Requirements:

• BA/BS required; advanced degree in science, business, or policy preferred 
• J.D. from a US-accredited law school (or ex-US equivalent) strongly preferred
• Minimum of 15 years of experience with knowledge and comprehension of laws, regulations, and policies guiding the conduct of business practices within the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the medical affairs space (e.g., advertising/promotion regulations; AKS; FCPA) and an ability to apply knowledge to real-world situations
• Experience counseling clients and a demonstrated ability to appropriately influence decision-makers, including Senior Leaders, on legal/compliance issues in the life sciences area
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to anticipate and identify potential compliance risks with proposed activities and develop effective mitigation strategies
• Solid judgment and disciplined decision-making coupled with emotional intelligence and an effective counseling style
• Strong written/oral communication and presentation skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and simply
• Willingness to travel as needed to support compliance initiatives globally
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including the ability to work across functions, divisions, and geographies
• Familiarity with our company's research and human health organizations and activities
• Experience with the development or execution of written policies and guidance
• Experience leading and developing teams or an enthusiasm for people management

 

Required Skills:

Compliance Program Development, Compliance Reporting, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Detail-Oriented, Ethical Compliance, Exercises Judgment, Leadership, Metrics Analysis, People Management, Policy Implementation, Regulatory Compliance Audits, Regulatory Reporting, Stakeholder Management, Technical Documentation Management, Training and Development

Preferred Skills:

Regulatory Compliance

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

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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 primary location for this posting is:

USA - Pennsylvania - North Wales (Upper Gwynedd)

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.

The salary range for the primary location of this role is:

$231,900.00 - $365,000.00

This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Rahway NJ

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:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

11/3/2026

*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.