Associate Director, Clinical Operations - Global Data Management & Standards Academy (Hybrid)

Job Description

The Associate Director, Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) Academy reports to the Head of Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) Business Operations and leads the strategy and execution for GDMS onboarding and the global skill and knowledge development framework. In collaboration with GDMS functional area leaders, translates capability needs into learning pathways, appropriately leveled knowledge content, and role-based curricula. The role defines standards for curriculum design, evaluation, and learning operations, and builds scalable mechanisms for training delivery and consumption. Partnering with enterprise learning and development, leverages curated training and learning sources, ensures alignment on learning technologies, aligns to training record keeping requirements and recommendation, and employs learning analytics to guide continuous improvement. 

 

Responsibilities 
 

Strategic Alignment & Stakeholder Partnership 

• In collaboration with Global Data Management & Standards (GDMS) leadership, defines and maintains GDMS onboarding material and associated processes; ensures alignment with broader organizational onboarding activities 

• In partnership with GDMS leadership and subject matter experts, defines skill and knowledge requirements that align with business needs and organizational priorities 

• Working with representatives from the GDMS global data management centers, defines and implements a skill and knowledge development strategy inclusive of role-based competency frameworks, role-based curricula, and delivery mechanisms 

• Engages with Human Resources, enterprise learning and development, Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO), and external partnerships to source curated training and learning material that aligns with organizational priorities 

• Own and drive the GDMS Academy learning and development strategy, proactively identifying capability gaps and building the business case for learning priorities 

 

Learning Operations, Curriculum Development, & Delivery Enablement 

• Leads delivery and coordination of the GDMS learning portfolio, ensuring quality, consistency, and on-time execution  

• Establishes standards for content design, facilitation, and evaluation; coach subject matter experts and facilitators to those standards 

• Defines annual skill and knowledge development plan, success criteria, and measurement model; publishes dashboards and drives follow-through on actions to continuously improve 

• Coordinates with Human Resources, enterprise learning and development and Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO) on tools, LMS (Learning Management System) integrations, and enterprise talent initiatives that relate to GDMS learning 

• Lead continuous improvement of the GDMS Academy curriculum using learning analytics, stakeholder feedback, and benchmarking insights to regularly assess and evolve design, delivery mechanisms, and measurement frameworks 

 

Engagement, Knowledge Sharing, & Talent Development 

• Manages onboarding, rotation, shadow, and intern programs end-to-end, including selection, matching, objectives, and outcomes tracking 

• Builds external engagement plan (industry forums, benchmarking, associations) and evaluates insights for internal learning opportunities and curriculum refinement 

• Develops and coordinates recognition and learning campaigns that motivate skill and knowledge uptake  

 

Qualifications, Skills & Experience  

Technical Skills: 

• In depth knowledge of clinical trial operations and clinical data management  

• Proficiency in designing curriculum architecture and learning pathways aligned to role-based competency and skills frameworks 

• Experience developing assessment strategy and evaluation methods including competency-based validation 

• Experience building and sustaining communities of practice and peer-learning mechanisms (facilitation, mentoring, knowledge sharing) 

• Working knowledge of learning analytics and dashboarding (coverage, completion, proficiency, impact/behavior change, ROI/benefits). 

• Experience integrating curricula and reporting with enterprise learning technologies (e.g., LMS/LXP) while applying data privacy and access controls. 

• Ability to translate internal/external insights and lessons learned into learning assets  

Non-technical Skills: 

• Demonstrated strategic leadership and ability to influence senior-level leaders and stakeholders across functions, geographies, and levels 

• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills across global and matrixed environments 

• Strong conceptual and analytical thinking; able to translate strategy into actionable execution 

• Demonstrated success in mentoring, coaching, and developing talent in a global organization 

• Demonstrated success driving change and alignment across complex, cross-functional structures 

• High resilience, adaptability, and professional maturity in evolving business environment 

Enterprise Leadership Skills: 

• Business Savviness | Uses organizational and industry insights to identify trends, assesses Data Management operating practices and performance, evaluates process or operating model changes, and anticipates impacts on delivery, resourcing, and stakeholders 

• Strategic Planning | Triages activities and assignments by business criticality, and reprioritizes work as timelines, risks, and stakeholder needs shift 

• Execution Excellence | Proactively takes initiative beyond assigned responsibilities to unblock delivery, close gaps, and achieve program and operational results 

Qualifications & experience:  

• Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, data management, or clinical trial operations and a minimum of 3 years in learning and development.  

OR 

• Advanced Degree (Masters or Doctorate) with a minimum of 4 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, data management, or clinical trial operations and a minimum of 3 years in learning and development. 

eligibleforERP

clinicaltrialjobs

GDMS

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Business Acumen, Business Case Development, Clinical Database Programming, Clinical Data Management, Clinical Data Standards, Clinical Trials, Competency Framework Design, Curriculum Development, Data Analysis, Data Management, Data Quality Assurance, Data Reporting, Data Validation, Detail-Oriented, Good Clinical Data Management Practice (GCDMP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Interpersonal Relationships, Learning Analytics, Learning and Development (L&D), Mentoring Staff, Project Management Tools, Recordkeeping {+ 3 more}

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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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.

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The salary range for this role is

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

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

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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:

Domestic

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:

06/30/2026

*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.