Executive Director, Technical Product Management
Merck, Rahway, NJ, United States
Our company is seeking an Executive Director to lead the Value Team responsible for the Development Data Platform & Services — the backbone of our company's modern clinical, safety, regulatory, and quality data ecosystem.
Scope of Responsibility - Three Product Lines
Core Data Platform – End‑to‑end data lifecycle management: ingestion (Clinical, Safety, Regulatory, External Partners, Self‑Serve), Data HUB (Raw / Curated), Data Model/Domain (Clinical Operational, Patient, Analytics, Master & Reference), and Data Products (SDTM, ADaM, Operational Reports). Governed access via the Data Integration & Access Layer (DIAL) serving Databricks, Domino, visualization tools, and citizen application developers.
Data Processing Services – Managed services for core clinical data operations: Encoding, Database Lock, Masking & Blinding, SDTM Mapping/Generation, P21 Validation, and extensible service framework.
Platform Services – Shared foundational capabilities including Centralized Clinical Trial Metadata Repository (MDR), Unified UI, and OneTouchID (identity governance and management Engine) enabling consistency and governance across the platform.
Education Requirement
Bachelor's Degree
Leadership Requirements
Enterprise Technology Leadership: 15+ years of progressive IT leadership; 5+ years at the Director/Executive Director level managing large‑scale data platform programs in a regulated industry.
People & Organization: Demonstrated ability to attract, develop, and retain globally distributed technical talent. Experience leading large teams across multiple geographies and cultures. (Multi‑Team Leader Experience)
Strategy & Value Delivery: Track record of translating business strategy into platform roadmaps, articulating ROI to C‑suite and Board‑level stakeholders and delivering measurable outcomes.
Stakeholder Management: Skilled at navigating complex multi‑stakeholder environments spanning IT, R&D, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and external partners (CROs, technology vendors).
Product Operating Model: Experience operating under a product‑led or value‑stream organizational model; ability to prioritize backlogs, manage platform OKRs, and balance innovation with operational excellence.
Program Governance: Strong command of portfolio management, risk mitigation, vendor governance, and compliance in GxP or other regulated environments.
Change Leadership: Proven ability to lead organizational transformation — migrating from legacy systems to modern cloud‑native data platforms while maintaining continuity of critical operations.
Technical Acumen And Experience
Modern Data Management: Deep expertise in data product thinking, data mesh/fabric architectures, data governance, metadata management, and data quality at enterprise scale.
Data Platform Engineering: Hands‑on background or strong oversight experience in building and operating cloud‑native data platforms — ingest, transform, model, serve — supporting both application consumers and analytical users.
AI/ML Enablement: Experience enabling AI/ML workloads on a shared platform — supporting federated learning, model development (Domino Data Lab, Databricks ML), and ML‑driven applications embedded in business workflows.
APIs & Data Access Patterns: Familiarity with data integration patterns, API‑based data access, DIAL‑style access layers, and serving data to downstream consumers ranging from BI tools to citizen developers.
Data Security & Compliance: Experience with data masking, access control, audit logging, and GxP/regulatory compliance (21 CFR Part 11, GDPR, ICH guidelines).
Cloud & Infrastructure: AWS (preferred), cloud data architecture, IaC principles, and operating at enterprise cloud scale.
Technology Experience – Strong Plus: Databricks. Immuta (data access governance). Domino Data Lab. AWS (S3, Glue, Lake Formation, SageMaker). Reference & Master Data Management platforms. Machine Learning / MLOps frameworks.
Domain Experience – Strong Plus: Clinical Data (CDISC, SDTM, ADaM, P21). Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance. Regulatory Submissions. Pharmaceutical Quality Systems. Pharma R&D / Drug Development lifecycle.
What Success Looks Like
Platform adopted as the standard for all new clinical development programs, with measurable increases in data velocity and quality.
AI/ML capabilities embedded into the platform, accelerating SDTM automation, data profiling, and predictive insights for clinical operations.
A high‑performing globally engaged team that operates with product discipline, clear ownership, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Trusted partner relationships with Clinical, Safety, Regulatory, and Quality stakeholders who view the platform as a competitive advantage.
Required Skills
Accountability
Asset Management
Benefits Management
Management System Development
Product Management
Product Strategies
Requirements Management
Software Product Management
Stakeholder Relationship Management
Strategic Planning
System Designs
Working Arrangement U.S. Hybrid Work Model: Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office‑based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on‑site per week, Monday–Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote‑working day, unless business critical tasks require an on‑site presence.
Compensation Salary range: $231,900.00 – $365,000.00. Eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable.
Benefits 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.
Equal Opportunity Employment 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.
Application Apply through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en. The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
Job Posting End Date 04/3/2026 (effective until 11:59:59 PM on the day before the listed end date).
Requisition ID R390620
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Scope of Responsibility - Three Product Lines
Core Data Platform – End‑to‑end data lifecycle management: ingestion (Clinical, Safety, Regulatory, External Partners, Self‑Serve), Data HUB (Raw / Curated), Data Model/Domain (Clinical Operational, Patient, Analytics, Master & Reference), and Data Products (SDTM, ADaM, Operational Reports). Governed access via the Data Integration & Access Layer (DIAL) serving Databricks, Domino, visualization tools, and citizen application developers.
Data Processing Services – Managed services for core clinical data operations: Encoding, Database Lock, Masking & Blinding, SDTM Mapping/Generation, P21 Validation, and extensible service framework.
Platform Services – Shared foundational capabilities including Centralized Clinical Trial Metadata Repository (MDR), Unified UI, and OneTouchID (identity governance and management Engine) enabling consistency and governance across the platform.
Education Requirement
Bachelor's Degree
Leadership Requirements
Enterprise Technology Leadership: 15+ years of progressive IT leadership; 5+ years at the Director/Executive Director level managing large‑scale data platform programs in a regulated industry.
People & Organization: Demonstrated ability to attract, develop, and retain globally distributed technical talent. Experience leading large teams across multiple geographies and cultures. (Multi‑Team Leader Experience)
Strategy & Value Delivery: Track record of translating business strategy into platform roadmaps, articulating ROI to C‑suite and Board‑level stakeholders and delivering measurable outcomes.
Stakeholder Management: Skilled at navigating complex multi‑stakeholder environments spanning IT, R&D, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and external partners (CROs, technology vendors).
Product Operating Model: Experience operating under a product‑led or value‑stream organizational model; ability to prioritize backlogs, manage platform OKRs, and balance innovation with operational excellence.
Program Governance: Strong command of portfolio management, risk mitigation, vendor governance, and compliance in GxP or other regulated environments.
Change Leadership: Proven ability to lead organizational transformation — migrating from legacy systems to modern cloud‑native data platforms while maintaining continuity of critical operations.
Technical Acumen And Experience
Modern Data Management: Deep expertise in data product thinking, data mesh/fabric architectures, data governance, metadata management, and data quality at enterprise scale.
Data Platform Engineering: Hands‑on background or strong oversight experience in building and operating cloud‑native data platforms — ingest, transform, model, serve — supporting both application consumers and analytical users.
AI/ML Enablement: Experience enabling AI/ML workloads on a shared platform — supporting federated learning, model development (Domino Data Lab, Databricks ML), and ML‑driven applications embedded in business workflows.
APIs & Data Access Patterns: Familiarity with data integration patterns, API‑based data access, DIAL‑style access layers, and serving data to downstream consumers ranging from BI tools to citizen developers.
Data Security & Compliance: Experience with data masking, access control, audit logging, and GxP/regulatory compliance (21 CFR Part 11, GDPR, ICH guidelines).
Cloud & Infrastructure: AWS (preferred), cloud data architecture, IaC principles, and operating at enterprise cloud scale.
Technology Experience – Strong Plus: Databricks. Immuta (data access governance). Domino Data Lab. AWS (S3, Glue, Lake Formation, SageMaker). Reference & Master Data Management platforms. Machine Learning / MLOps frameworks.
Domain Experience – Strong Plus: Clinical Data (CDISC, SDTM, ADaM, P21). Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance. Regulatory Submissions. Pharmaceutical Quality Systems. Pharma R&D / Drug Development lifecycle.
What Success Looks Like
Platform adopted as the standard for all new clinical development programs, with measurable increases in data velocity and quality.
AI/ML capabilities embedded into the platform, accelerating SDTM automation, data profiling, and predictive insights for clinical operations.
A high‑performing globally engaged team that operates with product discipline, clear ownership, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Trusted partner relationships with Clinical, Safety, Regulatory, and Quality stakeholders who view the platform as a competitive advantage.
Required Skills
Accountability
Asset Management
Benefits Management
Management System Development
Product Management
Product Strategies
Requirements Management
Software Product Management
Stakeholder Relationship Management
Strategic Planning
System Designs
Working Arrangement U.S. Hybrid Work Model: Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office‑based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on‑site per week, Monday–Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote‑working day, unless business critical tasks require an on‑site presence.
Compensation Salary range: $231,900.00 – $365,000.00. Eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable.
Benefits 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.
Equal Opportunity Employment 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.
Application Apply through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en. The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
Job Posting End Date 04/3/2026 (effective until 11:59:59 PM on the day before the listed end date).
Requisition ID R390620
#J-18808-Ljbffr