Director, Project Management Office

Job Description

Global Project and Alliance Management (GPAM) sits in the Research and Development (R&D) organization at our company. The Project Managers and Alliance Managers in GPAM are core members of discovery, development, and alliance teams at our company. Project Managers drive these cross-functional teams to deliver projects and products that improve human health and our company's business, and Alliance Managers ensure successful collaborations with our R&D alliance partners. The GPAM Project Management Office (PMO) is responsible for pipeline reporting and analytics to drive business insights, leadership of divisional strategic initiatives, and the development, sustainment, and training of GPAM owned systems, tools, and business processes as well as alignment with Finance, IT, and functional area operations groups within our company.

Under the broad guidance of the Head of the Project Management Office and Business Operations, the Director, GPAM PMO role will partner with internal customers and requires the ability to build strong and trusting relationships with key partners, colleagues and team members. The ideal candidate will need to effectively communicate and interact across all levels and across different therapeutic areas (TAs) of the R&D organization.

The role will include, but not be limited to, the following responsibilities:

60-70% Portfolio Business Operations, Reporting and Analytics:

• Serves as the strategic subject matter expert in the areas of portfolio reporting and analytics to drive business insights and operational efficiencies.  Responsible for the development and continuous oversight of the roadmap to implement mature reporting and business analytics.  
• Utilizes appropriate stakeholder engagement and associated analytics to define PM training needs and develops effective training programs.
• Ensures linkage and consistent application of project management methodologies, process and tools across GPAM and R&D.
• Monitors implementation of PMO systems and tools; addresses issues and develops associated training/re-training plans.
• Ensures development and oversight of Knowledge Management practices, training and an environment of continuous improvement within GPAM.
• Partners with the IT organization to develop the strategy and development of GPAM Dashboards and Reports targeting multiple key performance and operational indicators (KPIs and KOIs) as well as cross-functional, cross-divisional project information and progress/status. These reports are utilized to support pipeline operations and decision-making.
• Drives engagement with external partners to deliver benchmarking and historical database management on an annual basis to support predictive business analytics.
• Provides direct support to Therapeutic Areas/functions, as needed.
• Leads multiple, complex initiatives and work-streams in alignment with the GPAM PMO strategy and roadmap 

30% Talent Development and Process Improvement

• Manage a diverse team of 2-3 Portfolio Management professionals including the setting of annual objectives, organizing the allocation of responsibilities to deliver business results while enabling continued development opportunities.  Must be capable of leading the team through consistent motivation and effective communication, setting clear expectations and measuring performance.
• Responsible to ensure that PM best practices are being employed across the PM organization.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects which significantly impact the work and/or effectiveness of the PM and PMO. These projects can relate to optimizing PM capabilities, systems, and operations (e.g., leading efforts to improve planning and reporting systems/platforms etc.) or to improving the functioning of teams and/or development processes.
• Manage cross-divisional work groups and lead or input into improvements to processes/templates that support product development or project management.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in science or technical field
• Minimum 6 years of experience in Portfolio Management, with direct experience in the pharmaceutical industry or related field with proven healthcare business acumen
• Direct experience developing reporting and analytical strategies/roadmaps and executing of the strategy to deliver pipeline and business operations reports/dashboards, with successful compilation of large amounts of data to deliver analytical outcomes and business insights.
• Experience with the ownership of a project model and associated data architecture to deliver complex automated reports and data analytics in the pharmaceutical industry 
• 5+ years of staff management experience as well as experience managing teams in a highly matrix organization
• Proven track record of leading and driving business process transformation and organizational culture change as well as delivering on large programs/initiatives with complex business deliverables
• Experience with the planning and execution of strategies for drug / vaccine product registration and commercialization / life-cycle management
• Track record of successful leadership, management, and development of teams in a matrix environment.
• Strong executive leadership presence, communication skills, both oral and written, with demonstrated situational leadership and creative problem solving
• Able to understand project details, but keep overall “big picture” view of projects, priorities, and strategies

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and /or formal coursework/training in project management
• 10 years of project management experience within the pharmaceutical industry
• Six Sigma and/or Change Management certification
• Advanced scientific or technical degree

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” and that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. And we believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe.

Who we are … 

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicines, oncology, vaccines and animal health products. 

We are driven by our purpose to develop and deliver innovative products that save and improve lives. With 69,000 employees operating in more than 140 countries, we offer state of the art laboratories, plants and offices that are designed to Inspire our employees as we learn, develop and grow in our careers. We are proud of our 125 years of service to humanity and continue to be one of the world’s biggest investors in Research & Development. 

What we look for … 

In a world of rapid innovation, we seek brave Inventors who want to make an Impact in all aspects of our business, enabling breakthroughs that will affect generations to come. We encourage you to bring your disruptive thinking, collaborative spirit and diverse perspective to our organization. Together we will continue Inventing For Life, Impacting Lives while Inspiring Your Career Growth. 

INVENT.

IMPACT.

INSPIRE. 

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor

If you need an accommodation for the application process please email us at staffingaadar@merck.com

For more information about personal rights under Equal Employment Opportunity, visit:

EEOC Poster
EEOC GINA Supplement​
OFCCP EEO Supplement

OFCCP Pay Transparency Rule

We are an equal opportunity employer, Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran – proudly embracing diversity in all of its manifestations.

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Kenilworth, 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:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Number of Openings:

Requisition ID:R35497