Job Description

Global Project and Alliance Management (GPAM) sits in the Research & Development Division of our Company. The Project Managers and Alliance Managers 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 Research & Development Division alliance partners. The Project Management Office (PMO) is responsible for enabling the success of the business through 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.

The Associate Specialist, Project Management, is a subject matter expert in scheduling and planning for Early Development and/or Product Development Teams (EDTs and PDTs, respectively) and will operate under the guidance of a Director or Associate Director, Project Management to build and manage cross-functional and cross-divisional plans. They will support the scheduling and data quality for a variety of programs and will be a key partner in identifying schedule risks, communicating updates and changes, ensuring the most accurate and up-to-date information is represented and accurately incorporating process and guideline changes into the schedules. Associate Specialists are also expected to contribute to ongoing business process improvement and departmental initiatives in GPAM.

Success in this role requires attention to detail and the ability to master a variety of tools including Microsoft Project and related reporting systems. Also valued, are an aptitude for understanding interconnections between activities, a willingness to ask questions and seek solutions to challenges. As an expert in planning, the Associate Specialist will be expected to communicate clearly with other PMs and team members as well as partner closely with the PMO, both formally and informally.

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

Primary Activities

• Partner effectively with lead Project Managers (PMs) to accurately represent the team strategy in PM enterprise systems
• Create, monitor and analyze development project plans and schedules (timelines and deliverables) in accordance with established standards and collaboration with lead PMs and the PMO.
• Support multiple projects across any stage of development (preclinical, clinical, lifecycle management), therapeutic area and modality (small molecule, biologic, vaccine, combination product). Projects range in priority, pace, and complexity, and may include one or more alliance partners.
• Understand deliverables and interdependencies within the schedule; Identify and communicate potential conflicts and constraints; Work with PMs and team members to resolve
• Work with lead PMs to ensure high data quality in the schedule
• Accountable for use of established scheduling and planning standards, specifications and systems
• May help build new schedules for projects that enter the pipeline
• Share scheduling subject matter expertise and best practices with Project Managers
• Participate in pilots for new tools and processes
• Effectively build relationships and collaborate with colleagues inside and outside of the department, as appropriate
• Participate in training courses to become educated and skilled in:
  • Overall drug development knowledge
  • Project management discipline
  • Leadership capabilities

Education Requirement –

• Bachelor’s degree

Required Experience and Skills

• 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)

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. 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.

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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