Job Description

In Biostatistics and Research Decision Sciences (BARDS), a distinguished department within our renowned Research and Development division, quantitative scientists, in partnership with other subject matter experts, apply state-of-the art scientific methodologies and tools to enable the discovery, development, regulatory approval, manufacturing, and marketing of medical drugs and vaccines for the benefit of patients and global human health.

The Associate Vice President (AVP), Late Development Statistics, BARDS, is responsible and accountable for the end-to-end statistical support for a number our company's late-stage products in Oncology. The AVP will work under the direction of the Late Development Statistics Vice President in BARDS and will work collaboratively with other leaders in Clinical Development and Global Regulatory Affairs.

The AVP provides leadership and direction through senior-level and first-line managers and statistical staff focused on end to end statistical activities that support Women's Cancer, Genitourinary Cancers and Melanoma in the Oncology therapeutic area. The AVP builds and oversees a statistical team of 20 employees focused on effective, efficient, and seamless cross-functional collaboration to deliver novel strategic program and study design, analysis strategy, and analysis results with highest quality. This individual is responsible for hiring appropriate, qualified staff, coaching and mentoring, talent management including succession and workforce planning, performance management, and employee development. Additionally, the AVP may provide strategic oversight and sponsorship of departmental initiatives.

The requirements for this role include strong strategic insight and decision-making skills, expertise in leading large teams in the development of novel clinical trial designs and analysis methods in oncology, experience in directing multiple teams to execute on business priorities, demonstrated experience in building and maintaining talented teams, and demonstrated collaboration with senior cross-functional leadership to optimize efficiencies in the clinical development space. Preferred skills include experience in the application of AI, machine learning, and real-world data, as well as demonstrated leadership and sponsorship in large-scale strategic initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides strategic oversight for late-stage development statistical support in Oncology therapeutic area (focusing on Women's Cancer, Genitourinary Cancers, and Melanoma) leveraging advanced statistical techniques and methodologies

• Mentors team statisticians in developing adaptive program-level statistical strategies, ensuring alignment with rapidly evolving field, priorities and portfolio needs

• Maintains continuity of technical knowledge, study design, and analysis strategies across various project teams, fostering collaboration and innovation

• Directly or indirectly manages a team of approximately 20 statisticians, including individual contributors, first-line managers, and senior managers, driving disciplined proactive decision-making and technical excellence

• Represents the statistics department at internal governance meetings, health authority meetings, advisory committee meetings, and statistical conferences, showcasing technical expertise, leadership, and communication skills.

• Serves as the statistical lead in one or more high-profile asset development teams, incorporating novel design and analysis methodologies where appropriate to advance project goals.

• Drives people development and talent management initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth within the team.

Education:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Statistics, Biostatistics or related field

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 15 years of work experience (Ph.D.) or 20 years of work experience (M.S.) in the pharmaceutical industry

• Strong expertise in high-quality strategic statistical decision-making, development of study design and analysis and reporting through all phases of development including regulatory submissions

• Demonstrated history of development and execution of innovative clinical trial designs and exploration of novel analysis methods in Oncology drug development

• Proven ability in building, developing and maintaining high performing teams both as a direct manager and a second line manager (i.e., managers of managers)

• Demonstrated collaboration with senior cross-functional leadership in advancing pipeline priorities

• Strong interpersonal skills and executive presence to successfully engage senior leaders in governance meetings and health authority interactions..

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience in application of AI, machine learning and real world data to statistical problems

• Publications and presentations related to statistical topics

• Experience working in Women's Cancer, Genitourinary Cancers and Melanoma

• Demonstrated leadership of high impact of one or more strategic initiatives

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

EEOC GINA Supplement​

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

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.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$276,600.00 - $435,400.00

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

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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Data Management, Data Science, Numerical Analysis, Scientific Modeling, Waterfall Model

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/26/2025

*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.

Requisition ID:R357193