Executive Director, Business Technology Partner, Discovery, Preclinical and Translational Medicine

Job description

Job Description

Reporting to the Research and Development Sciences ( RaDS ) Value Team lead within Research and Development (R&D) IT, the Discovery, Preclinical Translational Medicine (DPTM) Business Technology Partner will   lead the   team   accountable   for   partnering with DPTM to shape   business strategy , define   the future - state   digital   ecosystem , and deliver the capabilities needed to advance   discovery   science. The role   be the primary point of contact for senior DPTM leaders ,   translate scientific priorities into product and investment strategy, and drive transformation through data, analytics, AI/ML, and modern research platforms. Success   will   require connecting   end-to-end business strategy   to   technical   solutions,   reducing   functional   silos ,   simplifying   the   system footprint, and   securing   investment in the highest - value   transformational   opportunities.   The   incumbent will   also   have   overall IT accountability for the   Discovery AI   ‘Lighthouse ’ initiative, one of   five   enterprise   investme nt s   focused on   accelerat ing value realization through A I   and lab-in-the-loop automation .

The successful candidate will   help   define   the next evolution of Digital Solutions,   moving beyond   traditional technology partnership   toward   accountable product leadership for research capabilities that accelerate scientific understanding, scientific design, a nd data-driven decision-making.   The   role may assume   ownership of   product capabilities and   teams aligned to Discovery and Translational Science outcomes,   working   with Scientific Data & Analytics and Lab Op era tions   & Platforms to deliver integrated   capabilities   across evidence generation, information generation, and insight generation. This leader   will   shape   strategy, define product vision, establish outcome-based roadmaps, and   build   product organizations that can   respond with speed and agility   to evolving scientific   and technology opportunities.

Primary Responsibilities:   - Own and continuously strengthen the strategic relationship with the DPTM leadership team, serving as the primary digital partner for translating scientific priorities into product strategy, capability investments, and measurable delivery outcomes.   - Lead   Discovery   and   Translational Science   product strate gy ,   including   product vision, capability roadmaps,   investment priorities , and tradeoff decisions that maximize scientific and business value.   - B uild and evolve high-performing product teams that accelerate scientific understanding, candidate design, and decision-making through innovative use of data, analytics, AI, and experimental evidence.    - Inspire and lead through influence across scientific, business, and technology organizations.    - Resolve competing stakeholder priorities by creating shared understanding of scientific value, delivery tradeoffs, and decision criteria.   - Develop talent and organizational capabilities that strengthen product management, scientific informatics, and digital innovation.    -  Create an environment that encourages experimentation, rapid learning, and responsible adoption of emerging technologies.   - Build strong cross functional relationships with various business stakeholders and IT teams, applying expertise to resolve complex scientific technology and data problems. ​   - As Digital Solutions evolves, the role may take on direct ownership for selected   Discovery and Translational   Science   product   capabilities    - Partner with   RaDS   product leaders   and scientific leadership to define product strategy, prioritize capability investments, establish outcome-based roadmaps, and negotiate tradeoffs that maximize scientific and business value realization.

Education Minimum: ​   - Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science , Engineering or Life Science ​

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Required Experience and Skills: ​   - 10+ years prior experience   in leadership roles in life sciences or technology, including management and development of teams and people managers.   - Broad understanding of drug discovery and early development processes, technologies and data types   - Demonstrated ability to articulate strategy ,   translate to   technology roadmaps,   and influence enterprise technology strategy. ​   - Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with and through others to achieve shared goals ​   - Strong problem-solving skills with a pragmatic approach to   addressing challenges   and negotiating collaborative approaches to shared outcomes ​   - Outstanding   executive   communication skills ,   with   the ability to listen with   empathy,   simplify   complex   scientific and technology   concepts , and influence stakeholders   toward the   highest - value opportunities.   - Self-directed,   motivated   leader who   can operate   with   limited   direction , identify   what is needed, and drive   results   through ambiguity.   - Demonstrated experience translating enterprise strategy into measurable business and scientific outcomes.    - Experience operating across executive stakeholder groups and influencing prioritization, investment, and organizational change.    - Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through ambiguity and transformation.    - Experience balancing short-term value delivery with long-term product and platform strategy.

​   Preferred Experience and Skills:   ​   - Business consulting experience, including large program management ​   - Experience with AI/ML, genomics, research information systems, lab automation ​   - ​ Business process design & Change management   - Product leadership experience in scientific, research, data, or technology domains.    - Demonstrated experience   moving   innovation programs from concept   through adoption, scaling, and   value realization.

Required Skills:

Benefits Management, Benefits Management, Business Alignment, Business Analysis, Business Consulting Services, Business Decisions, Business Metrics, Business Models, Business Process Improvements, Business Writing, Change Management, Competency Management, Executive Presence, Expectation Management, Governance Management, Management Consulting, Metrics Development, Product Roadmap, Program Management, Sales Process Development, Solutions Delivery, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Alignment, Strategic Consulting, Strategic Planning {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

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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

$231,900.00 - $365,000.00

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:

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

09/25/2026 *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.