Country Therapeutic Area Head (TA Head) - Oncology

Job Description

This role will be key to further develop the country capabilities in clinical research. Under the oversight of the country or cluster CRD the person will be responsible for the end to end

performance of clinical trials in 1 or several TA, from feasibility to close out in 1 or several countries. The role should be responsible for 30 to 50 clinical trials and will ensure excellent study performance with strict adherence to local regulations, our company SOPs and ICH GCP.

The role is responsible for oversight of all the employees working in the TA, with line management for CRMs and functional oversight of other roles in his studies. As line manager the role is critical to develop key talents in the organization to ensure a pool of successors in critical roles.

The role will work at country level with other local stakeholder like GMA, Our Global Human Health Division, PV and regulatory to ensure alignment and development of the country capabilities and can represent the CRD of cluster in local management if required. CRD can delegate certain key tasks as needed.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Will lead 1 or several TA of the growing portfolio in the country.

• Accountable for the successful execution, enrollment and quality of their clinical trial portfolio.

• Accountable to ensure timelines and key milestones are met.

• Accountable for performance metrics.

• Accountable to develop operational strategies and quality plans for the conduct of all programs and studies in the TA portfolio.

• Collaborates with other TA directors, local and regional stakeholder in GCTO in order to develop and build territory of principal investigators and sites.

• Ensures oversight and line management of Clinical Research Manager (CRM) team within TA.

• Leads team independently with supervision from CRD to high performance.

• Accountable for CRM performance reviews, including addressing low performance situations, and taking appropriate actions.

• Ensures key talent development and retention.

• Collaborates and works closely with other stakeholders in the TA in GCTO & GCD regional and headquarter teams, quality, finance, IT and HR.

• Collaborates externally with investigators, regulators and vendors

• Member of the GCTO country leadership team.

• Supports strategic initiatives across Global Clinical Development GCD and GCTO.

• Supports local strategy development consistent with long-term corporate needs in conjunction with CRD.

• Together with direct reports contributes significantly to effective conduct of clinical studies and to develop the pipeline, while maintaining regulatory requirements and compliance.

• This position impacts directly the country’s ability to reach business targets and objectives and ensures that productive collaboration with internal and external business partners are built.

Extent Of Travel: Up to 30%

CORE Competency Expectations:

• Business and financial acumen.

• Strategic thinking.

• Ability to think cross-functionally and working across boundaries internationally.

• Ability to identify problems, conflicts and opportunities early and lead, analyze mitigation plans and drive conflict resolution is critical.

• Fluent in Local Language and business proficient in English (verbal and written) and excellent communication skills.

• Sound ICH-GCP knowledge and knowledge of Good Documentation Practices.

• Good understanding of Global, Country/Regional Clinical Research Guidelines and ability to work within these guidelines.

Behavioral Competency Expectations:

• High emotional intelligence.

• Strong leadership and negotiation skills.

• Positive proven success in people management.

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with senior business executives.

• Influencing skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, conflict management.

• Relationship management and networking: strong integration into local and HQ TA network and ability to build productive relationships with all parties.

• Effective time management.

• Effective communication with external customers (e.g. sites and investigators).

Experience Requirements:

Required:

• Minimum of 10 years´ experience in clinical trial organization

• Minimum of 2 years´ experience in a functional management position

Preferred:

• CRA, project management and CRM experience

• Line management experience

Educational Requirements:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or equivalent healthcare experience

Preferred:

• Advanced degree, (e.g., MD, PhD, Pharm D, MS)

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, CiviCRM, Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Documentation, Clinical Trial Management, Clinical Trial Planning, Clinical Trials, Clinical Trials Operations, Conflict Resolution, Decision Making, Emotional Intelligence, Ethical Standards, Financial Advising, ICH GCP Guidelines, Manufacturing Compliance, Multiple Therapeutic Areas, Oncology, People Leadership, People Management, Process Improvements, Professional Networking, Project Management, Relationship Management, Resource Allocation {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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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The salary range for this role is

$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

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

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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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Remote

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

No

Job Posting End Date:

06/8/2026

*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.