Director Pharmaceutical Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Pharmaceutical Analytical Sciences (PAS) team is seeking a highly motivated, innovative scientific leader to advance analytical solutions that support our Company's small molecule development pipeline. The PAS Director provides strategic and operational leadership for a team that develops, qualifies, and applies analytical methods to characterize, release, and support stability for clinical drug substance and drug product.

This role partners across process and formulation development, CMC and Regulatory, Quality, and manufacturing/commercialization stakeholders to inform control strategy and support regulatory filings, ensuring development programs are supported by scientifically sound, compliant analytical strategies.

Success in this role requires strategic thinking, strong people leadership, sound scientific judgment, and excellent communication skills, along with an understanding of the regulatory environment and the ability to influence through data and collaboration.

• Sets clear direction and priorities aligned to business needs.
• Leads with a quality mindset and role-models compliance and integrity.
• Builds inclusive, high-performing teams through coaching and development.
• Collaborates across functions and influences decisions using data and scientific rationale.
• Drives continuous improvement and manages risk proactively.

The Director reports to the Executive Director of PAS and leads a Rahway-based team of approximately 10-15 scientists embedded in multidisciplinary development teams. The team is accountable for analytical method development and testing to support chemical and biochemical processes and multiple dosage forms, including parenteral, oral, and specialty products.

The Director monitors regulatory expectations and industry trends to inform analytical R&D strategy and future capability needs across Development Sciences. The successful candidate brings experience operating in an innovative analytical environment, with strong alignment to regulatory expectations and GMP requirements.

The Director partners with PAS leadership to advance strategic and cultural priorities. The Director recruits, onboards, and develops talent; sets clear performance expectations; and builds sustainable development and succession plans for critical scientific and management roles. The position oversees disclosures prepared within the group to support external publications and regulatory filings, and supports resource planning, risk mitigation, and budget management as needed.

The PAS Director builds a strong internal network and maintains external connections across academic, industry, and regulatory communities, as appropriate. The Director promotes a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and a consistent GMP/compliance mindset across partners and stakeholders.

• Lead and advance analytical methodologies and platforms to support drug substance and drug product development.
• Apply strong project and portfolio management to deliver high-quality results on agreed timelines.
• Review, interpret, and approve data packages to ensure scientific rigor and compliance.
• Represent the laboratory during internal and external audits and drive timely, effective follow-up.
• Develop, review, and maintain SOPs and related controlled documents.
• Operate effectively within Quality Systems, ensuring inspection readiness and continuous improvement.
• Develop, coach, and retain staff; build a strong talent pipeline and inclusive team culture.
• Maintain thorough working knowledge of GMPs, ICH, and relevant FDA and global health authority guidance.

• BS or MS in Chemistry or a related discipline with 12+ years of industry experience in pharmaceutical drug substance and/or drug product development.
• PhD in Chemistry or a related discipline with 8+ years of industry experience in pharmaceutical drug substance and/or drug product development.

• Demonstrated people leadership, including coaching and talent development.
• Strong scientific communication skills, creativity, and ability to influence through collaboration.
• Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional, team-based environments.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering results on firm timelines in support of development programs and regulatory filings.

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.

$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

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.

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

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

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a