Associate Director, CSSM Systems Lead, Hybrid

Job Description

Our Clinical Research and Pharmacovigilance teams advance global healthcare through clinical research and innovation. In support of Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO), this role ensures effective execution of trial-level processes supported by technology by representing Clinical Sciences & Study Management (CSSM) user needs and driving adoption of business systems.

Position Description:

• The CSSM Systems Lead is responsible for representing trial-level operational needs and CSSM business processes in the design, implementation, and ongoing optimization of clinical systems. This role serves as a key liaison between CSSM users, Business System Owners (BSOs) for applicable systems, and IT to ensure systems effectively support trial execution.

 

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in relevant area

Experience:

• 2+ years of Clinical Sciences and Study Management experience (CSSM)
• SME Network Leadership
• Change & Adoption Leadership

While this role is part of Business Enablement Organization, under Regional Systems Team, the role will partner closely with the CSSM Center of Excellence (CoE) and CSSM Sr leadership team, to translate operational pain points, training needs, and process gaps into system and adoption priorities. This role is also responsible for ensuring alignment between business needs and enabling technologies. A key focus of the role is driving training, change management, data compliance, and user support to ensure consistent and compliant execution of trial-level activities across CSSM users. 

 

CORE Accountabilities and Duties:

 

Trial-Level Business Representation

• Represent CSSM and trial-level user needs in system enhancements, implementations, and ongoing optimization efforts.

• Act as a key liaison between CSSM Center of Excellence team, CSSM users, BSOs, systems SMEs and IT to ensure technology solutions align with trial execution requirements.

• Partner with Global Clinical Development process owners , CSSM CoE and CSSM leadership to ensure systems support end-to-end trial processes.

 

User Support & Issue Management

• Build and sustain a high-performing CSSM Systems SME network, enabling scalable user support, knowledge sharing, and consistent system utilization. Set clear expectations for type of support to be provided by these SMEs, define escalation pathway for users to follow for issues and how-to questions.

• Serve as a point of contact for CSSM Systems SMEs for system-related inquiries, issues, and escalations.  

• Collaborate with IT product teams, Technology Operations & Services (TOPS) team, and BSOs to troubleshoot system issues and identify root causes.

• Identify recurring challenges and drive improvements through system enhancements and /or process updates.

 

Training & Change Management

• Work with CSSM CoE, Regional Systems Leads (RSLs) and CSSM Systems SMEs to design and deliver training programs to support CSSM users across clinical systems and trial processes.

• Work with BSOs for applicable systems and tools to develop targeted training materials and communications to support new system implementations, enhancements, and process updates.

• Partner with Change Management teams to drive adoption and ensure effective transition to new ways of working and drive better system use.

 

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Analyze trial-level workflows to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for technology-enabled improvements.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives aligned to CSSM and trial execution needs.

• Support innovation pilots and contribute to the implementation of new digital or system capabilities.

 

Data Quality & Compliance Support

• Promote and support high-quality, timely, and compliant data entry within clinical systems (e.g., CTMS, eTMF).

• Partner with RSLs, CSSM Systems SMEs, Data Integration & Automation (DIA) team to address data quality issues and ensure adherence to Global Clinical Development procedures.

• Support activities related to data monitoring, issue resolution, and compliance readiness.

 

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Engage regularly with CSSM CoE, other CSSM stakeholders and trial teams to gather feedback and communicate updates.

• Analyze system usage, data quality, and user behavior trends to proactively identify risks, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities.

• Partner with CSSM CoE communications teams to ensure clear, effective messaging to CSSM users.

 

#eligibleforERP

#clinicaltrialjobs

Required Skills:

Change Management, Clinical Project Management, Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), Clinical Trials Operations, Communication, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Influencing Skills, Process Improvements, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Stakeholder Management, Training and Development

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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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

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

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:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

07/14/2026

*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.