Executive Director, Asset Development

MSD

Executive Director responsible for strategic oversight and delivery in oncology drug development at Merck. Leading cross-functional teams to maximize asset potential in drug lifecycle management.

Posted 5/13/2026full-timeNorth Wales • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $310,900 - $489,400 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Primary responsibility for strategy, oversight, and delivery of end-to-end activities involving new or marketed drug(s) for oncology indications
Leads the team responsible for cross-functional delivery of critical milestones in an oncology asset’s lifecycle
Creation, alignment, execution, and adaptation of the asset strategy cross-functionally
Lead the asset development team to maximize the asset’s potential
Identifying registrational opportunities for pre-clinical and early clinical candidates
Evaluating pre-clinical and translational work for purpose of strategizing early clinical development plan
Developing clinical development strategies for investigational or marketed assets
Prioritizing clinical trials based on these clinical development strategies
Support asset specific biomarker strategy and diagnostic readiness
Support asset specific safety management
Leading development and communication of the messaging around the asset and asset strategy
Participation in internal and joint internal/external research project teams relevant to new compounds or marketed compounds
Manage other Directors and/or Senior Directors on the asset development team
Mentoring and career development for direct reports
Work across teams and functions internally and/or externally
Manage a complex matrix of internal stakeholders
Travel on company business about twenty (20) percent of the time

Requirements

What you’ll need

M.D., or MD/PhD with experience in oncology
Minimum of 5 years of industry experience in drug development in a relevant therapeutic area
Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience
Designed, executed, and reported out phase 3 or registrational studies
Supported or led submission activities for labels
Supported in post approval launch readiness such as publication planning, guideline submission, HTA negotiations
Navigating a matrixed structure including shepherding studies/concepts through internal governance boards
Expertise as clinical lead for interactions with regulatory agencies
Experience preferred for the following: dose justification; phase 3 design; BLA/sBLA, global submissions and diagnostic use
Understanding the impact of drug manufacturing parameters on drug development execution
Management of external Key Opinion Leaders in Clinical Development and Medical Affairs activities
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to function in a team environment
High level of verbal and written communication, including presentation skills
Strong learning agility and growth mindset
Experience with multiple modalities of therapies (biologics, small molecules, etc.)

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
retirement benefits, including 401(k)
paid holidays
vacation
compassionate and sick days

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

drug developmentclinical experiencephase 3 studiesregistrational studiessubmission activitiespublication planningHTA negotiationsdose justificationBLA/sBLAdiagnostic use

Soft Skills

interpersonal skillsteam collaborationverbal communicationwritten communicationpresentation skillslearning agilitygrowth mindsetmentoringleadershipstakeholder management

Certifications

M.D.MD/PhD