Executive Director – Clinical Data Management

MSD

Executive Director leading global geographic strategy and overseeing multiple regions in clinical data management. Responsible for driving global alignment, operational readiness, and capability growth across regions.

Posted 5/21/2026full-timeZurich • 🇨🇭 SwitzerlandLeadWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Google Cloud Platform

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Reporting directly to the Head of their assigned functional area and acting as a member of their Leadership Team
Leads global geographic strategy and performance across assigned region / geography
Responsible for translating functional area and GDMS strategic imperatives into region-specific priorities and plans
Partners with GDMS and GCTO leaders to drive global alignment, standardization, and transformation of data-management practices
Represents their function and geography network in GDMS LT forums, and ensures resource excellence, capability growth, and operational readiness worldwide
Collaborates with cross-functional (non-GDMS) leadership and enterprise support functions within assigned geographies to achieve strategic and operational goals and objectives
Embeds process-excellence and governance frameworks across regions
Shapes and implements digitally enabled operating models; drives global alignment, standardization, and transformation
Champions a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability across the network; ensures ongoing improvement and operational excellence
Partners with leaders across GDMS, GCTO, and Global Clinical Development (GCD) to drive consistent rollout / adoption of capabilities
Oversees performance governance, financial discipline, and global talent planning; sponsors leadership development and succession
Ensures consistent operational execution, quality, and compliance across assigned geographies

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of bachelor's degree with 10+ years of leadership experience
Enterprise-level expertise in GDMS data operations, governance, and digital enablement strategy
Strong understanding of end-to-end data management processes and systems used for data collection, application of data standards, cleaning/review, reporting, governance, and use of operational and quality metrics to monitor performance
Proven experience implementing risk-based and digital data practices across multiple regions; ability to integrate regional business intelligence into enterprise-level strategy
Deep understanding of inspection/audit processes and ability to contribute to audit readiness
Deep knowledge of ICH/GCP (International Council of Harmonization - Good Clinical Practices) guidelines and how they apply to clinical or safety data management activities
Deep understanding of quality standards and frameworks across GDMS/ GCTO; experience with data standards, data flow, and study start-up systems; ability to define and implement standards for integration, reuse, and scalability of data, tools, and solutions across regions
Advanced knowledge of data management industry best practices, innovation levers, and regulatory evolution shaping data management globally
Deep expertise in data-product governance (definitions, lineage, quality controls, lifecycle) to maintain a global single source of truth; deep understanding of clinical trial lifecycle
Advanced knowledge of regional risk, escalation, and capacity-management processes
Advanced ability to use analytical and forecasting tools (dashboards, capacity models) to inform resourcing, planning, and operational decisions
Ability to implement and execute inspection-readiness practices in collaboration with Process & Quality partners
Demonstrated ability to drive high-quality clinical data collection design, validation and delivery in alignment with protocol requirements.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid
Professional Development Opportunities

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

GDMS data operationsdata management processesdigital enablement strategyrisk-based data practicesinspection/audit processesICH/GCP guidelinesdata standardsdata-product governanceanalytical toolsforecasting tools

Soft Skills

leadershipcollaborationinnovationaccountabilityoperational excellencestrategic planningcross-functional collaborationresource excellencecapability growthfinancial discipline

Certifications

bachelor's degree