Associate Director – Programmer, AI & Automation

MSD

Lead Programmer overseeing clinical database activities across multiple clinical programs in biopharmaceutical company. Collaborating with stakeholders and driving improvement initiatives in clinical data management.

Posted 6/7/2026full-timeRahway • New Jersey, Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $142,400 - $224,100 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Oversee and coordinate clinical database activities across multiple clinical programs, including review of eCRFs, edit check specifications, and database development
Ensure adherence to clinical database standards, SOPs, and process guidelines
Plan and manage timelines for database deliverables; identify and escalate risks appropriately
Interface with study teams and stakeholders to integrate requirements into deliverables
Align with CDS leadership to ensure consistency of technical strategies and execution
Lead and participate in improvement initiatives, including task forces, automations, and exploration of emerging digital capabilities (e.g., advanced analytics, AI-enabled tools)
Contribute strategies and innovative solutions to enhance processes and increase productivity, including the appropriate use of automation and data-driven approaches
Support testing and evaluation of new systems, tools, and capabilities
Coordinate and contribute to CDS technical initiatives that improve efficiency and scalability
Serve as subject matter expert (SME) in clinical database and EDC activities, including database development and data integration
Increase functional effectiveness by supporting efforts to simplify and standardize processes, including identifying opportunities for automation and improved data workflows
Provide technical guidance, best practices, and knowledge sharing across the team and broader organization
Provide oversight and guidance to Clinical Database Developers
Support recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and technical development of team members
Contribute to performance management input and capability development planning
Lead or contribute to functional and cross-functional meetings
Communicate clinical database processes, requirements, and risks effectively to stakeholders and vendors
Support alignment, decision-making, and continuous improvement efforts

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical clinical research / data management
Experience in clinical database development, EDC systems, and data management processes
Strong understanding of clinical database design, eCRFs, edit checks, and data collection frameworks
Knowledge of EDC and data management systems
Familiarity with clinical data standards, regulatory requirements, and GxP/ICH guidelines
Understanding of end-to-end clinical data lifecycle and data cleaning processes
Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills
Effective communication and ability to translate technical concepts clearly
Strong organizational, prioritization, and multi-project management skills
Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
High attention to detail and commitment to quality and compliance.
Preferred: Experience in technology implementation and/or system evaluation
Preferred: Exposure to automation tools, data workflows, and process optimization approaches
Preferred: Demonstrated awareness of emerging digital capabilities, including automation and AI, and their potential application within clinical data management
Ability to identify opportunities to improve processes using data-driven and automation approaches, while ensuring compliance within regulated environments

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
annual bonus and long-term incentive

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

clinical database developmentEDC systemsdata management processesclinical database designeCRFsedit checksdata collection frameworksdata cleaning processesautomation toolsprocess optimization

Soft Skills

stakeholder managementcross-functional collaborationeffective communicationorganizational skillsprioritizationmulti-project managementindependent workattention to detailcommitment to qualityproblem-solving

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Scienceequivalent experience