Executive Director, Global Animal Health R&D

Job Description

Role Summary:

• Direct and to be accountable for the global program of biological Research and Development (R&D) within the field of Companion Animal (CA) Health leading to the timely launch of commercially viable CA health products.

• Manage the personnel dedicated to the CA Biologicals R&D.

• To oversee management of the R&D facilities on the Elkhorn site.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Drives, in collaboration with Global Marketing, the strategic plan for Companion Animal (CA) Health striving for a leading market position.

• Applies in depth knowledge of the principles of vaccine development for CA, CA production around the globe, disease occurrences, epidemiology, disease prevention, up-to-date CA veterinary practices, health products and competitor R&D programs.

• Confers and aligns with the relevant species heads on non-CA research projects performed on R&D sites the Executive Director is responsible for.

• Applies knowledge of regulatory and administrative implications of clinical field trials.

• Applies knowledge of the production environment and the requirements for product transfer from R&D to the GSC organization

• In - depth knowledge of regulatory affairs and administrative implications of product registration globally.

• Establish and maintain a close cooperation with the relevant commercial, veterinary services, regulatory affairs and production departments within the company. Participation in strategic planning and implementation. Is co-chair of CA Species portfolio team and a member of the Bio R&D Management team

• Establishes and maintains contact with all relevant national and international organizations and institutes.

• In depth knowledge and an eagerness to license certain technologies and developments and take an active role in the patenting process within CA animal health

• A sound knowledge and understanding of all CA biologicals R&D projects including timelines, feasibility and project leader responsibilities

• Responsible for the Performance Management and Development dialogues for the direct reports and in addition ultimately responsible that all the dialogues within the CA R&D departments or functionalities are professionally and timely carried out and reported

• Ultimately responsible for the timely preparation of progress and subject reports according to agreed plans, milestone concepts and company guidelines

• Responsible for the budgets for both internal and external CA R&D

• Responsible for the budgets for the R&D facilities at the indicated sites.

• Coordination, guidance and supervision of project oriented activities of his colleagues, as well as their adequate and continuous development and training

• Participation in and representation of the company at specialized international congresses, conferences, seminars, trade shows and workshops with poster and oral presentations

• Responsible to ensure that all R&D activities are optimized in order to effect a speedy and efficient registration process

• Responsible for the correct and timely use of project status reporting within the CA R&D organization

• Signals and takes the initiative to start new projects, maintains contacts with external R&D organizations and finalizes R&D contracts with third parties and monitors progress of external projects

• Is responsible for the decision making for feasibility phase projects and preparation of project proposals for development stage projects

• Active involvement in technology transfer from R&D phase to production and QC

• Active bridging of knowledge and information flow between CA and other R&D groups as well as the GTO groups

Role Competencies:

• Results orientation: The constant drive to achieve and exceed personal and organizational objectives. Takes all actions necessary to deliver the expected results (and more) on time.

• Customer focus: The ability and desire to look at the organization and the way it conducts business from the customer’s perspective. Proactively serves customers and meets or exceeds their expectations. A “customer” can be either internal or external.

• Innovation: The ability to see beyond the immediate job assignment and constantly generate and apply new ideas which can improve products, processes and systems and which will benefit the company. Recognizes and seizes improvement opportunities and challenges the status quo.

• Teamwork: Working cooperatively with others, sharing knowledge and experience in order to attain goals in a more effective way. Crosses functional, geographical, cultural or other boarders in working with others. Encourages teamwork and synergies throughout the organization.

• Commitment to values: The ability to stand up for personal and organizational values and principles, even in difficult situations. Is fair, honest and reliable. The ability to link decision making and actions to company and business unit values.

Education:

• PhD in a related field of study. DVM would be a plus

Required:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience in the Animal Health industry. Prior experience in companion animal sector would be a plus.

• Demonstrated ability and experience managing cross-functional teams at multiple levels within an international environment.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

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:

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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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$250,800.00 - $394,800.00

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

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
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:

Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Required Skills:

Assay Development, Biochemical Assays, Biochemistry, Biomarker Discovery, Business, Cell Biology, Change Management, Chemical Biology, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Ethical Compliance, Functional Genomics, Innovation, Management Process, Mentoring Staff, Professional Networking, Results-Oriented, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Decisions

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/24/2025

*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.

Requisition ID: R357531