Asso. Dir, Business Excellence PMO

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a high-impact Associate Director, Project Management . The role will be responsible for driving strategic planning and execution, managing BE key initiatives, overseeing budget and operations, and enabling transformation to drive Agile ways of working.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the Business Excellence department’s strategic priorities and roadmap
• Drive annual and long-term planning, including initiative prioritization
• Establish governance mechanisms to orchestrate and track strategic initiatives, ensuring delivery against timelines, milestones, and OKRs
• Act as a central coordination point across teams to drive execution excellence
• Support business case development and drive value realization for strategic programs
• Facilitate effective communication and reporting of project progress to senior leadership
• Lead departmental budgeting, financial planning, and expense tracking processes, Ensuring optimal allocation of resources to strategic priorities and initiatives
• Design and manage internal communication strategies to enhance visibility and impact of Business Excellence initiatives
• Lead planning and execution of department-level events, workshops, and leadership engagements Drive Agile transformation initiatives across the function, fostering modern, collaborative ways of working
• Establish governance, processes, and roles to enhance delivery effectiveness.

Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in strategy, consulting, business excellence, or transformation roles, prior experience in a top-tier consulting firm strongly preferred Experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, or life sciences industry is a strong plus
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional, large-scale strategic or transformation initiatives

Core Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong project/program management capabilities
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across functions
• Strong communication and storytelling skills Experience in data analytics, digital, or AI-driven initiatives is preferred
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and change management Required Skills: Business Acumen, Business Decisions, Data Analysis, Department Budgeting, Expense Tracking, Financial Management, Innovative Solutions, Knowledge Management, Project Management, Risk Management, Strategic Planning Preferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE 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.

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Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status

Regular Relocation: No relocation VISA Sponsorship: No Travel Requirements: No Travel Required Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Not Indicated Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): n/a Job Posting End Date: 11/30/2026 *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.