Senior Specialist, Project Management, Research Initiation and Budget Execution

Job Description

Role Summary

The Senior Specialist, Non-Interventional Research Management (NIRM) - Research Initiation and Budget Execution (RIBE), position resides in the Value & Implementation (V&I) organization, which includes Global Medical and Scientific Affairs as well as Outcomes Research (OR). This position, under the supervision of an Associate Director of the RIBE Team will provide sourcing and contracting support as well as budget and forecast management for a V&I OR Therapeutic Area.-The Senior Specialist will work in collaboration with cross-functional partners including Global Research Management, Procurement, Compliance, the Non-Interventional Research Excellence and Governance (NREG) team, and others.---

Responsibilities and Primary Activities

Study or Project-Level Sourcing and Contract Management------

• Provides support in the planning and startup activities related to the sourcing and contracting of an observational or non-interventional research project through collaboration with Procurement.
• Assists OR leads in the preparation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), assisting in the bid evaluations and the review of project scopes and associated budgets. Proactively identifies, troubleshoots and resolves emerging challenges and works toward timely resolution.
• Provides supplier/vendor oversight to ensure timely completion of supplier tasks and input.
• Troubleshoots sourcing/study issues as they arise and work to bring to timely resolution.
• Provides support for project-level compliance reviews [e.g., Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC) Due Diligence, Denied Party Screening (DPS)] to uphold regulatory standards.
• Works with the supplier to provide the necessary documentation to support a Fair Market Value (FMV) assessment when required for project budgets. Reviews documentation before it is sent for official FMV review. Track the progress of projects within the FMV review cycle to ensure completion within required timelines.
• Provides input to management on process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

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Budget and Financial Responsibilities

• Partners closely with scientists to facilitate the budgeting process, ensuring accurate payment processing and forecasting for upcoming projects or studies.
• Monitors and tracks invoices against the established payment schedule, promptly addressing any queries related to milestone deliverables to ensure timely resolutions.
• Collaborates with Outcomes Research Scientists to provide real-time updates to the official forecast within System Analysis Program Development (SAP), reflecting the annual budget for each project accurately.
• Assists Outcomes Research Scientists with inquiries regarding the timing of invoices, acting as an effective liaison if needed between vendors and our company's Source to Settle team to resolve issues.
• Maintains meticulous records of sourcing projects and conduct thorough analyses of sourcing and financial data to inform decision-making and enhance efficiency.
• Contributes to the formulation of the annual plan, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and resource allocation.
• Monitors the progress of all projects, ensuring that both internal and external stakeholders are kept informed with timely updates on project status.
• Facilitates budget discussions with Executive Directors as necessary, focusing on monitoring, reviewing and mitigating financial risks associated with the organization's projects.
• Proactively troubleshoots discrepancies or potential financial issues as they arise, conducting thorough investigations to achieve resolutions.

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Other Responsibilities

• Provides potential project management support for various improvement initiatives within the team, contributing to process enhancements and goal achievement.
• Creates and maintains comprehensive training documents and checklists to ensure staff are equipped with the necessary resources and knowledge.
• Oversees and maintains departmental SharePoint sites, ensuring that resources are organized, accessible, and up to date for team members.

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Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Minimum

• A bachelor's degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, biological sciences, business, or a closely related discipline.
• A master's degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, biological sciences, or a related field is preferred but not mandatory.
• Three years of experience in supporting the operational aspects of clinical or observational research, or equivalent experience in a related area.
• Experience in budgeting and tracking invoices, showcasing the ability to manage financial processes efficiently.
• Understanding of purchase orders, invoices, and associated financial documentation to support smooth transaction process.
• Understanding of Fair Market Value (FMV) principles and practices as they relate to research and contracting.
• Strong project-management skills with a proven ability to prioritize tasks effectively, ensuring timely delivery of project milestones.
• Ability to work independently while identifying and raising recommendations to management as needed to resolve issues efficiently.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across geographic locations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, paired with strong interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with internal stakeholders and fostering positive working relationships.
• Proven flexibility to adjust to a rapidly changing environment of new opportunities. Ability to deal with ambiguity and embrace change.
• Working knowledge of SAP is helpful but not required.

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Preferred

• Pharmaceutical experience.
• Experience with contracting and purchasing activities.
• Financial forecasting experience.
• Intermediate-level Excel user - Pivot tables and comfortable working with large data sets.

#eligibleforERP

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Biological Sciences, Budget Management, Compliance Reviews, Contract Management, Feasibility Studies, Financial Forecasting, Financial Management, Management Process, Performance Monitoring, Pharmaceutical Guidelines, Process Improvement Projects, Process Improvements, Procurement, Project Management, Project Planning, Real World Evidence (RWE), Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Self Motivation, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Team Management

Preferred Skills:

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
$106,200.00 - $167,200.00

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 .

You can apply for this role through (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:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
03/9/2026
*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.

Requisition ID: R386351