Associate Director, IT Strategic Programs

Job DescriptionOur IT team operates as a business partner proposing ideas and innovative solutions that enable new organizational capabilities. We collaborate internationally to deliver the services and solutions that help everyone to be more productive and enable innovation.As Technical Architect you will lead a technically adept innovation squad to drive accelerated prototyping and innovation within our R&D IT function. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Programs in the Enablement and User Advocacy (EUA) Value team within our Company Research Laboratories IT, this position will be responsible for problem discovery and rapid development and validation of digital solutions using AI, Generative AI, and modern hyper-automation technologies to accelerate drug discovery, development, and R&D operations.The successful candidate will also focus on driving strategic programs for the enterprise and enabling our Value Teams while bringing new capabilities to Research Laboratories IT by partnering with business and IT leaders across our Company Research Laboratories.Primary Tasks:* Develop a good understanding of our company's biopharmaceutical R&D business processes, systems, and data* Collaborate with R&D business users, SMEs, and the IT product teams to identify high-impact opportunities where AI/GenAI and Hyper automation can accelerate R&D timelines and improve data-driven decision-making* Collaborate with cross-functional value teams, including business technology partners, product managers, data scientists, and software engineers, to understand requirements* Spearhead rapid ideation, design, and development of digital solution prototypes that address critical challenges.* Be a role model by creating a culture of curiosity, learning, building, and experimentation* Lead a multidisciplinary squad of AI/ML engineers, software developers, data scientists, data engineers, and automation experts to deliver scalable prototypes aligned with R&D priorities* Continuously evaluate emerging AI, GenAI, and hyper-automation platforms relevant to biopharma R&D (e.g., NLP for scientific literature mining, AI for molecular design, robotic process automation for lab workflows)* Implement agile methodologies tailored to R&D environments to ensure rapid iteration, validation, and refinement of prototypes* Ensure all prototyping activities comply with industry regulations (e.g., FDA, EMA), data privacy standards, and internal governance policies* Partner closely with R&D leadership, IT governance, and external collaborators to align innovation efforts with strategic goals and ensure smooth transition of prototypes into production* Define KPIs to assess prototype impact on R&D functions' efficiency, data quality, and innovation velocity* Drive execution against implementation plans while minimizing disruptions to normal business operations* Collaborate with and influence business and IT leads to prioritize and coordinate activities across functional areas, and proactively manage risks and issues* Ensure optimal vendor performance inclusive of delivery, risk and issue management, and product development to ensure delivery of expected value realization* Ensure proper resourcing to provide optimum support for activities and changing prioritiesEducation* Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or any Technology Stream, or equivalent relevant experienceRequired Qualifications and Skills* 10+ years prior experience in Enterprise, Business, Information, Systems & Application or Solution Architecture* Proven experience leading innovation or rapid prototyping teams within Biopharmaceutical R&D IT or related scientific research environments* Strong expertise in AI/ML, Generative AI (e.g., GPT models for scientific text generation), and hyper-automation technologies applied to life sciences* Familiarity with biopharma R&D processes, including drug discovery, clinical trials, and regulatory requirements* Technical proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), data engineering, and software development best practices* Experience with agile frameworks and lean innovation methodologies in regulated environments* Proven experience successfully delivering complex projects in a fast-paced environment* Strong understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques, including Agile* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with global cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and external vendors* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a pragmatic approach to addressing challenges* Solid organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously under minimal supervision* 10+ years prior experience in Enterprise, Business, Information, Systems & Application or Solution Architecture* 5+ years prior experience in a health authority regulated environment* Proven experience successfully delivering complex projects in a fast-paced environment* Strong understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques, including Agile* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with global cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and external vendors* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a pragmatic approach to addressing challenges* Solid organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously under minimal supervisionPreferred Qualifications and Skills* Strong problem-solvers who are entrepreneurial, agile, and adaptable, with a strong growth-mindset* Able to move fast, oriented towards running experiments, thrive in ambiguity and uncertainty, and have a strong 'nose' for opportunity* Previous experience of running a digital innovation squad**Required Skills:**Biopharmaceutical Industry, Business Administration, Business Processes, Communication, Computer Science, Data Engineering, Generative AI, Information Systems Management, IT Governance, IT Performance Management, IT Project Lifecycle, Management Process, Measurement Analysis, Portfolio, Programme, and Project Support, Program Management, Prototyping, Risk Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Program Management, Waterfall Model**Preferred Skills:**Current Employees applyCurrent Contingent Workers apply**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:****VISA Sponsorship:****Travel Requirements:****Flexible Work Arrangements:**Hybrid**Shift:****Valid Driving License:****Hazardous Material(s):****Job Posting End Date:**12/21/2025**\*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.**#J-18808-Ljbffr