✦ Luna Orbit — Project & Program Management

Director, DSCS Digital Technologies Program Manager

at Merck

📍 USA - New Jersey - Rahway Hybrid 💰 $173K – $272K USD / year Posted April 15, 2026
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Position Details

Salary $173K – $272K USD / year
Type Full-Time
Experience executive
Exp. Years Ph.D. with +6 years or B.S. with +8 years required
Education Ph.D. or B.S. (concentration in a scientific-related discipline strongly preferred)
Category Project & Program Management

About this role

This role manages DSCS Digital Technologies programs by building an integrated program/project structure to drive faster execution and reliable delivery. The program manager oversees Stage Gate use-case governance, change management across stage gates, critical path delivery, KPI/value realization tracking, and capital governance engagements.

Key Responsibilities

  • Build and lead Program/Project Management structure; track KPIs, risks, issues, mitigation, and value realization
  • Manage Stage Gate process for Use-Cases with cross-functional workshops
  • Drive Change Management activities aligned to each stage gate
  • Maintain DDT Critical Path view and optimize program execution by managing risks/issues
  • Lead capital project engagements for capital governance and ensure spend vs budget documentation

Technical Overview

The technical scope focuses on digital technology program leadership rather than software implementation: integrated planning, dependency management (including IT and Finance), Stage Gate governance, critical path delivery management, and implementation of use-case metrics to quantify value realization. It also requires aligning digital initiatives with change management strategy and capital governance processes.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a scientific Ph.D. (or B.S.)-level R&D professional with 6+ years (Ph.D.) or 8+ years (B.S.) who has led digital technology programs in a regulated R&D/clinical supply environment. They will bring strong program/project management capabilities, including Stage Gate execution, change management, critical path delivery oversight, KPI tracking, and capital governance leadership.

Must-Have Skills

Ph.D. with +6 years or B.S. with +8 years requiredstrong project management and problem-solving skillsR&D experience in drug substance or product developmentor analytical researchbuild and lead a Program/Project Management structuremanage the Stage Gate process for Use-Casesdrive Change Management activities associated for each of the stage gatesmaintain view of DDT Critical Path for delivery and focus on risks/issuesserve as Capital Project Team lead for engagements with capital governance

Nice-to-Have Skills

experience implementing digital solutionspassion for digital solutions

Required Skills

Digital Technologies Program ManagementProgram/Project ManagementKPIs trackingrisk and issue mitigation planningStage Gate processUse-CasesChange ManagementDDT Critical Pathcapital projectscapital governancegovernance processesspend vs budgetuse-case metricstracking mechanismcomplex presentationsdrug substanceproduct developmentanalytical research

Hard Skills

digital technology program managementprogram/project management structure buildingKPIs trackingrisk and issue mitigation planningvalue realization quantificationdependencies managementStage Gate process managementcross-functional meetings and workshops facilitationchange management associated for stage gatescritical path managementcapital project team leadcapital governance engagementsgovernance processes applicationorganizational spend vs budget documentationuse-case metrics developmenttracking mechanism implementationcomplex presentations developmentintra-divisional communicationsinter-divisional communicationsR&D experience in drug substance or product developmentanalytical research

Soft Skills

leadershipproblem-solvingoperational excellence focusstakeholder collaboration across functional teamschange management leadershipcommunication through complex presentationscross-functional workshop facilitation

Industry & Role

Industry Manufacturing
Job Function Lead DSCS Digital Technologies program execution through governance (Stage Gates), delivery planning (critical path), change management, and KPI/value realization oversight.
Role Subtype Program Manager

Keywords for Your Resume

Digital Technologies Program ManagerDSCS Digital TechnologiesProgram/Project Managementoperational excellencecapital projectsChange ManagementStage Gate processUse-Casescross-functional meetingsworkshopsDDT Critical Pathrisks/issuesmitigation plansKPIsvalue realizationcapital governancespend vs budgetuse-case metricsdigital strategydependenciesITFinancepresentationsdrug substanceproduct developmentanalytical researchPh.D.B.S.Digital Technologies

Deal Breakers

Must meet education + years requirement: Ph.D. with +6 years or B.S. with +8 years required, Must have R&D experience in drug substance or product development, or analytical research, Must be able to run the Stage Gate process for Use-Cases and drive change management tied to stage gates

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