Job Description

Executive Director, San Diego Discovery Biologics

Our company is seeking an exceptional and experienced scientist to lead the Discovery Biologics group at our research division in San Diego. The Executive Director of Discovery Biologics role carries responsibilities for progressing a locally led portfolio of biotherapeutic molecules in immunological diseases through discovery and into the clinic in collaboration with cross-functional research division scientists locally and across the network. Additionally, the individual will manage a local team driving protein engineering, production, and characterization and work collaboratively across the Discovery Biologics network to invent new biotherapeutic medicines. The position reports into the VP Head of Discovery Biologics and is a member of the Discovery Biologics Leadership Team responsible for the global biotherapeutics discovery strategy, tactics, and cross-network talent development. The role is a key interface with other drug discovery and development scientists and functions within our company as well as with external academic and industrial partners.

We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviors in working with a diverse group of scientists to drive our core mission.

Required Experience

PhD or equivalent and minimum 15 years of industry experience including significant leadership and managerial roles advancing protein therapeutics through discovery and early development.

Required skills:

Clear evidence of advancing a biotherapeutic pipeline and driving platform innovations
Deep end-to-end knowledge of biotherapeutic discovery and development
Line management experience of groups of 5+
Demonstrated passion for team building and a track record of talent development
Champion for diverse and inclusive culture
Outstanding communication and collaboration skills and demonstrated ability to operate technically, tactically, and strategically with an enterprise mindset. Someone who works effectively in a matrix organization and builds trust and credibility at all levels and with the ability to identify and capitalize on synergies across organizational or functional interfaces
Has established a strong external reputation and network

Key Responsibilities

Sets the vision and strategy for the San Diego Protein Sciences group to drive performance and deliver impact on projects and for platform capabilities that accelerate our ability to invent biologics medicines.
Responsible for managing priorities, resources, and investments aligned with the greater Discovery Biologics strategy
Augment capacity and capabilities advancement through effective outsourcing and external partnerships
Actively develops talent, strategically maximizes diversity to complement and strengthen their team
Fosters a high-performance culture of collaboration, engagement, self-accountability and inclusion
As a member of the Discovery Biologics Leadership Team, meaningfully contribute to the development and execution of departmental strategy and to the growth and development of all DB staff.
Effectively partners with leadership across Discovery Biologics and our other research division functions to achieve organizational objectives.
Participates on multiple network governance committees and workstreams to ensure alignment and
Stays abreast of external advancements in the relevant scientific fields
Promotes the external reputation of our Company's Discovery Biologics

Preferred Experience and Skills

Deep and broad understanding of biologics discovery workflows and processes including expert-level knowledge of one or more of: Antibody and antibody-like molecule discovery workflows, protein display technologies, protein engineering, protein expression systems, protein purification, protein characterization/biophysics, cell-therapy technologies
Strong understanding of immunologic pathways, diseases, and therapies
Track record of developing and implementing strategies to increase capacity and quality of molecules in a resource-effective manner, including outsourcing and automation.
Track record in advancing platform capabilities that create new opportunities for molecular invention
Strong partnering skills and ability to identify and capitalize on synergies across organizational or functional interfaces
Experience in effective management of external resources and collaborations
Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate others and drive performance and behavioral changes through influence
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to drive decisions at all levels; strategy, tactics, technical, and operational
Track record of personal growth and expansion of domain knowledge

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:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement

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

$227,300.00 - $357,900.00

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:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Required Skills:

Biologics, Biotherapeutics, Communication, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), Drug Discovery Process, Influence, Innovation, People Leadership, Protein Characterization, Protein Engineering, Protein Production, Strategic

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

09/5/2025

*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.

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