Associate Director – CMC Data Steward – DSCS Digital

Job Description

Digital is the multiplier that will allow DSCS to deliver better experiments faster, efficient filing and launch, more robust supply chains and higher-confidence decisions across the portfolio. The DSCS Digital Technologies organization is tasked with the mission to pioneer and deploy innovative digital technologies that drive the acquisition, automation and utilization of data to enhance insights, efficiency, and quality of DSCS processes and methods.

DSCS Digital Technologies is seeking an experienced Data Steward to drive the quality, consistency, usability, and business value of critical data assets across the Pharmaceutical CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) landscape. This role serves as the bridge among business functions, data owners, process owners, and technology teams to ensure that data across the CMC enterprise is governed as a strategic asset, enabling our digital ambitions.

The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in data stewardship, master data, and governance frameworks.  They will be distinguished by their ability to synthesize regulatory-compliant business policies and operational rules into coherent data standards and governance solutions across diverse business functions, data domains, and systems.

Responsibilities

Define, implement, and continuously improve data governance standards, policies, stewardship processes, and controls across CMC business domains.

Partner with Data Owners and Business Process Owners across the CMC continuum to establish scalable governance practices that enable both compliance and business agility.

Lead efforts to standardize critical data elements, metadata, taxonomies, master and reference data, and business terminology across the CMC digital landscape.

Translate complex business needs into data governance requirements and implementation roadmaps.

Develop stewardship frameworks that improve data accuracy, completeness, consistency, integrity, and traceability.

Define data lineage and accountability models for critical business data.

Partner with Manufacturing, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and IT teams to ensure data assets are appropriately governed for regulatory submissions and inspections, advanced analytics, machine learning, predictive modeling, and AI applications.

Influence future-state architecture decisions through a strong understanding of business needs and data strategy.

Required experience

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Data Management, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field.

3+ years of experience in data governance and/or data management

Experience operating in highly regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences environments.

Demonstrated success leading cross-functional governance initiatives involving multiple business domains and technology platforms.

Strong understanding of data quality, metadata management, master data, business rules management, and governance frameworks.

Proven ability to translate complex business requirements into scalable governance solutions.

Excellent facilitation, stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.

Preferred experience

Experience supporting digital transformation initiatives involving cloud platforms, advanced analytics, AI/ML, or intelligent automation.

Knowledge of pharmaceutical standards, controlled vocabularies, and regulatory requirements relevant to CMC data management.

Required Skills:

CMC Strategy, Cross-Functional Leadership, Data Governance, Data Lifecycle, Data Quality, Data Stewardship, Governance Framework, Metadata Management, Policy Making, Regulatory Compliance, Stakeholder Alignment, Systems Thinking

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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The salary range for this role is

$129,000.00 - $203,100.00

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

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:

08/15/2026 *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:R407849