[Hiring] Manager, Life Science GSA Program Management @The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Role Description

As Manager of the PMO Team within Life Science Global Strategic Accounts (GSA) you will lead a high-impact project management team for a Region dedicated to our most strategic customers – our Global Strategic Accounts – enhancing their experience, satisfying their needs, improving our internal ways of working, and delivering on our commitments. You are a highly influential leader who excels at operational leadership and develops strong relationships across a highly matrixed account team.

• Strong understanding of PMO governance, portfolio management, resource planning, risk management, change management, with strong executive presence.
• Work in close partnership with our customer facing team, including direct partnership with our GSA commercial leadership, regions, and cross functional business partners.
• Ensure the PMO team understands the Life Science strategy and each customer strategy.
• Take responsibility for creating disciplined action plans and enabling rigorous execution of the strategic plan and associated initiatives spanning the Life Science portfolio, across multiple customers simultaneously.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent PMO certifications (Ex: PMP, PgMP, Agile, Lean, or Six Sigma).
• 7-10+ years of experience leading, coaching, or managing project managers, program managers, analysts, or cross-functional project teams in Life Science, pharma, biopharma, or related across a complex matrix organization.
• Strong understanding of PMO governance, portfolio management, resource planning, risk management, change management, and executive reporting.
• Ability to simplify complexity, connect strategy to execution, and translate data into practical recommendations for senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority, build trust across functions, and move work forward in ambiguity.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills.
• Skilled in using AI and digital tools to improve productivity, reporting quality, decision support, and team effectiveness.
• Fluent in English.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed. (<10%)

Requirements

• Advanced degree (preferred).
• AI Certifications (preferred).
• Proficiency with project management, collaboration, and analytics tools; experience with Power BI, Tableau, Microsoft Project, Planner, Teams, SharePoint, or similar tools (preferred).
• RFQ, RFP, MSA processing experience (preferred).

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Retirement contributions.
• Other perquisites.