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Position Summary The Associate Director, Drug Development Excellence supports the advancement of Drug Development (DD) strategy and enables consistent, high-quality execution across high priority cross-functional strategic initiatives. This role partners with business leaders and subject matter experts across Drug Development domains to translate strategic goals into practical frameworks, operating models, process improvements, and improved ways of working that drive measurable and sustainable outcomes across the portfolio. An important focus of this role is the deep analysis of end-to-end processes and ways of working—integrating performance metrics and KPIs to identify gaps and opportunities, and driving improvement through process re-engineering and digital enablement as BMS advances toward an AI-enabled Drug Development operating model. This role reports to the Executive Director, Drug Development Excellence and operates within a highly matrixed, cross-functional environment.
Key Responsibilities Process & Ways of Working Analysis
• Conduct deep, data-driven analysis of end-to-end Drug Development processes and ways of working to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, capability gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Translate process analysis insights into actionable recommendations, connecting process health to KPIs and strategic performance outcomes.
• Map, document, and maintain process maps and standard operating frameworks to drive efficient day-to-day execution and organizational clarity.
• Apply fit-for-purpose process re-engineering methodologies to redesign workflows, eliminate waste, and improve quality, speed, capacity and value.
Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
• Partner with cross-functional business leaders and subject matter experts to establish, monitor, and report on KPIs and performance metrics that track critical health indicators against strategic targets.
• Support the design and evolution of performance management frameworks in alignment with Portfolio Insights & Reporting (PIR) and broader DD Excellence priorities.
• Leverage data and analytics tools and root cause analyses to surface performance trends, risks, and opportunities, and inform prioritization and improvement actions.
• Project manage and drive strategic execution of initiatives end-to-end, with clearly defined scope, project plans, allocated resources, and value realization.
Digital Enablement & AI-Ready Operations
• Identify and embed relevant technologies, workflow automation tools, and digital solutions that enhance process performance and move DD toward an AI-enabled operating model.
• Partner with AI Enablement and technology stakeholders to ensure digital tools are integrated as part of broader process and capability solutions, not standalone enablers.
• Maintain knowledge of external best practices, frameworks, and emerging tools in process management, performance management, and digital operations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Change Enablement
• Collaborate with functional leads and process owners across Drug Development (e.g., Clinical Development, Trial Operations, Biostatistics, Regulatory, Safety) to drive strategic alignment and operational excellence from a people, process, technology perspective.
• Shape and support change management activities to ensure adoption and sustainability of new operating models, capabilities, and new ways of working.
• Contribute to communities of practice and capability-building efforts that foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across DD functions.
Qualifications & Experience
• BA/BS degree required; advanced degree in a related discipline preferred (e.g., Life Sciences, Business, MBA, MS, PhD, PharmD).
• 5-7 years of experience in operational excellence, process improvement, or strategy execution roles within the pharmaceutical industry; experience within Drug Development functions (Clinical Development, Trial Operations, Biostatistics, Regulatory, Safety, or Project Management) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct deep process and ways-of-working analysis, connecting process health to KPIs and operational outcomes.
• Experience with process re-engineering methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma); certification a plus but not required.
• Familiarity with project management and process modeling tools (e.g., ADONIS, OnePlan, MS Project); exposure to workflow automation or digital enablement tools a plus.
• Experience with performance management frameworks, data analytics, and root cause analyses to drive insight-led decision making.
• Demonstrated curiosity and working knowledge of AI and emerging technologies as applied to Drug Development operations; ability to critically assess opportunities for AI and digital enablement to improve processes and ways of working, and to engage credibly with technical and data science partners on implementation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization—including the ability to listen, synthesize requirements, and convey information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams, facilitate discussions, and influence stakeholders to drive process improvement initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• High proficiency in critical thinking, problem-solving, and structured decision making.
• Demonstrated innovation, flexibility, and adaptability to meet objectives in a rapidly changing and often uncertain environment with shifting priorities.
• High service orientation and track record of delivering results with a commitment to quality.
• Ability to build trusting relationships and work effectively across divisions, diverse business backgrounds, and cultures.
If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.
Compensation Overview:
Madison - Giralda - NJ - US: $156,890 - $190,117 Princeton - NJ - US: $156,890 - $190,117
The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience.
Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.
Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans in effect at the time and may require enrollment. Our benefits include:
• Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
• Wellbeing Support: Programs such as BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
• Financial Well-being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support.
Work-life benefits include: Paid Time Off
• US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees)
• Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays
Based on eligibility*, additional time off for employees may include unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day.
All global employees full and part-time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year are eligible to take advantage of the Global Shutdown.
*Eligibility Disclosure: The summer hours program is for United States (U.S.) office-based employees due to the unique nature of their work. Summer hours are generally not available for field sales and manufacturing operations and may also be limited for the capability centers. Employees in remote-by-design or lab-based roles may be eligible for summer hours, depending on the nature of their work, and should discuss eligibility with their manager. Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should consult that document to determine if they are eligible. Contractors, leased workers and other service providers are not eligible to participate in the program.
Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture, promoting global participation in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.
On-site Protocol BMS has an occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:
Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.
Supporting People with Disabilities BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.
Candidate Rights BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.
If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/
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R1603887 : Associate Director, Drug Development Excellence