Elkton GES Associate Director, Project Engineering

About This Role

This Associate Director of Project Engineering will manage capital projects supporting Merck's human health pharmaceutical manufacturing portfolio, leading a wide range of projects and collaborating with various internal and external teams. This role contributes to a significant capital expansion at the Elkton, Virginia site.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects: Plan, direct, and organize resources for capital budgeting, engineering design, procurement, construction management, startup, and commissioning of new or enhanced facilities and utilities
• Champion a strong safety culture; ensure projects meet or exceed company EHS targets, including Process and Construction Safety
• Ensure adherence to company Standards and Procedures, and the Quality Manual; Oversee effective QA/QC programs
• Manage integrated project teams to deliver critical assets on time and within budget; foster collaboration with Leadership, Site Stakeholders, Partners, and cross‑functional teams
• Develop robust execution and design strategies that address scope, complexity, geography, risk, and business impact; apply Lean Project Delivery and Target Value Delivery
• Lead Capital Governance; run safety and staff meetings; ensure scope control and alignment to business goals; lead funding reviews and stakeholder alignment
• Maintain portfolio risk registers; drive mitigations; integrate compliance, permitting, and logistics risks; guide teams to simple, robust solutions
• Enforce governance for scope, cost, and schedule changes; manage approvals and communication throughout the project lifecycle
• Manage communications and reporting to keep stakeholders informed and aligned; communicate effectively at all levels
• Manage and coach team members; set clear business priorities and behavior expectations

Requirements

• Minimum of eight (8) years of project management experience, overseeing diverse capital projects from design through to construction, commissioning, and close out
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to present project status and funding clearly and effectively
• Understanding of cGMP and regulatory qualification requirements
• Proven ability to navigate complex challenges, manage change, and drive project success under tight deadlines
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative environment that prioritizes business needs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• Minimum of eight (8) years of project management experience, overseeing diverse capital projects from design through to construction, commissioning, and close out.

Nice to Have

• Experience with Lean Project Delivery methodologies such as Target Value Design and pull planning
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing experience (drug substance, drug product, labs, large and small molecule, utilities)
• PMP or equivalent project management certification

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits