Job Description

COA Sr. Specialist is responsible for providing end-to-end COA systems project management support including, but not limited to, gathering study-specific user requirements, executing UAT tasks, managing project timelines, managing and enforcing COA systems Standards. COA Sr. Specialist also monitors system change requests and acts as Company's COA systems subject matter expert while liaising with external vendors. Accountable for making decisions regarding COA process, issue resolution, and deviations from standards.

Applies COA systems expertise on day-to-day activities when issues are escalated. Communicates with internal and external stakeholders and escalates risks. May participate and lead in process improvement initiatives, standards development and maintenance. Responsible for creating and enforcing COA systems standards, managing vendor performance, and supporting training &education of stakeholders.

Primary Activities

 

1. Execute COA systems development process from Kickoff to system go live, ongoing system change control, system closeout and database lock activities.

2. Defines/redesigns COA development processes across vendor base. Identifies areas for process improvement and leads improvement activities

3. Creates and enforces the use of COA systems standards. Responsibilities may include creation / revision of COA systems standards, collaboration with vendors and internal stakeholders to define requirements, and monitoring standards utilization rate

4. Performs peer-review of the COA systems specific documentations for quality (e.g. comparing paper COA measures with Developer version etc.)

5. Manages vendor performance and relationship(s). Responsibilities may include defining and implementing process with vendor representatives, monitoring and analyzing vendor and Company performance metrics, performing root cause analysis and identifying corrective actions, and serving as point of escalation for vendor issues.

6. Serves as project manager of all COA systems activities for protocols assigned.  Uses interpersonal, negotiating, and project management skills to perform the following tasks:

·Project plan development, execution, and change control. Coordinates resolution & risk mitigation of all COA systems related issues and end of study vendor deliverables

·Activity definition and sequencing, duration estimation, schedule development, and schedule control.

·Risk management planning (i.e., risk identification, analysis, and response planning, as well as risk monitoring and control).

·Communication planning, information distribution, performance reporting, and project closure.

7. Obtains internal and external stakeholder feedback; this may include meeting with vendor project managers and/or meeting with subject matter experts or representatives from stakeholder functional areas.

8. Provides support for successful integration of Company and vendor systems.

9. Provides support for problem resolution between COA vendors and Company's Clinical Trial Team.

10. May participate in training and education for stakeholders. May develop, or assist in development of, reference and/or training material. May provide cross-functional internal and external communication as needed.

11. May provide support for the development / maintenance of relevant documentation, including applicable SOPs, job aids, and guidance documentation.

12. May mentor new staff.

13. May lead a continuous improvement special project or any other project or perform any other COA related task deemed appropriate by management.

Requirements

Education:  B.A. or B.S. degree, preferably in life sciences, computer science, engineering or related discipline.

Experience: 6 years’ experience in Clinical Data Management with at least 4 years’ of COA working experience

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrate knowledge of COA systems development processes

• Knowledge of the clinical development process, preferably through submission; thorough knowledge of clinical data management

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• Ability independently perform and manage multiple tasks at one time and meet deadlines in a complex environment working both internal or external to the Company,

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Clinical Data Management, Clinical Research, Communication, Data Analysis, Data Quality Assurance, Data Reporting, Data Review, Data Validation, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Identifying Risks, Medical Terminology, Peer Reviewing, Process Improvement Projects, Product Risk Management, Project Coordination, Project Development, Project Management, Project Planning, Projects Design, Risk Management, Standards Development, Teamwork, Vendor Management, Vendor Risk Management

Preferred Skills:

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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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

no

Job Posting End Date:

09/10/2026

*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.