Associate Director, US Site Payment Operations, Operations Lead

MSD

. Lead U.S. site payment execution and translate global capability direction, business rules, priorities, and controls into day-to-day operations . Own delivery performance across assigned teams, including payment

Posted 10/16/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $142,400 - $224,100 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in clinical trial financial operations and site payments, ensuring operational integrity and effectiveness across payment systems. Capable of leading teams, managing performance, and translating operational needs into actionable business rules and controls.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Clinical Research ExperienceSite Payments ManagementOperational ExcellenceGood Clinical Practice (GCP)Payment Systems Knowledge

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Clinical Trials OperationsPayment AdministrationBusiness Requirements AnalysisPerformance ImprovementsEscalation Management

Soft Skills

AdaptabilityDecision MakingPeople LeadershipCross-Cultural AwarenessStrong Communication

Industry Keywords

Fair Market Value PrinciplesRegulatory RequirementsPharmaceutical IndustryBiotechnology IndustryMatrixed Organization

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead U.S. site payment execution and translate global capability direction, business rules, priorities, and controls into day-to-day operations
Own delivery performance across assigned teams, including payment timeliness and accuracy, backlog management, control execution, capacity, and service outcomes
Ensure integrity and effectiveness across interconnected payment systems, including transaction integrity, exception management, reconciliations, and payment-record synchronization
Lead, coach, and coordinate payment operations teams by establishing accountabilities, workload priorities, performance expectations, and workforce readiness
Monitor operational data, service measures, controls, and stakeholder feedback; identify variations and take corrective action
Communicate with sites, study teams, Finance, Tax, IT/Technology, and other stakeholders regarding timelines, risks, dependencies, and service issues
Lead containment, recovery, and stakeholder communication when payment operations fail or services are disrupted
Diagnose execution issues, resolve operational issues, and transition systemic process, policy, data, or technology issues to appropriate owners
Escalate material risks, recurring failures, capacity constraints, and capability-level decisions to the Head, Site Payment Operations
Contribute payment subject-matter expertise, execution insights, operational data, and regional perspectives to global site payment strategy
Partner with operational excellence, regional payment teams, IT/Technology, Finance, Tax, and other stakeholders to evaluate scenarios, shape process and system solutions, implement approved changes, and validate regional effectiveness

Requirements

What you’ll need

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree is required (scientific, business, or related discipline preferred)
Minimum of five (5) years of clinical research experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, including experience in site payments, clinical trial financial operations, or related operations
Experience with investigator payments, clinical trial financial operations, payment systems, controls, or related financial processes
Ability to lead operational teams, manage capacity and performance, develop talent, and deliver reliable service outcomes in a matrixed organization
Ability to translate operational needs into business rules, functional requirements, controls, acceptance criteria, and consistent team practices
Sound judgment in assessing payment risk and operational impact, leading containment and recovery, and escalating systemic issues
Ability to use data, operational insight, and stakeholder feedback to manage priorities and improve performance
Strong communication and influencing skills across functions, systems, and geographies
Knowledge of GCP/ICH, applicable regulatory requirements, Fair Market Value principles, and compliant clinical trial payment practices
Supports responsible digital, data-driven, and AI-enabled ways of working
Required skills: Adaptability, Business Requirements Analysis, Clinical Trials Operations, Competency Management, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Decision Making, Delivery Management, Escalation Management, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Industry Regulation, Operations Management, Payment Administration, People Leadership, Performance Improvements, Team Organization
US and Puerto Rico residents only
No visa sponsorship
Valid driving license not required

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable
Medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits for employee and family
Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
Paid holidays
Vacation
Compassionate and sick days
Relocation: No relocation