Senior Business Analyst (M/F/D) – Automation, Analytics & AI

Job Description

The Senior Business Analyst – Automation, Analytics & AI (Sr. BA - AA & AI) operates at the country level within GCTO RRO to identify, design, and deliver technology-enabled solutions that improve clinical trial operations efficiency, quality, and compliance. The role leads the intake, assessment, and delivery of local automation, analytics, and AI initiatives, creates compelling business cases, builds or oversees development of country tools, and scales fit-for-purpose solutions to other countries or the Region when applicable.

The Sr. BA – AA & AI reports to the Clinical Research Director (CRD) and partners closely with country, regional and headquarters roles and teams, such as, Regions Operational Excellence (ROE), regional/country stakeholders, Automation/Analytics/AI partners and, as needed, IT. As needed, the Sr. BA – AA & AI may also support initiatives driven by Regional Operations teams, such as GSA, GTO, GSBP and EDM. The role ensures adherence to ICH GCP, company policies, and local regulations, and drives measurable impact through robust KPIs and change enablement.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & intake o Partner with the CRD, country leadership team, and the RRO Automation Analytics & AI Lead (RAAI Lead) to surface priority pain points and high-value opportunities for automation, analytics, and AI.

• o Lead development of business cases including problem definition, options analysis, solution scope, resource/cost estimates, benefits/KPIs, risks, and compliance considerations.

• o Align local opportunities with RRO/GCTO priorities; verify with relevant GCDI/central repositories and teams if there are for similar tools to avoid duplication; summarize reuse opportunities and recommendations for the RAAI Lead.

• Solution design & delivery o Lead and drive the end-to-end delivery of country-level tools and solutions (e.g., dashboards, workflow automation, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), AI-assisted processes) using appropriate platforms and methods.

• o For multi-country or regional solutions, co-lead with the RAAI Lead to ensure harmonization, scalability, and governance alignment.

• o Responsible for escalation to centralized assessment when project requirements exceed local capability or scale.

• o Translate business requirements into functional/technical specifications and oversee build, testing, validation, and controlled deployment; ensure security, privacy, and quality.

• o Conduct life cycle management of the developed solutions, including rollout, maintenance and disposal, as required.

• Data, analytics & reporting o Develop or oversee development of analytics and visualization (e.g., operational dashboards, performance metrics) to drive data-informed decision-making.

• o Define and track success metrics (e.g., time-to-deploy, cycle-time reduction, accuracy/data quality, adoption/satisfaction, cost avoidance/FTE savings) and embed learning loops for continuous improvement.

• Governance, compliance & change o Ensure solutions comply with ICH GCP, Company policies, and local regulations; partner with Compliance/Legal as needed.

• o Maintain project tracking and provide periodic updates to CRD, RAAI Lead, and relevant governance forums; support RRO governance processes.

• Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business Analytics, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in data analytics, process improvement, digital transformation, or technology-driven projects within life sciences, healthcare, or another regulated industry.

• Proven track record of delivering automation, analytics, or AI-enabled solutions that drive measurable business improvements.

• Experience managing projects and coordinating cross-functional stakeholders in a matrix environment.

• Exposure to international or regional projects is an advantage.

• Understanding of clinical trial operations, healthcare regulations, and data privacy requirements is preferred.

• Strong business analysis and process improvement capabilities, including requirements gathering and process mapping.

• Experience with data analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) and basic data querying knowledge.

• Familiarity with automation technologies, AI/ML applications, and digital solutions.

• Solid project management skills with experience working in Agile and/or Lean environments.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences.

• Strong problem-solving mindset, change management capabilities, and a focus on delivering measurable business value.

• Fluent English required.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Required Skills

• Adaptability, Adaptability, Automation, Automation Technology, Business Analysis, Business Case Development, Business Insights, Business Process Automation, Business Workflow Analysis, Clinical Site Management, Clinical Trial Agreements (CTA), Clinical Trial Compliance, Clinical Trial Documentation, Clinical Trial Management, Clinical Trial Planning, Clinical Trials Monitoring, Clinical Trials Operations, Concept Development, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Dashboard Development, Data Visualization, Delivery Management, Executive Presence, ICH GCP Guidelines, Ideation {+ 8 more}

Preferred Skills:

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• Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

• 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:

• 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

• Hybrid

Shift:

• Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

• No

Hazardous Material(s):

• n/a

Job Posting End Date:

• 11/6/2026*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.