Associate Director, Outside Counsel & Vendor Management

Welcome to Merck & Co., a global healthcare company dedicated to improving the lives of people around the world. We are looking for an experienced and motivated Associate Director to join our Legal team as the leader of our Outside Counsel & Vendor Management function. In this role, you will be responsible for managing and optimizing our relationships with outside counsel and vendors, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness in the legal services and products they provide. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on our business and contribute to our mission of delivering innovative solutions that address unmet medical needs. To be successful in this role, you must have a strong background in legal operations, vendor management, and contract negotiations, as well as excellent communication and leadership skills. If you are passionate about driving efficiency and value in legal operations and are looking for a dynamic and rewarding career, we would love to hear from you. Join us in our mission to save and improve lives as the Associate Director, Outside Counsel & Vendor Management at Merck & Co.

1. Develop and implement strategies for managing and optimizing relationships with outside counsel and vendors.
2. Oversee the selection, evaluation, and retention of outside counsel and vendors.
3. Negotiate and manage contracts with outside counsel and vendors to ensure cost-effectiveness and quality of services and products.
4. Monitor and analyze outside counsel and vendor performance to ensure compliance with agreed upon terms and service level expectations.
5. Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements in legal operations.
6. Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including legal teams and business units, to understand legal needs and requirements and align them with outside counsel and vendor capabilities.
7. Stay current on industry trends and best practices in legal operations and vendor management.
8. Develop and maintain metrics and reporting to track performance and demonstrate value of outside counsel and vendor management function.
9. Provide leadership and guidance to team members, including coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
10. Collaborate with other members of the Legal team to ensure consistency and alignment in legal operations.
11. Maintain strong working relationships with outside counsel and vendors to foster a collaborative and productive partnership.
12. Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and legal requirements in all outside counsel and vendor relationships.
13. Continuously assess and improve processes and procedures for managing outside counsel and vendor relationships.
14. Represent the company in external meetings and negotiations with outside counsel and vendors.
15. Contribute to the overall success of the Legal team and the company by participating in cross-functional initiatives and projects.
16. Demonstrate a strong commitment to the company's mission and values in all interactions and decisions.

According to JobzMall, the average salary range for a Associate Director, Outside Counsel & Vendor Management in Rahway, NJ, USA is $116,000 - $160,000 per year. This range can vary depending on factors such as the size and industry of the company, the candidate's level of experience and education, and the specific responsibilities and duties of the position.

Merck & Co., Inc., d.b.a. Merck Sharp & Dohme outside the United States and Canada, is an American multinational pharmaceutical company and one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Merck & Co., Inc. engages in the provision of health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, Alliances and Healthcare Services. The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products marketed either directly by the company or through joint ventures.