Merck & Co, Inc

Associate Dir, Fin. Planning & Analysis

Merck & Co, Inc • $129K — $203K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years experience in finance or business operations
  • Strong analytical skills for financial modeling
  • Ability to lead transformations in fast-paced environments
  • Experience in value management and investment decision-making
  • Bachelor's degree in finance, business, or related field

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a trusted partner to Value Team Leads and Investment Managers
  • Provide financial transparency and risk management to IT leadership
  • Develop expense budgets and long-range plans aligning with organizational goals
  • Oversee governance of CAPEX/OPEX rules and depreciation schedules
  • Drive IT investment value by co-developing business cases
  • Govern corporate IT compliance deliverables and align with corporate requirements
  • Deliver actionable recommendations to optimize IT spend and improve value

Benefits

  • Flexible work arrangements with a hybrid option
  • Employee status categorized as regular
  • Opportunities to work in a global, collaborative environment
  • Work on impactful biomedical research initiatives
  • Engage with advanced technology and innovative financial processes
Full Job Description
Job Description

This role supports the VP of our Research & Development division IT and their leadership team. Our Research & Development division IT is a global organization that partners with our Research & Development division business division by leveraging technology and data to reimagine how breakthrough biomedical research is translated into meaningful new therapies and vaccines that save and improve lives worldwide. Our Research & Development division IT is focused on:
  • Clinical Development and Digital Solutions
  • Digital Science and AI Realization
  • Research and Development Sciences
  • Investment Management and Value Realization


We are seeking a strategic Associate Director of IT Finance to serve as a key team player to our technology leadership team. In this role, you will bridge the gap between financial discipline and technology strategy, driving high-value investment decisions, governing our multi-million-dollar technology portfolio, and optimizing our financial processes.

Responsibilities include:

Leadership & Partnership:
  • Serve as a trusted business partner to Value Team Leads and Investment Managers, supporting coordinated planning and execution of client priorities.
  • Provide the VP of our Research & Development division IT with financial transparency, risk management, and decision support.
  • Partner with business stakeholders to maintain an effective control environment.


Financial Planning & Analysis:
  • Develop expense budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long-range plans that support business and organizational goals.
  • Navigate complex IT accounting treatments, overseeing the governance of CAPEX/OPEX rules, and depreciation schedules for major tech milestones.
  • Drive IT investment value by co-developing robust business cases with Divisional Finance (ROI/NPV) and facilitating trade-offs to allocate resources to high-impact programs.
  • Govern corporate IT compliance deliverables, taking ownership of Quarterly tally processes and IT Center of Excellence (COE) requirements to ensure seamless corporate alignment.
  • Direct the monthly and quarterly close process, ensuring high-accuracy variance analysis, trend reporting, and proactive corrective actions.
  • Drive continuous improvement across IT financial processes, deploying modern tools and ad-hoc analysis to support organizational change initiatives.
  • Deliver actionable, data-driven recommendations to senior leadership that optimize IT spend, benchmark technology costs, and improve overall organizational value.


Required Skills:
• 5+ years of experience in finance, business operations, strategy, investment management, or a related field.
• Ability to lead large-scale transformations in ambiguous, fast-paced environments with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to apply FE&A frameworks to define ROI and align on value capture and realization.
• Ability to assess budgets, cost optimization opportunities, and cost drivers to support business cases and investment decisions.
• Ability to guide interdisciplinary teams on financial concepts and their impact on value management.
• Ability to communicate financial and performance information across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to act as a strategic thought partner and trusted business advisor.

Preferred Skills:
• Ability to work across matrixed, global teams to drive alignment.
• Strong communication and influencing skills to secure leadership and business buy-in.
• Experience in financial evaluation or value management.
• Ability to flex between strategic thinking and tactical execution.
• Ability to bring fresh perspectives to improve ways of working.
• Skilled in data analysis platforms, including Power BI.

Education Requirements:
• Required: Bachelor's degree in finance, business, information technology, or a related discipline.
• Preferred: MBA.

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Business Acumen, Business Agility, Business Planning, Cash Management, Collaborative Leadership, Complex Analysis, Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), Cross-Cultural Awareness, Data Visualization, Detail-Oriented, Enterprise Leadership, Financial Acumen, Financial Analysis, Financial Management, Financial Modeling, Financial Planning, Headcount Planning, Influencing Skills, Planning Budgeting And Forecasting (PBF), Preparation of Financial Reports, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Alignment {+ 7 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:
10/9/2026
*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.

About Merck & Co, Inc

Schering-Plough Corporation is a major U.S.-based manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. It operates in three segments: Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Consumer Health Care. Schering-Plough develops products targeting on allergy, cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory system, and more.  It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. Schering-Plough manufactured several pharmaceutical drugs, the most well-known of which were the allergy drugs Claritin and Clarinex, an anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin, and a brain tumor drug Temodar. It also developed drugs targeting on central nervous system and the respiratory system. Schering Plough also owned and operated the major foot care brand name Dr. Scholl's and the skin care line Coppertone. These also became a part of the new company. Schering-Plough was a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a membership which is also maintained by the new Merck.

Merck & Co, Inc Careers

Join the visionary team at Merck & Co, Inc, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing the world of medicine. As part of our professional community, you'll find dynamic job opportunities that foster innovation and leadership across various fields. Merck & Co, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can make a difference.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck & Co, Inc, we are committed to improving global health through groundbreaking research and innovative healthcare solutions. Our team is at the forefront of developing new therapies and vaccines that significantly impact public health worldwide. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to contribute to projects that save and improve lives around the globe.

Explore Career Paths

Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a professional position, Merck & Co, Inc offers a range of career paths in environments that promote rapid professional growth and development. Explore job opportunities in research, digital transformation, manufacturing, and more, all while benefiting from a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

Innovate and Lead

Merck & Co, Inc is an ideal environment for those who lead with curiosity and the drive to innovate. Our leadership is committed to fostering a culture where inventive thinking and collaboration are encouraged, making it a perfect place for professionals who seek to make an impact through their work.

Develop Your Skills

With Merck & Co, Inc, you are not just getting a job; you're gaining access to unparalleled career development opportunities. Enhance your skills through diverse training programs, workshops, and continuous learning courses designed to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Benefits and Culture

We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family. From comprehensive health care coverage and retirement plans to flexible working conditions and wellness programs, our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career at Merck & Co, Inc? Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that's dedicated to making a difference.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Engage with us through our careers blog and by participating in networking events and employment fairs. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and the latest news tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Merck & Co, Inc. Join us in our mission to improve health and wellness around the world.
Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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