Merck & Co, Inc

Director, Global Payroll Strategy and Americas Payroll (Hybrid - Rahway, NJ)

Merck & Co, Inc • $156K — $247K *
Rahway, NJ 07065Hybrid
Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Business, HR, or Payroll
  • 10+ years of payroll experience in a large global company
  • Strong business leadership skills
  • Experience in transformational payroll initiatives
  • Proven ability to manage large teams effectively
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Excellent communication skills for engaging diverse stakeholders

Responsibilities

  • Ensure implementation of global payroll strategies and roadmap
  • Enhance governance and control processes related to payroll operations
  • Oversee relationships with global payroll service providers
  • Drive payroll transformation and process improvements
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams for payroll integration
  • Analyze payroll data for trends and insights
  • Direct oversight of US Payroll & Tax Operations activities

Benefits

  • Flexible hybrid work arrangements
  • Opportunity to lead a sizable and diverse team
  • Influence on global payroll strategic direction
  • Collaboration with multiple departments
  • Potential for professional growth in a leadership role
  • Involvement in transformational projects
  • Engagement with external payroll vendors for best practices
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Director, Global Payroll Strategy and Americas Payroll Leader has responsibility for the delivery of HR and LATAM payroll for approximately 35,000 employees as well as Global Payroll Strategy impacting employees globally. The role is a leadership role with 5 Direct reports and a total organization between 20 and 25 people. This leader will oversee the delivery of payroll services both through internal resources and an external vendor relationship. It will be expected that the role balances delivery, operational efficiency and elevates the employee and HR experience. In addition, this role will be the leader of Global Payroll Service strategy inclusive of migrating all company payrolls from Finance to HR, managing external provider relationships and on-going delivery strategy. This position will be based in Rahway, New Jersey and reports to the Executive Director, HR Regional Services.

  • Payroll Strategy and Roadmap: Ensuring the realization of global payroll strategy across all markets. This includes migration plans for integration of finance-owned payrolls into HR, ensuring a 3- year payroll roadmap is created and approved, and creating and executing payroll strategies that align with the organization's goals and objectives. This includes identifying opportunities for process improvement, standardization, and automation to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of payroll operations on a global scale. This will require close and frequent collaboration with Regional Directors on the overall plan and country specific needs and priorities.
  • Enhance Governance and Control Processes: The Director is responsible for creating internal and external control through governance and audit processes. They will collaborate with legal and compliance teams to develop and implement policies and procedures to further enhance governance as well as lead in any process failure events to conduct thorough after-action reviews, suggest recommendations and ensure execution path.
  • Managing payroll vendors and relationships: The director oversees relationships with external payroll service providers globally. This includes contracts oversight, monitoring vendor performance, and ensuring service level agreements are met. They are also responsible for partnering to evaluate payroll systems, technologies and suppliers that best meet the organization's needs.
  • Leading payroll transformation initiatives: The role involves driving payroll process improvements, standardization, and automation initiatives across the organization. This includes leveraging technology solutions to streamline payroll operations, eliminate manual tasks, and enhance data accuracy and reporting capabilities.
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams: The Global Payroll Strategy Director collaborates with various stakeholders, including HR, finance, IT, and legal departments, to ensure seamless integration of payroll processes with other business functions. They provide guidance and support to these teams on payroll-related matters and ensure alignment with the organization's overall strategies and objectives. This role will be the single point of contact/demand management for IT budgeting and sequencing.
  • Analyzing and reporting payroll data: The director is responsible for analyzing payroll data to identify trends, insights, and areas for improvement. They prepare and present reports to senior management on a regular basis, providing key metrics and recommendations for payroll-related decisions.
  • US and LATAM Payroll & Tax Operations: This role will have direct oversight of US Payroll & Tax Operations scope and team/org structure of inclusive of Direct reports with a total organization of 20 to 25 people. This role requires accurate, timely delivery of payroll in both union and non-union environments.


The successful candidate should be energized by an environment that requires strong leadership, attention to detail, coaching for excellence, and prioritizes governance, control and accuracy with an eye toward external trends and changing impactful legislation.

This role requires significant people leadership experience, supplier management, strategic capability in the payroll space, and values and role models strong collaboration and partnership. A focus and proven track record of managing and improving payroll operations and working with payroll suppliers is critically important in this role.

Education:
  • Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree, or currently in pursuit of degree completion, or equivalent relevant work experience in Business, HR, or Payroll.


Required Experience and Skills:
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in Payroll with a large global company
  • Strong, proactive business leadership skills
  • Transformational mindset and deep experience in process and services
  • Service innovation mindset and curiosity
  • Change management experience
  • Responsible for building and managing relationships with strategic vendor / partners.
  • Demonstrated record and proven ability to lead a large team of individuals in both on-site and virtual locations.
  • Must be articulate and able to communicate and address issues around service to a broad range client community.
  • Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
  • Ability to mobilize with composure to solve issues and concerns and direct a team toward action


MSJR

Required Skills:
Change Management, Global Payroll, Leadership, Partnership Strategy, Payroll, Payroll Administration, Payroll Compliance, Payroll Management, Payroll Services, People Leadership, Supplier Management, Transformation Strategy, Vendor Management

Preferred Skills:

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
Domestic

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:
09/12/2026
*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
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ
MRK
* Ladders Estimates

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