Associate Dir, Fin. Planning & Analysis

Merck & Co USA - New Jersey - Rahway Updated 25 September 2026
PharmaBiotechQuality Assuranceemacroraveinformaws

Job description

Job Description IT Finance is a full-service Financial Planning & Analysis function that guides our Technology organization in investing in value - creating capabilities to help our Company's save and improve lives. 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&#43; 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 US and Puerto Rico Residents Only: Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement​</

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