Associate Director, Research Labs Center of Excellence
Merck
August 24, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Associate Director, Financial Planning & Analysis (Research Labs Finance)
Responsibilities:
- Oversee the monthly Close process, including divisional tie-out with Corporate and completion of divisional reporting to Corporate Financial Services, Global Controllers, external auditors, and other stakeholders.
- Perform detailed R&D expense analysis for lab management reporting; identify and articulate growth drivers/trends and support Close Optimization.
- Manage quarterly alignment (Tally) submissions.
- Ensure compliance with accounting requirements and maintain a sound financial internal control environment.
- Partner with FS Project Accounting, R&D Division Finance leaders, Tax Department, and other stakeholders.
- Provide timely, accurate survey/report submissions (e.g., PhRMA, KMR, G-Finder, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)).
- Serve as divisional GOA (Grant of Authority) lead.
- Act as Finance COE liaison for digital enablement (digital tools, automation, analytics to improve planning/reporting/decision-making).
- Lead forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting for the Administration sub-organization with variance analysis.
- Provide financial guidance and ad-hoc analyses to improve planning/reporting visibility and accuracy.
Qualifications:
- Minimum B.A./B.S. in Finance/Accounting, Business, Science, or Engineering; MBA or CPA preferred.
- 5+ years in finance, accounting, or financial analysis.
- Strong financial acumen; attention to detail.
- Strong computer skills: SAP, BPC, Excel, PowerPoint; Power BI; AI digital tools (e.g., CoPilot/Gemini).
- Experience analyzing issues/trends and problem-solving.
- Excellent communication; able to work across all levels.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to prioritize multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
- Proactive problem solver; comfortable with ambiguity; passion for R&D.
Skills (required): Corporate FP&A; preparation of financial reports; stakeholder management; strategic thinking.
Benefits:
- Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable).
- Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate and sick days.
Application instructions:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub if a current employee). Application deadline is listed on the posting.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee the monthly Close process, including divisional tie-out with Corporate and completion of divisional reporting to Corporate Financial Services, Global Controllers, external auditors, and other stakeholders.
- Perform detailed R&D expense analysis for lab management reporting; identify and articulate growth drivers/trends and support Close Optimization.
- Manage quarterly alignment (Tally) submissions.
- Ensure compliance with accounting requirements and maintain a sound financial internal control environment.
- Partner with FS Project Accounting, R&D Division Finance leaders, Tax Department, and other stakeholders.
- Provide timely, accurate survey/report submissions (e.g., PhRMA, KMR, G-Finder, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)).
- Serve as divisional GOA (Grant of Authority) lead.
- Act as Finance COE liaison for digital enablement (digital tools, automation, analytics to improve planning/reporting/decision-making).
- Lead forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting for the Administration sub-organization with variance analysis.
- Provide financial guidance and ad-hoc analyses to improve planning/reporting visibility and accuracy.
Qualifications:
- Minimum B.A./B.S. in Finance/Accounting, Business, Science, or Engineering; MBA or CPA preferred.
- 5+ years in finance, accounting, or financial analysis.
- Strong financial acumen; attention to detail.
- Strong computer skills: SAP, BPC, Excel, PowerPoint; Power BI; AI digital tools (e.g., CoPilot/Gemini).
- Experience analyzing issues/trends and problem-solving.
- Excellent communication; able to work across all levels.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to prioritize multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
- Proactive problem solver; comfortable with ambiguity; passion for R&D.
Skills (required): Corporate FP&A; preparation of financial reports; stakeholder management; strategic thinking.
Benefits:
- Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable).
- Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate and sick days.
Application instructions:
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub if a current employee). Application deadline is listed on the posting.