Associate Director, Executive Compensation

Merck & Co.; Bridgewater (MA); Hybrid; USD 168,000 - 221,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Legend Biotech, based in Somerset, NJ, is seeking an Associate Director, Executive Compensation to join the Human Resources team. The role focuses on the design, analysis, and delivery of compensation programs that enable business growth, with opportunities to influence global compensation strategy.

The position emphasizes executive compensation reporting, benchmarking, and alignment with governance frameworks, partnering with finance, HR, and senior leadership to drive strategic rewards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; CCP or progress toward CCP preferred.
• 6-8 years of progressive experience in compensation or total rewards.
• Prior experience with a compensation consulting firm highly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with compensation analysis, incentive plan design, and benchmarking.
• Exposure to executive or senior leadership compensation programs.
• Experience in a global/public company; biotech or life sciences preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills; familiarity with compensation surveys and benchmarking methodologies.
• Strong analytical ability and data-driven insight.

Responsibilities

• Design, model, and support short- and long-term incentive programs.
• Administer executive and leadership compensation programs.
• Lead market intelligence and benchmarking for critical roles.
• Support global compensation initiatives and pay structure reviews.
• Develop leadership materials and contribute to governance documentation.

Skills

Executive compensation

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Benchmarking

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree preferred

CCP preferred

Tools

Workday

Excel

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating and, one day, curing life‑threatening diseases. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, we are advancing the next generation of cell therapy through a portfolio of innovative technologies, including autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo cell therapy approaches. Our research spans chimeric antigen receptor T‑cell (CAR‑T), T‑cell receptor (TCR‑T), natural killer (NK) cell‑based therapies, and other emerging platforms designed to transform the treatment of serious diseases. From our global network of research and development sites, we are committed to discovering and developing safe, effective, and cutting‑edge therapies for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson to jointly develop and commercialize CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta‑cel). Through this strategic partnership, we combine complementary expertise and capabilities to advance innovative immunotherapies for patients living with multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Associate Director, Executive Compensation as part of the Human Resources team based in Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

The Associate Director, Executive Compensation, is a strong individual contributor within the Total Rewards team, supporting the design, analysis, and delivery of compensation programs that enable business growth. This role is hands‑on and analytical in nature, with opportunities to contribute to broader compensation strategy through high‑quality execution, insight generation, and partnering with the global compensation team.

The role focuses on reward and incentive plan design, executive and leadership compensation analysis, and market intelligence for business‑critical roles, working closely with internal stakeholders to help ensure competitive and effective rewards that support attraction, retention, and engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Reward & Incentive Plan Design

• Design, model, and support short‑term and long‑term incentive programs, including annual bonus plans, functional and growth‑driven incentives, retention awards, and special programs aligned with business priorities.
• Partner with Finance and HR stakeholders to ensure incentive plans are aligned with performance outcomes, affordability, and business strategy.
• Conduct detailed scenario modeling, financial impact analysis, and sensitivity testing to support leadership decision‑making.

Executive & Leadership Compensation

• Support the design, assessment, and ongoing administration of executive and senior leadership compensation programs, including base pay, incentive opportunities, and equity‑based awards.
• Perform executive and leadership benchmarking, pay mix analysis, and competitive positioning.
• Develop clear, data‑driven materials, analyses, and recommendations to support senior leadership and Compensation Committee discussions.
• Assist with executive compensation reporting, disclosures, and supporting documentation, ensuring accuracy and consistency with governance frameworks.

Market Intelligence & Benchmarking

• Partner proactively with business leaders, Talent, and HR to identify business‑critical and growth‑driving roles, emerging skill needs, and evolving talent priorities.
• Lead market intelligence and benchmarking efforts for these roles, staying ahead of external market trends, pay practices, and competitive dynamics.
• Translate market insights into forward‑looking recommendations to ensure rewards are competitive and compelling for attraction, retention, and engagement of key talent.
• Continuously monitor external trends and internal talent movements to anticipate compensation risks and opportunities.

Strategic Projects, Global Initiatives & Enablement

• Support global compensation initiatives, including incentive framework enhancements, pay structure reviews, and compensation support tied to job architecture and leveling outcomes.
• Contribute to cross‑regional alignment efforts to improve consistency, scalability, and effectiveness of compensation programs.
• Partner with the global compensation team on compensation communication and education, including the development of leader and HR materials, toolkits, and FAQs.
• Support special projects that enhance compensation processes, program clarity, and capability across the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• CCP or progress toward CCP strongly preferred.
• 6-8 years of progressive experience in compensation or total rewards.
• Prior experience with a compensation consulting firm (e.g., Willis Towers Watson, Mercer, Aon, Radford) highly preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with compensation analysis, incentive plan design support, and market benchmarking.
• Exposure to executive or senior leadership compensation programs.
• Experience in a global and/or publicly traded company environment; Biotech, Pharma, or Life Sciences experience preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills (complex formulas, pivot tables; macros a plus).
• Experience with compensation tools and HR systems (Workday preferred).
• Familiarity with compensation surveys and benchmarking methodologies.
• Exceptional analytical and modeling skills (Excel, scenario modeling, cost analysis).
• Strong ability to translate data into practical insight.
• High attention to detail and strong professional judgment.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence without authority.
• Pragmatic, delivery‑oriented mindset with a strong attention to detail.

#Li-MP1

#Li-Hybrid

The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay: Performance-based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off: Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays. Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short‑and long‑term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well‑being initiatives, and peer‑to‑peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Pay Range (Base Pay):

$168,372—$220,988 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full‑time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

Work Authorization & Employment Eligibility

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E-Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I-9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify in accordance with applicable federal law. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and welcoming hiring experience for all candidates.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at‑will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

For information related to our privacy notice, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Notice.