Associate Director, Strategic Planning

MSD; Rahway (NJ); On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in the United Kingdom seeks a senior strategist to drive oncology business planning and analytics.

You will lead strategic analysis for the Oncology Business Unit, coordinate forecast cycles and long-range planning with stakeholders, and shape portfolio prioritization to enable growth in a dynamic environment. The role requires a bachelor’s degree (engineering preferred) with 2–5 years consulting or in-house strategic planning experience in pharma; strong data analysis,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from top university; major in engineering preferred, Advanced degrees (MBA, MS, MD, or PhD) preferred; oversea experiences preferred
• Consulting background (2-5 years reference) with solid basic skills; in-house strategic planning experiences in large MNC Pharma as a plus
• Strong skills in: data driven analysis, strategic thinking, problem solving, and project management capabilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact with individuals from a variety of disciplines at all levels (senior leaders to working teams)
• Solid business acumen (in oncology as a plus) and proven track record of “proactively getting things done”
• Effective communications in Chinese and English in written, verbal with senior leaders, local and global
• Master in MS office: e.g. PPT, excel modeling
• Fast learner, team player, integrity

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and business analysis for the Oncology Business Unit.
• Lead OBU forecasting and financial planning in partnership with key stakeholders, including periodic forecast cycles and long-range planning, with rigorous assessment of key assumptions, opportunities, and risks.
• Drive portfolio and new asset planning, supporting pipeline prioritization, indication assessment, and asset acceleration to optimize portfolio value and future growth opportunities.
• Lead key strategic initiatives across the OBU, including new product launches, lifecycle management, post-LOE strategy, and business development evaluations, ensuring alignment with overall business priorities.
• Drive business performance management and strategic governance, including performance tracking, management reporting, QBR coordination, and monitoring of key strategic priorities to enable effective execution.
• Partner with BU and senior leadership on key business and leadership engagements, including leadership reviews, visits, annual meetings, Townhalls, and offsite workshops, ensuring high-quality preparation, communication, and alignment on business priorities.

Skills

Data-driven analysis

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA/MD/PhD preferred

Tools

MS Office (PPT/Excel)

Job description

Oncology is one of the top priority areas for our company, and expecting to deliver significant growth and benefit a great number of patients in the coming years. This role therefore is needed to provide solid strategic analysis and insights for the leadership team to track / review performance and make strategic decisions to further transform the business model and identify and drive potential growth in a highly dynamic environment.

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and business analysis for the Oncology Business Unit.
• Lead OBU forecasting and financial planning in partnership with key stakeholders, including periodic forecast cycles and long-range planning, with rigorous assessment of key assumptions, opportunities, and risks.
• Drive portfolio and new asset planning, supporting pipeline prioritization, indication assessment, and asset acceleration to optimize portfolio value and future growth opportunities.
• Lead key strategic initiatives across the OBU, including new product launches, lifecycle management, post-LOE strategy, and business development evaluations, ensuring alignment with overall business priorities.
• Drive business performance management and strategic governance, including performance tracking, management reporting, QBR coordination, and monitoring of key strategic priorities to enable effective execution.
• Partner with BU and senior leadership on key business and leadership engagements, including leadership reviews, visits, annual meetings, Townhalls, and offsite workshops, ensuring high-quality preparation, communication, and alignment on business priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from top university; major in engineering preferred, Advanced degrees (MBA, MS, MD, or PhD) preferred; oversea experiences preferred
• Consulting background (2-5 years reference) with solid basic skills; in-house strategic planning experiences in large MNC Pharma as a plus
• Strong skills in: data driven analysis, strategic thinking, problem solving, and project management capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact with individuals from a variety of disciplines at all levels (senior leaders to working teams)
• Solid business acumen (in oncology as a plus) and proven track record of “proactively getting things done”
• Effective communications in Chinese and English in written, verbal with senior leaders, local and global
• Master in MS office: e.g. PPT, excel modeling
• Fast learner, team player, integrity

Preferred

• Experience in change initiatives, especially large-scale changes in the pharmaceutical industry
• Strong executive presence and ability to speak with candor when appropriate
• Demonstrated ability to understand, distill and communicate complex information
• Ability to manage multiple projects aimed at executing and delivering on the strategic vision

Additional location(s) Compensation Information:

Required Skills:

• Adaptability
• Agile Project Management
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Developing Proposals
• Feasibility Studies
• Pharmaceutical Market
• Portfolio Management
• Project Management
• Resource Allocation
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

Employment Details

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: No relocation
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: No Travel Required
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: Not Indicated
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 11/30/2026*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.