Associate Director, Strategic Planning

Job Description
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.
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:
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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
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.