Job Description

Our Finance team brings together our financial perspectives into our overall strategic and tactical decision making. We use state-of-the-art techniques for financial analysis, planning, accounting, reporting and performance evaluation. This allows the organization to continue advancing medical innovation and improve lives.

Overview:

The Finance Director will spearhead the finance function, driving the development and execution of financial strategies that support business growth across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). This role serves as a key business partner, showcasing exceptional financial and business leadership by collaborating closely with other members of the leadership team. The Finance Director will lead a high-performing finance team focused on business partnering, value creation, compliance, and talent development.

What will you do in this role:

Provide leadership to Budget Plan, long range financial planning, and special projects including BD to profitably grow the business and deliver short and long-term goals.

Actively partner with business leaders to develop business strategy, identify business opportunities, and prioritize investment and resources to deliver profitable growth and continued improvement of business/ financial performance;

Provide financial perspectives for the decision making of ANZ Managing Director, Country Leadership Team, and business partners. Partners with the Country Leadership Team to achieve the company’s short- and long- term objectives through strategic and financial stewardship.

Ensure the company's financial and tax matters are managed effectively and efficiently and are in compliance with accounting principles, tax rules, and government regulations; 

Ensure compliance and strong internal control environment. Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationships with internal and external partners including tax authorities.

Develop a lean, effective, and high-performing organization; guide the leadership development process, ensuring succession for key positions in finance organization.

Create externally-focused operating culture throughout the organization which emphasizes diversity and inclusion, collaboration and teamwork, personal accountability and continuous improvement;

Focus on the finance agenda including the finance transformation, partnership with shared service teams, working capital management, and finance talent management to continuously improve performance of Finance;

Ensure that company financial systems and processes are robust, compliant and support current activities and future growth.

Demonstrate strong leadership and able to develop team, and influence across organization. Shows strong motivation, commitment, and accountability in supporting the company’s success.

What should you have to be successful in the role:

Bachelor’s degree or above in Accounting or Finance, MBA is desirable; strong knowledge and practice of US GAAP, Sarbanes Oxley and internal controls; CPA or an equivalent qualification is preferred.

Minimum of 15+ years relevant experience including at least one previous Finance Director role

Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills

Ability to analyze disparate information to identify interdependencies, trends, and opportunities; capable of synthesizing complex data into actionable mid- to long-term goals and plans.

Demonstrates the ability to manage high-pressure situations with a positive outlook and commitment to decision-making.

Adapts effectively to new and unpredictable situations, actively seeking and responding to feedback and coaching.

Exhibits strong influencing capabilities and the ability to collaborate across diverse teams and functions.

Proven track record of inspiring and motivating others, with a strong focus on developing future leaders

Ability to handle high levels of pressure, approach challenges with a positive attitude, commit to decision;

High learning agility, effectively adjusts to new, changing and unpredictable situations, solicits and responds effectively to feedback and coaching;

Demonstrates strategic and financial stewardship to partner with Country Leadership Team to deliver company’s short and long-term goals;

Understanding of the business processes and operations preferably in Pharma, Medical Devices and related fields and/or FMCG

Strong numerical & analysis skills – able to interpret independent information to understand interdependencies, trends, issues and opportunities; able to synthesize complex information and translate into mid to long-range goals and plans

Strong Technical Skills, in all aspects of Finance, including Accounting, Controls, Tax & FP&A and Compliance & Statutory

Who we are

We are known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA in the United States and Canada and everywhere else. For more than a century, we have been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Today, our company continues to be at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions and advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and animals around the world.

What we look for

Imagine getting up in the morning for a job as important as helping to save and improve lives around the world. Here, you have that opportunity. You can put your empathy, creativity, digital mastery, or scientific genius to work in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues who pursue and bring hope to countless people who are battling some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our team is constantly evolving, so if you are among the intellectually curious, join us—and start making your impact today

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Accounting, Accounting, Business Decision Support, Business Financial Planning, Business Opportunities, Business Planning, Business Processes, Business Strategies, Cash Management, Change Management, Customer-Focused, Exercises Judgment, Finance, Finance Transformation, Financial Analysis, Financial Business Planning, Financial Modeling, Financial Performance, Leadership Training and Development, Management Process, People Leadership, Planning Budgeting And Forecasting (PBF), Positive Attitude, Preparation of Financial Reports, Profitable Growth {+ 3 more}

 Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/4/2025

*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.

Requisition ID:R352804