Sr. Mgr, Strategic Planning

Job Description

Position Purpose

The Strategic Planning & Operations Manager plays a critical role in driving strategic planning, business performance management, and operational excellence across the Business Unit.

This role acts as a strategic integrator and PMO, partnering closely with Franchise Heads and cross-functional stakeholders to translate business priorities into executable plans, monitor delivery, and support leadership decision-making.

The successful candidate will help establish a disciplined planning and operating rhythm while enabling sustainable business growth and organizational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Business Integration

• Support the development and execution of BU strategy, annual priorities, and key strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate strategic planning processes, including annual business planning,  quarterly reviews, and portfolio prioritization.
• Identify key business trends, risks, opportunities, and strategic implications for leadership discussions.
• Develop executive-level materials and insights to support decision making.

Strategic Project & PMO Management

• Drive BU-wide strategic initiatives and transformation projects.
• Establish project governance, milestones, tracking mechanisms, and decision logs.
• Coordinate cross-functional resources to ensure timely delivery.
• Prepare project updates, risk assessments, and escalation recommendations for leadership teams.

Business Performance support

• Monitor business performance against strategic objectives.
• Support Quarterly Business Reviews and Leadership Reviews.
• Generate actionable insights through data analysis and communications.
• Identify performance gaps and recommend improvement opportunities.

Operating Governance

• Support the implementation of a consistent planning and governance framework.
• Facilitate business review meetings, strategic forums, and leadership discussions.
• Maintain planning calendars, key milestones, and governance trackers.
• Drive process standardization and continuous improvement initiatives.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Serve as a trusted partner to Franchise teams and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate communication and alignment across Commercial, Market Access, Finance, and other functions.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and drive collaboration toward shared objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or above.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.

• 5-8+ years of relevant experience in
  • Strategic Planning
  • Business Operations
  • Commercial Excellence
  • Management Consulting
  • PMO / Transformation
  • Business Insights & Analytics
• Experience in multinational pharmaceutical or healthcare organizations preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong strategic thinking and structured problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent project management and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to derive actionable business insights.
• Advanced PowerPoint and Excel capabilities.
• Experience preparing executive-level presentations and recommendation materials.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic mindset.
• Strong ownership and accountability.
• Influence without authority.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and multiple priorities.
• Collaborative and team-oriented working style.

Required Skills:

Agile Project Management, Business Alignment, Business Metrics, Collaborative Leadership, Executive Reports, Financial Acumen, Management Consulting, Managing Ambiguity, Meeting Facilitation, Portfolio Management, Project Management, Resource Allocation, Risk Management, Strategic Planning

Preferred Skills:

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):

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.