Executive Director, Audit

Job Description

The Executive Director, Corporate Audit and Assurance Services will lead and deliver risk-based, value-added internal audit and assurance services. This senior finance and audit leader will partner with business leaders and senior management to assess risks, design and execute complex audits, with a focus on internal controls and compliance. The role combines hands-on audit leadership with people development, project management, and strategic influence.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Partner with the Vice President and audit peers to design and implement an annual risk-based audit plan aligned with enterprise strategy.

• Prepare and present clear, concise audit reports that summarize findings, implications, and recommended actions.

• Lead and direct multiple concurrent high-risk and complex audits from scoping through reporting and follow-up; ensure timely completion and appropriate escalation.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders: communicate findings diplomatically and foster collaborative relationships.

• Monitor and evaluate application of body of knowledge (audit standards, control frameworks, regulatory requirements) across complex business scenarios; identify and report non-conformances.

• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain top talent; create a high-performing team through effective selection, deployment, and career advancement in roles throughout the organization.

• Promote a culture of ethics, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization.

• Oversee internal training and professional development programs for audit staff; ensure team maintains relevant certifications and technical skills.

• Support other administrative and operational activities to enable the effective functioning of the Corporate Audit and Assurance Services group.

• Travel domestically and internationally to assigned regions/entities as needed (estimated up to 15%).

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA preferred.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Broad experience across risk management, finance, IT and/or internal audit with demonstrated interaction with senior leadership.

• Proven track record leading and executing complex, high-risk audit engagements.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to present complex issues clearly to executive audiences.

• Demonstrated leadership, high ethical standards, sound judgment, and integrity when representing the Company internally and externally.

• Results-driven, with the ability to focus teams on critical metrics that drive organizational performance.

• Innovative mindset with a history of implementing process improvements, new ways of working and use of technology.

• Willingness to travel up to 15% domestically and internationally.

• Will be required to work on-site in Rahway 3 days per week.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience leading, developing, and coaching high-performing audit teams.

• Professional audit and/or control certifications such as CPA, CISA, CIA, CMA, or CFE.

• Experience with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and broader business compliance programs.

• Big Four public accounting experience.

 

Core Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and risk orientation

• Audit methodology and control frameworks

• Stakeholder management and executive presence

• Team leadership, coaching, and talent development

• Project & program management

• Communication and influence

• Ethics, integrity and objectivity

• Continuous improvement and innovation

• Technical knowledge: accounting standards, internal controls, ITGCs, data analytics (preferred)

Required Skills:

Accounting Applications, Budget Preparation, Client Management, Coaching, Contract Audits, Ethical Standards, Financial Analysis, Internal Audit Development, International Mobility, People Leadership, Personal Initiative, Preparation of Financial Reports, Report Writing, Tax Return Analysis

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement​

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$231,900.00 - $365,000.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

Job Posting End Date:

04/21/2026

*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.