EnglishWillDo

Director Group Portfolio Execution

Merck KGaA · Darmstadt, Germany

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Work Your Magic with us!

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

Your Role:

As a Director Integration & Carve-Out, you will own the end-to-end integration and carve-out execution for our small to mid-size strategic deals. Reporting to the Head of Portfolio Execution (VP), you will be joining a highly energetic, mission-driven team of experienced integration and carve-out leaders managing these strategic initiatives across the three sectors.

Key Responsibilities

  • Represent integration interests during due diligence.
  • Own and lead assigned integration or carve-out projects end-to-end – serving as the primary point of contact with full accountability across all workstreams.
  • Design and drive a structured, disciplined implementation strategy – from project set-up and timeline planning through milestone delivery – dynamically adapting and recalibrating plans as the situation evolves.
  • Build trusted partnerships and align with key stakeholders and business leaders, mobilizing necessary cross-functional team members and providing clear direction and oversight for accountabilities and assignments.
  • Drive creation and sign-off of the future target operating model.
  • Ensure smooth delivery at country level.
  • Orchestrate high-impact workstream governance – establishing meeting cadence, creating and deploying common frameworks for feedback, inputs, and deliverables within a business unit and across our company – keeping all teams laser-focused on value drivers and key enablers across the company.
  • Drive fast decision-making – proactively identifying and resolving risks and pivoting course decisively to protect deal success.
  • Ensure full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements throughout the transaction lifecycle, safeguarding our organizational and financial interests.
  • Plan and manage overall integration / separation cost budget.
  • Ensure people and organizational aspects (culture, org design, retention and engagement, capability identification and preservation) are appropriately considered and managed in integrations.
  • Lead the end-to-end definition, implementation, and delivery of post-closing services (incl. Manufacturing Supply Agreements (MSAs) and Transitional Service Agreements (TSAs) in carve-out projects. Lead and manage timely and effective post-closing agreement exit in integrations.
  • Understand and communicate concerns, motivations and needs of all entities to ensure maximum benefit is realized and business momentum is maintained / increased.
  • Track and report performance against agreed-upon milestones and deliverables (as well as top- and bottom-line synergy / value creation targets in integrations).
  • Maintain a structured approach for keeping all relevant stakeholders informed – reporting integration / carve-out progress against financial and non-financial targets, surfacing roadblocks, and driving timely escalation to senior leadership.
  • Create a clear roadmap and transition plan for handover and ongoing ownership.
  • Actively coach and develop junior team members.
  • Continuously evolve transaction execution-related best practices and engage in best-practice building.

Who You Are:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree, e.g., in Business Administration, Economics, Finance or related fields
  • 6+ years of experience with global, matrixed organizations
  • 6+ years of experience in management consulting or similar positions, with demonstrated success in steering large, cross-functional teams and overseeing substantial resources in complex environments
  • Demonstrated 2+ years of leading operational post-merger integrations and / or carve-outs across various deal types (e.g., share deals, asset deals, standalone / incubator integrations, spin-off).
  • 2+ years of leadership experience
  • Broad-based knowledge and project experience in the industries in which our company operates (Life Science / Healthcare and / or Electronics) – with curiosity about the technologies shaping our future
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail
  • Good balance of strategic and operational strength
  • Exceptional organizational skills, with ability to work in an agile manner and change course as required; able to systematically work through ambiguity
  • Skilled at building credibility and networks – from working teams to C-suite – both internally and with external partners
  • Strong business acumen – deep understanding of business processes / operating models, with knowledge of financial analysis, ROI analysis and key performance indicators
  • Continuous learning orientation and ability to quickly acquire new skills and domain knowledge in evolving business contexts
  • Strong drive, especially in fast-paced, complex and high-pressure environments, showing resilience and adaptability
  • Proven ability to make sound, data-driven decisions with confidence and minimal need for escalation
  • Culturally and politically savvy, strong in change management and communications

Preferred Qualifications:

  • MBA degree
  • Proficient financial literacy and experience in financial due diligence, valuation, and M&A lifecycle
  • Multi-year experience in strategy, business development, portfolio management, investment banking, or related field is a plus
  • AI literacy or interest in AI – including critical thinking and experience with AI tools, concepts and prompt engineering to accelerate project execution and drive synergies

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!

Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!