Job Description
Associate Director, HR Privacy and Merger / Acquisition (M&A)
About the Role
Join our HR Technology team as an Associate Director focused on the oversight and management of HR data privacy and of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures related to HR systems. You will serve as the lead for all activities related to HR systems compliance with global data privacy requirements. You will support and consult across HR solutions to ensure that new systems, functionality releases, etc., meet the required global privacy standards. You will also serve as the primary point for merger, acquisition, and divestiture activity as it relates to HR data and systems. You will support the coordination and oversight of how HR systems are leveraged to enable and execute on the overall integration strategy, as well as oversee the coordination and execution of mass data loads into HR systems.
You will be required to influence across multiple levels of the organization, work with HR operations leaders and internal/external partners as needed. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on our company's HR technology landscape.
What You Will Do
- Serve as the Lead HR Global Data Privacy Steward: Participate in Privacy and GDPR Compliance working group; keep abreast of changes in laws, regulations, and guidelines; share information and ensure proper HR ownership for data privacy.
- Provide direction to and collaborate with the Senior Specialist of HR Global Data Privacy on HR Data Privacy processes.
- Partner with the Global Privacy Office and HR teams to ensure that all Global HR systems and processes are compliant with Company Privacy Requirements including GDPR, the EU AI Act, and other applicable laws and regulations.
- Advise HR leadership on Privacy risks and mitigation activities.
- Provides guidance and consulting to HR teams regarding HR Privacy practices and governance processes within the HR Community.
- Program Management: Serve as the primary point for supporting / executing the M&A strategy for various acquisitions as it relates to enabling HR system data, access, and varying processes and functionality.
- Serve as the primary point of contact and engages across HR Solutions teams to enable and execute mass data loads into HR systems and all data loads as it relates to mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
- Oversee certain SOX Audit Controls for HR Processes to meet Audit requirements.
The Assoc. Director, HR Privacy and Merger / Acquisition (M&A) operates in a highly complex and matrix environment and is expected to apply HR functional and operational expertise to drive results. The ideal candidate will be an accomplished HR or IT professional with a mindset and passion for data privacy and experience working with HR policies, processes, and M&A within a global organization.
The incumbent will have a track record that demonstrates the following competencies:
Required Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree.
- Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in HR, HRIS, IT, or Operations function.
- Project Management: Proven project management experience for at least 2 global HR technology projects in a deadline-driven environment.
- Global Data Privacy: Minimum of 4 years global data privacy experience with knowledge of Global Data Privacy Regulations & laws.
- Data Governance: Strong understanding of data governance, data management, and data privacy principles.
- Compliance: Demonstrated understanding of and appreciation for data privacy concepts and principles (e.g., importance of securing data at rest and in transit, ensuring data is used in a way that is consistent with the intended purpose).
- M&A Data Management: Experience managing or executing mergers, acquisitions and / or divestitures in an HR technology environment.
- HR Technology: Minimum of 2 years experience with HR information technology, including Workday.
- HR Processes and Programs: Demonstrated experience and knowledge of HR processes and programs and willingness to continuously develop.
- Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work within a team and collaborate. Ability to be hands-on and entrenched in the details when necessary. Ability to seek direction when needed as well as work independently, be self-directed with limited and / or an evolving set of available information.
- Environment: Proven experience managing multiple high-priority projects in deadline-driven environments.
- Projects: Experience executing cross-functional projects both as an individual contributor and team member within deadline-driven, fast-paced environments.
- Communication: Solid written and verbal communication skills and proven experience presenting HR Data Privacy processes and procedures to various stakeholders at all levels and across divisions.
- Analysis: Demonstrated experience utilizing analytical skills to resolve complex business problems.
- Relationship Management: Demonstrated competencies in relationship management, facilitation, influencing skills, and working globally as well as cross functionally.
Preferred Qualifications:
- AI Experience: Direct experience implementing AI-powered HR tools and navigating AI ethics/privacy approvals.
- Advanced Workday: Experience writing Workday reports, managing and executing EIBs.
- People Leadership: Experience leading teams or managing cross-functional workstreams, including mentoring and capability development.
What we offer:
- Exciting work in a great team, global projects, international environment
- Opportunity to learn and grow professionally within the company globally
- Hybrid working model, flexible role pattern
- Pension and health insurance contributions
- Internal reward system plus referral program
- 5 weeks annual leave, 5 sick days, 15 days of certified sick leave paid above statutory requirements annually, 40 paid hours annually for volunteering activities, 12 weeks of parental contribution
- Cafeteria for tax free benefits according to your choice (meal vouchers, sport, culture, health, travel, etc.), Multisport Card
- Vodafone, Raiffeisen Bank, Foodora, and other discount programs
- Up-to-date laptop and iPhone
- Parking in the garage for drivers or showers for bikers
- Competitive salary, incentive pay, and many more
Additional location(s) Compensation Information:
Required Skills:
Business Acquisitions, Data Governance, Data Management, Data Privacy, Data Privacy Standards, Data Stewardship, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Governance Management, Government Regulation, Privacy Compliance, Team Mentoring
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:
No relocation
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
NA
Job Posting End Date:
11/8/2026
*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.
