Director of R&D Learning and Development

The location of this position is flexible: Gaithersburg, US, Wilmington, DE, Waltham, US or Cambridge, UK.

The R&D Learning & Development Director will play a key role in shaping and delivering the learning strategy for Biometrics across R&D Therapeutic areas. Make critical contributions to making AZ a great place to work! Drive tangible business outcomes that demonstrate the impact of learning to the organization. The successful individual will be able to work independently to deliver high quality learning interventions in ambiguous, fast paced settings. Highly collaborative and resourceful, this individual will be able to quickly identify the right learning opportunities for the business, work effectively with and across the R&D enterprise and deliver prioritized L&D projects.

• Partner with the R&D Heads of Learning and Development to implement the objectives of the Learning and Development Center of Excellence as it applies to Biometrics Functions.
• Partner with Biometrics business leaders to conduct effective learning diagnosis of business and learner needs and translate into actionable development strategy and learning plans.
• Assume responsibility for the Biometrics Academy platform. Execute the Vision and results.
• Owner for the Biometrics content on the AZ Degreed learning platform; responsible for maintaining and updating content to meet current and future business needs. Align with the R&D / AZ approach to ensure a positive, seamless learner experience.
• Coordinates and leads learning plans for compliance-based Biometrics Saba training, working with Business Learning Leads and the R&D Learning Technology Management team to ensure the appropriate level of consistency, quality and regulatory requirements are met in this space.
• Is responsible for the Biometrics onboarding approach, using the HR global onboarding tools, R&D foundational materials to ensure an impactful and seamless experience for new employees.
• Working in partnership with the Biometrics teams, supervise the management and development of apprenticeship, graduate, and post-doctoral programmes within the functions.
• Identifies clear measures of learning outcomes for specific learning interventions and learning key performance indicators for Biometrics. Builds insightful reports and analyses for leadership that demonstrates return on investment for learning activities.
• Represents Biometrics on the R&D wide L&D Functional Learning Leads team, bringing a strong voice of the business to evolve the R&D learning strategy and pulling through the R&D L&D frameworks and initiatives for business benefit.
• Strengthens and builds L&D capability in the function by active participation in the R&D Learning Guild (R&D Community of L&D Practitioners) and supports capability development of L&D and technical staff involved in delivering learning solutions.
• Works with global HR T&D and Global Learning Services (GLS) to curate and upload content into the relevant learning technology platforms, following AZ standards and best practices.
• Commissions and supervises the design and build of learning content with preferred external strategic partners, vendors or institutions and ensures delivery to agreed business specifications.
• Effectively motivates the learner audience, conducting regular voice of the employee exercises, using social platforms (e.g., workplace) and organizing / facilitating learning engagement activities.
• Stays ahead of current trends in learning and development practices, to keep technical learning current, fresh and engaging for the modern employee. Brings innovative approaches to functional learning activities and recommendations for L&D development across Biometrics.

Education, Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree or equivalent work experience in a relevant scientific / technical subject area.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience
• Higher level qualifications or accreditations in learning and development related field (preferred) and/or a consistent track record in development and delivery of learning and development solutions, preferably in a Pharma R&D environment.
• Experience of the R&D drug development life cycle, working in a highly regulated environment and an understanding of the learning styles and needs of the R&D professional.
• Biometrics Knowledge & Experience preferred but not required.
• Excellent working knowledge of adult learning theories, learning design and delivery and capability development, and experience applying these in a technical business setting.
• Strong partner management skills, able to work in a matrix environment and influence / lead others without authority.
• Delivery and outcome focused, ability to set and handle priorities, resources, and goals for complex, fast-paced projects.
• Problem solving skills; able to conduct root cause analysis and apply critical / analytical thinking to identify the most appropriate solutions to drive business performance.
• Expert communicator and facilitator have gravitas when engaging with senior leaders and able to empower and inspire the learner by simplifying the complex and making learning relevant to them.
• Creative problem solver, able to bring new insights and learning innovations to life for the business.
• Able to quickly adapt to a continuously evolving business and learning landscape.
• Change leadership skills; takes a people-centered approach to drive tangible business change.
• Highly collaborative, strong relationship builder, resourceful and well organized.
• Experience of working in a global organization, across countries, cultures, and time zones.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. We foster an inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

So, what’s next?

• Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.