Learning & Development Associate Director

Learning & Development (L&D) Associate Director

Location: Mississauga, Canada

Reports to: Head of Learning and Development within our Oncology R&D (ORD)

Competitive Salary And Benefits

Bring out the best in each other, and yourself, by working together as one

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe.

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and BlueSky Hub in downtown Toronto are purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet and our business are interconnected which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention.

Summary:

You will play a key role in shaping and delivering a daring learning strategy for our R&D business. This will enable AstraZeneca to be a great place to work and drive tangible business outcomes that demonstrate the impact of learning to the organization. We're seeking someone who is comfortable working independently to deliver learning initiatives in often ambiguous and dynamic workplace settings. You’ll be highly collaborative and resourceful, with the ability to quickly identify appropriate learning opportunities for the business and work effectively with and across the global R&D enterprise to deliver L&D projects.

Typical Accountabilities:

Project management of L&D Activities:

• Supports the Heads of L&D, R&D to facilitate and coordinate networks of business learning representatives across R&D where a component of their role is to represent the voice of the business and evolve the R&D learning strategy ensuring alignment of L&D activities within R&D and to the AZ Global Talent & Development (T&D) strategy.
• Leads or project manages a portfolio of L&D projects, including key cross R&D L&D initiatives (e.g., Onboarding, R&D Foundations). Able to identify and align internal resources and drive implementation of agreed solutions at pace.

Business partnering and consulting:

• Provides learning consultation and expert L&D advice to leaders and subject matter experts to ensure new learning content builds skills and capabilities that drive business performance goals.
• Builds strong and trusted working relationships with business leaders and HR / T&D partners, interacting with and effectively managing collaborators, including BioPharma and Oncology R&D Leadership teams, HR Leadership teams and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Leadership team.
• Undertakes learning needs analyses for key groups, articulating enterprise learning needs, and translating these needs into learning offerings and/or recommendations.

Design & Delivery of L&D initiatives:

• Brings strong L&D expertise to design and build high quality learning solutions that blend education, exposure and experiential elements to drive relevant business focussed learning outcomes.
• Ensures content is appropriately integrated into AZ learning technology platforms; responsible for maintaining and updating content to meet current and future business needs and aligns with the R&D / AZ approach to learning to ensure a positive, seamless learner experience.
• Where appropriate works with third-party vendors or academic / external institutions to bring best-in-class learning solutions to the business. This also includes working with Procurement, handling budgets, and providing project oversight.
• Directly (or indirectly) handles and is responsible for the delivery of virtual and/or in-person training events or learning symposia; from venue logistics, arranging speakers / trainers, communication activities, delegate attendance and follow-up activities.
• Maintains awareness of current trends in L&D practices and keeps understanding current, fresh, and engaging for the modern employee. Brings innovative approaches to functional learning activities along with ideas for the R&D enterprise.

Communication and Driving Change:

• Delivers effective communications to support R&D L&D activities and instils a culture of lifelong learning. Champions and promotes change, using internal networks to extend reach and impact.
• Strengthens and builds L&D capability within R&D through active participation in AZ and R&D Learning Communities (e.g., Learning Guild) and supports capability development of L&D and technical staff involved in delivering learning solutions.

Learning Insight and Evaluation:

• Contributes to the development of the L&D evaluation strategy, establishing key measures, data collection and building insightful reports and analyses for leadership (and the R&D enterprise L&D team) to demonstrate clear value and return on investment for learning activities.
• Actively engages the learner audience, conducting regular voice of the employee exercises, using social platforms (e.g. Workplace) and organizing / facilitating local learning engagement activities. Makes it easy for people to understand the real benefits of evolving and developing their learning.

Essential education, skills and experience:

• Creative thinking, able to bring new insights and learning innovations to life for the business.
• Delivery and outcome focused, ability to set and manage priorities, resources and goals for complex, fast-paced projects.
• Change management skills; takes a people-centred approach to drive tangible business change.
• Problem solving skills; able to conduct root cause analysis and apply critical / analytical thinking to identify the most appropriate solutions to drive business performance.
• Higher level qualifications or accreditations in learning and development related specialty (preferred) and/or a proven track record in development and delivery of learning and development solutions, preferably in a Pharma R&D environment.
• Expert communicator and facilitator. Possesses gravitas and/or Executive Presence when engaging with senior leaders and is able to motivate and inspire the learner by simplifying the complex and making learning relevant to them.
• Qualified to degree level in a relevant scientific / technical subject area.
• Excellent knowledge of adult learning theories, learning design and delivery and capability development, and experience applying these in a technical business setting.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, able to work in a matrix environment and influence / lead others
• Able to quickly adapt to a continuously evolving business and learning landscape.
• Highly collaborative, excellent relationship builder and connector, resourceful and well organised.
• Experience with 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.
• Experience working in a global organisation, across countries, cultures, and time zones.

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:

• Learn about our culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel
• GTAA Top Employer Award for 9 years

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today!

AstraZeneca is committed to taking every reasonable precaution to protect employees, our customers and the healthcare systems in the communities in which we serve. In an effort to protect the wellbeing of our employees and customers, full COVID-19 vaccination is an essential requirement of all positions at AstraZeneca. As such, all offers of employment will be conditional upon either (i) proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or (ii) proof of need for accommodation under relevant human rights legislation, and AstraZeneca’s determination that the requested accommodation can be provided without undue hardship. You will be required to submit proof of full vaccination or proof of need for accommodation during our background screening process.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing [email protected].