Associate Director, Site Learning & Development

Job Description Position Summary The Associate Director of Site Learning & Talent Development is a strategic leader responsible for influencing and executing the learning strategy across our biopharmaceutical manufacturing and vaccine operations site. This role sits at the intersection of regulatory compliance, human performance, and technological innovation. You will drive learner-centric design principles, oversee training curricula governance, and integrate cutting-edge Digital and AI solutions to optimize capability building and execution excellence. A critical focus of this role is ensuring workforce readiness during new capital project launches, tech transfers and enterprise system implementations, ensuring right-first-time execution and sustained GxP compliance. Leader Mindset Expectations Safety : Protect patients, people, plant, property, product and processes. Enable a safe, zero-injury workplace where all team members and colleagues are held accountable for returning home in as-good or better shape than when they arrived to work. Compliance & Quality : Ensure complete audit readiness by integrating GxP requirements into all learning solutions. Partner with Deviation Management and Quality Assurance to develop training strategies that effectively address Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) and human performance deviations. Continuous Improvement : Champion a learning organization where we are better today than we were yesterday and have a plan to be better tomorrow than we are today. Fail fast, fail forward, learn quickly and adapt to ever-changing business needs. Role Accountabilities Asset & System Strategy : Lead the learning strategy for new site builds, asset expansions, tech transfers and enterprise system rollouts, as well as major enhancements. Develop scalable onboarding and upskilling frameworks to ensure rapid workforce readiness prior to operational go-live. Learner-Centric Design : Champion human-centered design principles. Move beyond read-and-understand SOPs by designing experiential, role-based, and targeted training that respects the learner's operational workflow and cognitive load. Digital & AI Acumen : Pioneer the use of Digital and AI capabilities within the L&D ecosystem. Deploy adaptive learning technologies, AI-driven content curation, and immersive digital tools to accelerate time-to-proficiency. LMS Administration : Support site governance for the Learning Management System. Establish robust data integrity protocols, streamline curricula structures, and influence standard operating procedures for training assignments, management and reporting. Own the business process for maintaining learning plans through daily LMS management. People Development : Mentor and build a high-performing L&D team. Foster a culture of continuous development, upskilling team members and trainers in modern learning theories, data analytics, and performance consultation skills. Team Stewardship Effectively establish, deepen and sustain key relationships with Site-level business leaders and mid-level managers to understand their business needs and related performance gaps; provide oversight and analysis when defining curricula requirements, and demonstrate an understanding of processes and methodology to provide appropriate learning solutions. Lead collaborative efforts with stakeholders to define desired performance outcomes; provide feedback and coaching on issues related to learning programs and policies. Identify performance needs and gaps and facilitate delivery of learning solutions to the business, when appropriate. May deliver training and/or support local SMEs who provide training, as needed. Remain current on learning and development related tools, techniques, strategies and practices to provide relevant, informed consultative advice to clients; share leading learning practices with teams and stakeholders. Ensure successful learning outcomes by supporting the identification and translation of the client’s learning needs into a defined learning strategy and implemented solutions. Report timely feedback on learning effectiveness to the business and communicate suggestions for improvement. Desired Competencies Leadership: Demonstrated skill in applying solutions, tools, and techniques to gain the cooperation and support of others; ability to lead by example, foster collaborative relationships, and impact decisions within and outside the organization. Coaching: Ability to encourage, motivate and guide individuals/teams in the delivery of the full L&D value proposition. Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Ability to use a broad range of methods, assumptions, frameworks, and perspectives when solving problems and making decisions. Ability to make problems visible, propose viable solutions, and capitalize on opportunities that occur by chance or by self-creation. Strategic Planning: Project planning and management experience, including the ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1–2 years), and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the business plan. Adult Learning Theory and Practice: Experience in applying concepts and practices of adult learning to meet the dynamic needs of the business. Ability to assess competency gaps and identify what people need to learn for successful individual and organizational performance. Fluency in one or more scientific method-derived continuous improvement frameworks, e.g. Six-sigma, Lean, QbD, TQM, Agile, etc. Expert in achieving and communicating the impact of L&D on top-line and/or bottom-line financial results for the site and company. Required: Education: High School Diploma/GED with minimum 15 years of relevant experience - or Bachelor's degree in Workforce Development, Education, Human Resources, Business, Communications, Public Policy, STEM, or a related field with 11 years of relevant experience - or Master's degree in Workforce Development, Education, Human Resources, Business, Communications, Public Policy, STEM, or a related field with 9 years of relevant experience *Relevant experience includes workforce development, community engagement, public affairs, talent strategy, workforce planning, education partnerships, program management, skills-based hiring, or manufacturing workforce initiatives. Preferred: Experience in biopharmaceuticals, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, or other regulated industries. Experience building workforce pipelines, apprenticeship programs, and educational partnerships. Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders without direct authority. Experience with skills-based hiring, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and workforce analytics. Required Skills: Adult Learning Principles, Blended Learning, Change Management, Communication Tools, Compliance Training, Design Thinking, Digital Learning, Instructional Design, People Leadership, Process Improvements, Strategic Planning, Talent Development, Training Evaluations, Training Needs Assessment, Training Program Management Preferred Skills: Current Employees