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.
The Director, Clinical Operations Capabilities & Performance Excellence leads the strategy, architecture, and execution of strategic capability-building for R&D Clinical Operations within a highly regulated GxP environment. This role integrates learning strategy, capability strategy, and manager enablement to ensure clinical teams possess the skills, behaviours, and confidence to deliver inspection-ready, efficient, and patient-centric trials. Working across BioPharma & Oncology, the director will steward a cross-functional capability agenda in partnership with other learning functions and will manage a multi-skilled team to deliver measurable business impact through modern, data-driven learning and capability solutions.
Typical Accountabilities:
Strategic Leadership:
- Design and own a compelling, multi-year strategic capability building strategy for Clinical Operations that connects R&D objectives and portfolio needs to learning, process, and behavior outcomes. Position the capability ecosystem (framework, curricula, academies) as a core engine for organizational performance and development.
- Translate workforce planning insights and pipeline forecasts into role-agnostic and specific capability frameworks for Clinical Operations.
- Continuously scan and synthesize external workforce trends to inform internal capability roadmaps, curricula updates, and QMS-aligned process changes. Use trend insights to proactively shape strategy and roadmap.
- Lead the development of annual learning roadmaps and define target proficiency, KPIs, and associated tools.
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Program & Portfolio Management:
- Ensure full alignment with the broader R&D GxP Learning strategy. Partner with the heads of QMS Learning, Learning Operations, and Learning Transformation to integrate controlled documents, learning systems, and innovation into an end-to-end capability management approach.
- Co-own process-to-training linkages ensuring SOPs, work instructions, and guidance are reflected in role-based curricula and validated competency paths.
- Own the strategy, design, and continuous evolution of the ClinOps Academy covering core technical, GxP, professional, and leadership capabilities. Ensure clear pathways for new hires, new-to-role, and advanced skill progression.
- Provide strategic oversight of external partners and content vendors ensuring quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
People Leadership & Development:
- Lead and develop a multi-skilled range of experts, either directly or in a matrixed environment. Set priorities, coach performance, manage resources, and foster an inclusive, innovative, and outcome-focused culture.
- Champion a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and psychological safety. Encourage experimentation, constructive challenge, and data-informed decision-making.
- Inspire and influence cross-functional partners (ClinOps leaders, Digital/IT, Data, Global Talent Development, Global HR) to align capability initiatives with strategic objectives and to remove barriers to adoption.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Process, Quality & Learning leads within each ClinOps function to ensure seamless integration with functional business objectives.
Continuous Improvement, Analytics & Innovation:
- Learning Performance Analytics & return on investment: Establish targets and success metrics for learning initiatives that support organizational capability building. Develop methods for measuring learning program effectiveness, include return on investment value analyses and quantifiable business impact assessments.
- Continuous Learning Optimization: Create feedback loops that continuously refine learning approaches based on performance data, capability insights, and evolving business requirements.
- Master's degree or equivalent work experience in a relevant scientific/technical subject area
- Higher-level qualifications or accreditations in learning & development related field (preferred) and/or a proven track record of development and delivery of learning and development solutions in a Pharmaceutical R&D environment
- Experience and understanding related to the specific Learning Program
- Solid understanding of Adult Learning Principles, Learning Needs Analysis, Instructional Design and Development, and Design Thinking
- Experience with the R&D drug development life cycle, specific experience with clinical operations (preferred), working in a highly regulated environment, and an understanding of the learning styles and needs of the R&D professional
- Strong collaboration skills and ability to work in a matrix environment and influence others without authority
- Ability to lead and manage sophisticated learning projects that require more than one result and handle multiple projects to successful completion
- Delivery and outcome focused, with the ability to set and manage priorities, resources, and goals for sophisticated, 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
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills
- Strong relationship-building, resourcefulness, and organizational skills
- Experience working in a global organization, across countries, cultures, and time zone
Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (BS/BA, life sciences, business management, etc.) plus 10 years proven experience required
- Higher-level qualifications or accreditations in learning & development related field (preferred) and/or a proven track record of development and delivery of learning and development solutions in a Pharmaceutical R&D environment
- Solid understanding of Adult Learning Principles, Learning Needs Analysis, Instructional Design and Development, and Design Thinking
- Experience with the R&D drug development life cycle, specific experience with clinical operations (preferred), working in a highly regulated environment, and an understanding of the learning styles and needs of the R&D professional
- Strong collaboration skills and ability to work in a matrix environment and influence others without authority
- Ability to lead and manage complex learning projects that require more than one deliverable and handle multiple projects to successful completion
- Delivery and outcome focused, with the ability to set and manage priorities, resources, and goals for sophisticated, 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
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills
- Strong relationship-building, resourcefulness, and organizational skills
- Experience working in a global organization, across countries, cultures, and time zones
Our permanent positions offer an annual Variable Pay Bonus/Short Term Incentiveopportunity as well as eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (ifapplicable to role). Benefits offered for permanent roles include a competitive Flex Benefits &Retirement Savings Program, 4 weeks’ paid vacation, and annual Personal Days. Fixed TermContract/Temporary positions (excluding students) are offered a Contract Benefits Program.
We are using AI as part of the recruitment process.
This advertisement relates to a current vacancy.
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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 AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com.
Date Posted
16-Jan-2026
Closing Date
29-Jan-2026
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.