Global Head of Early Careers and Learning, BioPharma R&D

Location: Boston, USA 

Hybrid Model: minimum 3 days from office in Boston per week 

Position Overview

AstraZeneca is seeking a senior leader to lead Early Careers and Learning in BioPharma R&D. This role will shape our global strategy for early careers and learning, building on AZ’s existing programs in the UK, USA and Sweden to deliver a worldclass pipeline of early talent in AstraZeneca’s key global locations and drive future-focused learning in R&D. 

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer in BioPharma R&D, the Head of Early Careers and Learning will lead, develop and implement AstraZeneca’s (AZ’s) Research & Development strategy for attracting, nurturing, and retaining early career talent, with a particular focus on growing AZ’s programs in Boston and other growth sites. This role serves as a point of contact for academic institutions, fostering meaningful partnerships and growing AstraZeneca’s reputation to create a robust pipeline of apprentices, graduates, postgraduates and interns.  This role also leads AstraZeneca’s technical learning approach for R&D globally, with a particular emphasis on future-focused learning.

The role will be based in Boston, USA (initially in AZ’s Seaport Office before moving to the new Kendall Square facility when it opens later in 2026) and will play a pivotal role in shaping AstraZeneca R&D’s future workforce in the region, strengthening the organization’s presence within academic communities and building AstraZeneca’s external reputation for early talent and learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the global early careers and learning strategy and team for BioPharma R&D.  Building on the programs that already exist, develop and implement a comprehensive early careers strategy for R&D in North America, aligned with AZ’s broader scientific and early talent objectives.  This includes the key objective of accelerating scientific AI skills and capabilities within R&D.

• Program Development: Partner with key R&D stakeholders to build on the established early talent programs in the US, UK and Europe to design, launch, and oversee new complementary early talent programs in North America and at other growth sites

• Leadership Program and Line Management: Lead and manage the global Early Careers and Learning Team in BioPharma R&D, with staff based in the UK, Barcelona and Warsaw.  Ensure effective local delivery of existing R&D early talent programs in all regions, partnering with the HR Talent Acquisition team, Academic Alliances team, key R&D stakeholders and senior leadership in BioPharma R&D to support hiring, local supervision and to ensure a high-quality experience for both candidates and line managers. 

• Academic Partnerships: Build and maintain strong relationships with universities, colleges, and professional bodies in the Boston, Gaithersburg area and beyond, coordinating joint initiatives and facilitating collaborations involving early talent.  Oversee the academic relationships led and managed by the wider team in Cambridge, UK.

• Talent Attraction: Work with the Global Early Talent Acquisition teams, in particular in the US and other growth sites, to drive efforts to promote the organization as an employer of choice for students and recent graduates, including career fairs, campus presentations, and digital outreach.

• Learning Strategy and Delivery: Lead learning to ensure a clear strategy for R&D’s future learning is in place and delivered, aligned with R&D’s 2030 goals.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., R&D leadership team including SET members, HR partners, Global Early Careers team, departmental leaders) to identify business needs and ensure alignment of early careers initiatives.

• Compliance and Best Practice: Ensure programs adhere to legal, regulatory, and ethical standards, incorporating best practice from both the US and international contexts.

• Performance Measurement: Monitor, evaluate, and report on program effectiveness, using data and feedback to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s or higher degree in a scientific, technical, Human Resources or Business Administration -focused discipline (advanced qualifications highly desirable).

• Experience: Substantial experience leading early careers and learning in a scientific R&D environment, preferably within a large or complex organization.  Experience in large pharma is highly preferable and experience working across our 3 strategic cou