Learning & Development Capabilities Manager (SSA) at AstraZeneca

What you will do

As part of the high-performing team, you will be applying your skills and knowledge to design and implement training solutions to improve the skills and capabilities of the cross-functional teams in line with business and brand strategy. You will be responsible for building, leading and motivating teams, ensuring that the teams have the appropriate skills and competencies available within the company and fostering a multi-disciplinary delivery team culture. A key responsibility of the L&D Capabilities Manager will be to support the team as a coach to adopt an agile, high-performance approach that fulfills AZ’s objective.

You will be working closely with the Commercial Excellence Director and Senior Leaders to ensure training needs are aligned with the needs of the sales and non-sales teams across SSA working closely with Business Unit Directors. You will work closely with the Commercial teams to set objectives, assess performance, and address skill development.

Skills upliftment of the Commercial Teams to create market differentiation. Part of your responsibility will be to manage resource allocation, training budget, and high-level relationships with external vendors. This role will support the business teams in each country within SSA to achieve the organization’s goals.

Typical accountabilities will include

The delivery of leadership enablement training and initiatives. Present informal and formal learning solutions in an engaging and effective manner. Evaluate learning solutions throughout delivery, adapting the program to the Learning and Development Strategy. Sets objectives, coaches/mentors, assesses performance and addresses skill development for Sales Managers, their Sales Teams, and Key Account Managers. Participate in the creation of robust coaching & functional plans; track/report progress against plans aligned with the timing of regular business reviews.

Job Description

The L&D Capabilities Manager is responsible for building, leading, and motivating teams, ensuring that the teams have the appropriate skills and competencies available within the company, and fosters a multi-disciplinary delivery team culture. A key responsibility of the L&D Capabilities Manager will be to support the team as a coach to adopt an agile, high-performance approach that fulfils AZ’s objectives

• Works closely with the Commercial Excellence Director and SLT to ensure training needs are aligned with the needs of the sales and non-sales teams across SA & SSA.
• Delivers leadership enablement training and initiatives.
• Sets objectives, coaches/mentors, assesses performance and addresses skill development for Sales Managers, their Sales Teams and Key Account Managers.
• Manages resource allocation, training budget, and high-level relationships with external vendors
• Will conduct coaching training with First Line Sales Managers and conduct selling skills training across the commercial teams.
• This role will support the business teams in each country within SSA to achieve the organization’s goals.
• Participate in the creation of robust coaching & functional plans; track/report progress against plans aligned with timing of regular business reviews.

Deliver informal and formal learning solutions in a manner that is both engaging and effective:

• Manage the learning and coaching environment and prepare for training delivery
• Demonstrate effective facilitation and presentation techniques that engage learners, create a positive learning environment and build learner motivation
• Establish credibility as an instructor and effectively manage challenging behaviour and situations

Evaluate learning solution throughout delivery, adapting the program to Learning and Development Strategy:

• Use consulting skills and build relationships to establish sponsorship and ownership for training agenda
• Collaborate and work with the team to share ideas, best practices & maximise budgets
• Communicate effectively utilizing both written and verbal skills
• Approve, distribute, and archive intellectual capital ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements

Evaluate performance and training:

• Provide leadership to define and execute the organization’s training strategy aligned to business priorities; implement training projects and activities in close collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Apply a systematic approach to evaluate gaps in performance and impact of training
• Use a consulting approach to uncover the gaps that require training and development
• Effectively evaluate the impact of training solutions delivered
• Coaching of MSRs , KAMs and FLSMs: In-field & Classroom
• Skills training: In-field & classroom

If this sounds appealing, please read on to understand the experience and skills we’re looking for…

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelors degree in Health Sciences, Commerce or equivalent
• 4 to 5 years’ experience in Commercial Sales Training
• Coaching and mentoring experience
• Project management experience
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills
• Fluency in English is required with Excellent communication skills
• Good planning and organizational skills
• Ability to develop strategic partnerships
• Group presentation skills
• Self-confidence
• Coaching & Feedback – Leadership skills
• Ability to travel
• Impact and influence in a collaborative manner