Learning & Development Capabilities Manager (SSA)

Do you have expertise in, and passion for science working in Biopharmaceuticals, Oncology and Rare Diseases; and creating value for our customers and patients?  If so, AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven Bio-Pharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases.

But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. Our strategic priorities reflect how we are working to deliver our strategy and achieve our Purpose. As a workforce, we are the catalyst for our values: we are entrepreneurial; we do the right thing; we play to win; we put patients first and we follow the science. As a company we appreciate and take great pride in each team member where every person is brought together through shared values, that underpins a shared purpose. There’s no better place to feel inspired and energised.
At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. Join the fastest-growing pharmaceutical in our markets, set up to fuel further growth. Be part of our shared ambition and pride: our strong heritage, our turnaround story, and early investment and commitment in International markets. There’s no better place to feel inspired and energized.

ABOUT OUR COMMERCIAL EXCELLENCE TEAM

The Learning and Development Team at AstraZeneca is a group of catalysts to deliver exceptional work that enables the organization to bring our medicines to patients. We draw on our diverse strengths and partner internally and externally to deliver training and Development to drive executional excellence. Courageous and resilient, we break away from tradition and think independently. But we know we can’t do this alone. We succeed through teamwork, engaging other functions and connecting our diverse stakeholders, on the inside and out. Driven by one clear focus: to get better results for our patients.

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

Why AstraZeneca?

AstraZeneca recognized as Top Employer | South Africa, Kenya & Nigeria 2025. Best Place to Work in Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana & Ethiopia 2024 – 2025.

Furthermore, we are proud to have achieved the impressive feat of ranking second place in the Best Places to Work for the second consecutive year running in Africa. This distinction is a confirmation of our commitment and ability to sustain people, partnerships, and employee engagement and foster an innovative workplace environment.

At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare. Join the fastest-growing pharmaceutical in our markets, set up to fuel further growth. Be part of our shared ambition and pride: our strong heritage, our turnaround story, and early investment and commitment in International markets. There’s no better place to feel inspired and energized.

SO, WHAT’S NEXT?

Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!

Click the link to apply no later than 28 May 2025 and we’ll be in touch as soon as we can.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Close Date: 28/05/2025

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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.