Global HR Business Partner, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development

AstraZeneca•Gaithersburg, MD

About The Position

Introduction to role: Are you ready to set the people strategy that powers world-class pharmaceutical development and gets life-changing medicines to patients faster? As Global HR Business Partner for Pharmaceutical Technology & Development (PT&D), you will be the catalyst that turns bold science and operational excellence into a high-performance, inclusive culture—building capability today and shaping the workforce we need for tomorrow. In this senior, enterprise-facing role, you will work directly with PT&D executives and cross-functional leaders to architect and deliver HR strategies that scale. You will leverage data-driven insights, modern HR practices, and close partnership with specialist HR teams to lead targeted interventions that enhance organizational effectiveness, strengthen leadership, and accelerate delivery across PT&D and Global Operations. Can you translate ambition into measurable outcomes and bring clarity to complex people challenges? Accountabilities: People Strategy Ownership: Define, align, and evolve the HR and people strategy for PT&D—covering workforce planning, recruitment, succession, talent management, development, and engagement—ensuring coherence with enterprise-wide people plans to build future-ready capability and retention. Strategic HR Partnership: Partner with HR centers of expertise to design and deliver tailored HR solutions to agreed scopes, timelines, and budgets, with clear metrics that demonstrate value and impact for PT&D programs and projects. Targeted Interventions Across PT&D and Global Operations: Collaborate with Global HR Business Partners and senior business leaders to craft and implement targeted HR interventions aligned to the overall people strategy, driving performance, culture, and engagement across the end-to-end value chain. Executive Coaching and Advisory: Provide coaching and guidance to PT&D executive leaders, elevating people management practices and shaping the people aspects of innovative ideas and priorities to unlock innovation readiness and business outcomes. Manager Capability Building and Risk Management: Coach, support, mentor, and challenge people managers to apply HR policies effectively; provide expert advice on complex HR issues to minimize risk and financial exposure, serving as a trusted advisor on employee relations and ensuring compliance with global employment laws and company policies. HR Governance and Change Leadership: Ensure HR solutions align with AstraZeneca’s global HR frameworks, applying policies, tools, and techniques in organizational efficiency, change management, employee engagement, workforce transitions, and performance management to deliver smooth transformations and sustained engagement. Own the creation and alignment of HR and people strategies for PT&D, encompassing workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning talent management, employee development, and employee engagement. Ensure alignment with SET area and enterprise HR and people plans. Partner with HR centers of expertise to drive the delivery of tailored HR solutions to defined scopes, timeframes, budgets, and measurable benefits within assigned business units or projects. Collaborate with Global HR Business Partners and senior business leaders to craft and implement targeted HR interventions across the PT&D and Global Operations aligned with overall people strategy. Provide coaching and guidance to executive leaders in PT&D, establishing strong partnerships that enhance people management practices and elevate overall business performance. Collaborate to define and develop the people aspects of innovative ideas and business priorities. Coach, support, mentor, and challenge people managers in applying HR policies and practices; provide advice and guidance on complex HR issues to minimize risk and financial exposure. Serve as a trusted advisor on complex employee relations issues, guaranteeing adherence with global employment laws and company policies. Ensure HR solutions align with global AstraZeneca HR frameworks, applying policies, tools, and techniques in areas such as organizational efficiency, change management, employee engagement, workforce transitions, and performance management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
Significant HR experience (10 years +) within a large, sophisticated, and matrixed/global organization – preferably as a Global HR Business Partner, or in another HR client-facing role.
Digitally-savvy, with evidence of driving innovative solutions and a continuous improvement approach to HR implementation.
Comfort with AI, technology and fully understanding of the role it plays in driving efficiency across the business
Demonstrable track record of leading the development and execution of HR and people strategies with measurable results.
Solid experience as a trusted advisor and coach to business leaders.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence, challenge, and negotiate at senior levels in an international environment.
Demonstrated use of HR analytics and organizational data to inform decision-making, develop interventions, and evaluate impact.
Deep understanding of employment law, policy, and risk management.
Ability to travel up to meet with Leadership Teams and employees where they are located.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field
Direct experience in the life sciences, pharmaceuticals, or biopharma industries.
Ability to work effectively on global teams or assignments spanning multiple countries/regions.

Responsibilities

Define, align, and evolve the HR and people strategy for PT&D—covering workforce planning, recruitment, succession, talent management, development, and engagement—ensuring coherence with enterprise-wide people plans to build future-ready capability and retention.
Partner with HR centers of expertise to design and deliver tailored HR solutions to agreed scopes, timelines, and budgets, with clear metrics that demonstrate value and impact for PT&D programs and projects.
Collaborate with Global HR Business Partners and senior business leaders to craft and implement targeted HR interventions aligned to the overall people strategy, driving performance, culture, and engagement across the end-to-end value chain.
Provide coaching and guidance to PT&D executive leaders, elevating people management practices and shaping the people aspects of innovative ideas and priorities to unlock innovation readiness and business outcomes.
Coach, support, mentor, and challenge people managers to apply HR policies effectively; provide expert advice on complex HR issues to minimize risk and financial exposure, serving as a trusted advisor on employee relations and ensuring compliance with global employment laws and company policies.
Ensure HR solutions align with AstraZeneca’s global HR frameworks, applying policies, tools, and techniques in organizational efficiency, change management, employee engagement, workforce transitions, and performance management to deliver smooth transformations and sustained engagement.
Own the creation and alignment of HR and people strategies for PT&D, encompassing workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning talent management, employee development, and employee engagement.
Ensure alignment with SET area and enterprise HR and people plans.
Partner with HR centers of expertise to drive the delivery of tailored HR solutions to defined scopes, timeframes, budgets, and measurable benefits within assigned business units or projects.
Collaborate with Global HR Business Partners and senior business leaders to craft and implement targeted HR interventions across the PT&D and Global Operations aligned with overall people strategy.
Provide coaching and guidance to executive leaders in PT&D, establishing strong partnerships that enhance people management practices and elevate overall business performance.
Collaborate to define and develop the people aspects of innovative ideas and business priorities.
Coach, support, mentor, and challenge people managers in applying HR policies and practices; provide advice and guidance on complex HR issues to minimize risk and financial exposure.
Serve as a trusted advisor on complex employee relations issues, guaranteeing adherence with global employment laws and company policies.
Ensure HR solutions align with global AstraZeneca HR frameworks, applying policies, tools, and techniques in areas such as organizational efficiency, change management, employee engagement, workforce transitions, and performance management.