Head of Learning and Development

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Job Description

Head of Learning and Development

Purpose & Scope:

The Head of Learning and Development owns the site learning and capability strategy across GxP, non-GxP and reskilling, ensuring a compliant, effective and inspection-ready learning system aligned with Global Supply and Quality (GSQ) standards. The role establishes and delivers the site learning roadmap, oversees learning platforms and programmes, and partners with site and global stakeholders to identify capability needs, strengthen workforce competence and drive measurable improvements in quality, compliance, safety and operational performance.

Accountabilities:

Learning system management

• Establish and maintain the site learning roadmap (GxP, non-GxP & reskilling) based on robust learning needs analysis to meet operational competency in a GxP regulated manufacturing environment, ensure non-GxP training is complete and meeting the skilling needs for future-ready state, whilst aligning with GSQ learning strategy.

• Oversee the implementation of global GxP training SOPs and GSQ training GOPs to ensure a compliant, effective learning system, in partnership with quality systems.

• Deploy Learning Management and Learning Experience platforms to support the site learning strategy.

• Ensure robust learning system elements and appropriate technical learning solutions through collaboration with the assigned Organisational Learning and Change Management (OL&CM) lead.

Training programme design & implementation

• Assess GxP & non-GxP training needs for curricula management.

• Develop and deliver a comprehensive learning roadmap to address future-ready skills gaps.

• Implement learning strategies based on the GSQ learning strategy, including technical competency and learning roadmaps.

• Develop and integrate training curricula for GxP and non-GxP needs, monitor effectiveness, and continuously improve programmes.

• Manage internal and external learning partners and training budgets.

• Develop and deliver site training programmes.

Training needs assessment & continuous improvement

• Partner with OL&CM to enhance the learning system based on maturity assessments.

• Serve as the site representative on relevant global learning forums and partner with Quality to prioritise learning interventions that address customer needs and evolving regulatory expectations.

• Evaluate learning effectiveness at satisfaction, activity, competency and business-outcome levels, translating insights into continuous-improvement actions and technology-enabled solutions.

• Support site learning partners and drive innovation in training processes.

• Coach and develop site on-the-job trainers to improve the consistency and effectiveness of practical training across all shifts and business areas.

• Reduce dependency on SOP read-and-sign by expanding competency-based qualification, risk-based assignment and accreditation of prior learning, where appropriate.

• Introduce and embed Right First-Time culture, behaviours and Human Performance principles, using trend data and performance coaching to reduce human error and strengthen operational reliability.

• Pilot and scale emerging learning technologies, including virtual or augmented reality and live video links for remote on-the-job training and coaching across shifts and network sites, where relevant.

• Represent the site learning programme in audits and inspections.

• Benchmark internally and externally for continuous improvement.

Regulatory compliance, safety training & learning KPIs

• Ensure all training programmes meet regulatory and compliance standards including cGMP and health & safety.

• Implement risk-based approaches to site learning decisions in partnership with the Quality team.

• Manage monthly training KPIs (GxP & non-GxP) and provide necessary reports to managers, ensuring action plans address overdue training items.

LMS administration

• Manage the LMS and provide functional leadership to the site’s trained Learning System Administrators, including governance, workload coordination, issue escalation and recommendations for new technologies and learning solutions.

• Maintain accurate training records, curricula and certification data in accordance with GxP and site requirements.

• Generate training progress reports and provide insights to relevant stakeholders.

Induction and Transition Year

• Co-ordinate the employee induction programme, with oversight of content and material designed by induction process partners.

• Support the site Transition Year Programme.

Collaboration & stakeholder management

• Partner with site functions, including Quality, Digital, Data & Technology (DD&T) and HR, and with the assigned global OL&CM lead to align the site learning roadmap and training programmes with operational priorities, GSQ strategy and regulatory expectations.

• Manage relationships with external training providers to strengthen learning capability and delivery.

• Maintain relevant external relationships with customers, CMOs, vendors, consultants, benchmarking bodies and industry networks to identify emerging practices, technologies and operational-excellence approaches.

• Serve as the senior site contact for learning and capability matters.

Education, Experience and Capabilities:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in science, life sciences, engineering or a related discipline.

Essential experience

• 8+ years’ relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including 2–4 years in a GxP environment.

• Significant experience developing and implementing learning systems, curricula and capability solutions, including performance consulting and learning methodologies in a regulated environment.

• Experience in learning-needs analysis, instructional design, LMS management and the delivery of effective classroom, virtual and workplace-based learning.

• Excellent knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing and regulatory compliance.

Essential capabilities

• Strong communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate across all organisational levels and deliver outcomes in a matrix environment.

• Strong coaching and mentoring capability, with demonstrated success in influencing behaviour, mindset and workplace performance.

• Demonstrated ability to design tailored learning solutions that improve individual and organisational performance.

• Strong organisational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple learning initiatives simultaneously.

• Strong analytical capability, with experience translating learning and performance data into actionable insights.

• Adaptable and able to assimilate new regulatory and technical requirements quickly while reprioritising effectively in a changing environment.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability, including the use of structured, risk-based approaches to complex business and regulatory challenges.

• Fluency in English.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Training qualification at certificate or diploma level, or a master’s degree or certification in learning, instructional design or a related field.

• Experience managing a training function and leading people.

• Experience using data visualisation, analytics or automation tools such as Power BI, Power Automate or Python to improve learning administration, insights and decision-making.

Additional information

• Travel requirements: Occasional travel may be required to other sites or company locations.

• Work environment: Site-based role with daily interactions with manufacturing teams and cross-functional departments.

More about us:
At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient-focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life-changing work.
Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Empowering our people to shine:
Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are interested in this opportunity, we look forward to receiving your application via our online tool!

Locations

Grange Castle, Ireland

Base Salary Range:

€72,000.00 - €99,000.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

For information about our benefits, please click here.

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time