Director, People & Transformation, Global Corporate Affairs

AstraZeneca; Mississauga; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company in Peel Region, Mississauga is seeking a Director, People & Transformation to lead people transformation initiatives while promoting a high-performing culture. The ideal candidate will have senior experience in organizational change, digital strategy, and employee experience design. Engage in a collaborative workplace that values innovation and flexibility. Join us to make a significant impact on patients' lives.

Benefits

Collaborative work environment

Opportunity for professional development

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Demonstrated senior experience in enterprise-scale people transformation.
• Deep expertise in digital and AI strategy.
• Strong background delivering operational excellence and leadership development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead ambitious change programs for people transformation.
• Set the vision for learning and capability strategies.
• Drive strategic adoption of digital and AI capabilities.

Skills

Enterprise-scale people transformation

Digital capability building

Organizational change

Operational excellence

Strong communication and influencing skills

Job description

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge‑sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe.

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face‑to‑face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and BlueSky Hub in downtown Toronto are purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.

Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet and our business are interconnected which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention.

Introduction to role

Are you ready to lead ground‑breaking change in a dynamic global environment? As the Director, People & Transformation, you will be at the forefront of shaping and delivering an integrated people transformation agenda that propels the Global Corporate Affairs (GCA) organization into the future. This pivotal role is designed for a strategic leader who thrives in a world defined by rapid scientific, technological, digital, and societal change. You will partner with the GCA Leadership Team and HR Business Partner to build a best‑in‑class Corporate Affairs team, fostering a high‑performing organizational culture and cultivating future leaders. Your mission includes spearheading GCA’s digital and AI‑driven transformation, ensuring our capabilities are pioneering and future‑ready. Are you ready to champion innovation and drive impactful change?

Accountabilities

• People Transformation: Lead ambitious change programs that prepare GCA for continued evolution and long‑term success.
• Learning and Capability Strategy: Set the vision for learning and talent development, identifying critical skills gaps and evaluating L&D impact.
• Digital and AI Capability Building: Drive strategic adoption of digital, AI, and advanced analytics tools to embed new abilities.
• Leadership Agenda: Define and embed the leadership agenda to cultivate a diverse, high‑performing leadership community.
• Operational Excellence and New Ways of Working: Promote agile work practices and continuous improvement across teams.
• Holistic Employee Experience: Design comprehensive strategies covering onboarding, digital enablement, career mobility, and wellbeing.
• Inclusion and Diversity Advancement: Implement innovative programs that strengthen global talent pipelines.
• Governance, Measurement and Impact: Own frameworks for people transformation activities, including budget oversight and strategic impact reporting.
• Executive Partnership and Representation: Build influential relationships with senior stakeholders; represent GCA priorities within AstraZeneca.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Demonstrated senior experience in enterprise‑scale people transformation, digital capability building, organizational change in a sophisticated global business, preferably with Corporate Affairs experience.
• Deep expertise in digital and AI strategy, with a record of embedding technology‑enabled learning and capability programs at the leadership level.
• Strong background delivering operational excellence, agile change, and leadership development initiatives across multi‑country teams.
• Experience crafting comprehensive employee experience programs, covering engagement, wellbeing, onboarding, and career progression.
• Substantial achievement in leading inclusion and diversity breakthroughs at a strategic (not just compliance) level.
• Advanced skill in governance, analytics, and reporting to executive audiences.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, both verbal and written, supported by strong analytical ability and digital fluency to extract and communicate actionable insights.
• Understanding of future trends, particularly in Corporate Affairs, impacting future skills and requirements of teams/leaders.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• A strategic approach with ability to design and be responsible for L&D strategies, build leadership capability, handle global stakeholder engagement, and enhance function‑wide culture.
• Significant experience of handling different stakeholder relationships and confident at forging trusted relationships at a senior level.
• Demonstrable experience of working with others to cultivate positive, results‑oriented cultures.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life‑changing medicines. In‑person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At AstraZeneca, every role contributes to a bigger impact on patients' lives. We are united by a shared commitment to our purpose and patients. Working at the cutting‑edge of science provides a sense of pride as we transform lives with unmet needs. Our global team is dedicated to excellence and breakthroughs that make a genuine difference. Join us during this exciting time of growth through innovation—reimagine the way we work and shape our journey by taking intelligent risks. Here, you can apply your skills to drive change, challenge norms, take ownership, make quick decisions, and run with them. Be part of a relationship‑driven community where collaboration enhances our ability to make an impact.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join AstraZeneca's transformative journey!

Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 11 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel

Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today!

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing [e-mail].

Date Posted

19-Nov-2025

Closing Date

03-Dec-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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.