Head of Talent Management

AstraZeneca; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Head of Talent Management in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The successful candidate will develop and execute a transformative talent management strategy that aligns with organizational goals and Saudi Vision 2030. Responsibilities include overseeing talent acquisition, succession planning, and employer branding efforts to enhance the company's position as an employer of choice. Strong experience in the pharmaceutical industry and knowledge of Saudi labour laws are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in talent management within the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi labour laws and nationalisation goals.
• Ability to analyze HR metrics and leverage talent analytics for decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute talent management strategy aligning with organizational goals.
• Lead workforce planning initiatives to manage talent pipelines.
• Oversee talent acquisition across all departments.

Skills

Talent Management Strategy

Workforce Planning

Talent Acquisition

Employer Branding

Stakeholder Management

Job description

Head of Talent Management

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, science‑led, patient‑focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation 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.

Join a high‑performing team, empowered to cut through the noise and drive real change. Our agility and pace, coupled with scientific focus, powers us to spot opportunities in the market that keep us moving forward and into new spaces.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Head of Talent Management a member of the HR Leadership Team in Saudi Arabia, responsible for developing and executing a transformative talent management strategy that aligns with the organization’s goals and the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030. This role oversees all aspects of talent strategy, workforce planning, talent acquisition, employer branding, and digitalisation. Additionally, serves as a pivotal partner to business leaders and external stakeholders, positioning the organization as an employer of choice and a leader in the transforming healthcare in Saudi Arabia.

What you’ll do

Talent Strategy

Design, implement, and continuously enhance a comprehensive talent management strategy tailored to the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring full alignment with HR and overall business objectives.

Succession Planning

Lead the development, implementation, and regular review of robust succession planning processes for critical roles across the organization. Identify and assess high‑potential talent, work with business leaders and partner with Head of Learning & Development to create individualized development plans, and ensure a strong internal pipeline to support business continuity and future leadership needs.

Workforce Planning

Lead workforce planning initiatives to proactively anticipate organisational needs and manage talent pipelines, with particular emphasis on achieving nationalisation goals and regulatory requirements.

Talent Acquisition

Oversee end‑to‑end talent acquisition across all departments and career levels, focusing on delivering an exceptional candidate experience. Ensure full implementation of current government recruitment mandates and best practices.

Employer Branding

Develop and promote a compelling employer value proposition strategy to attract top Saudi nationals and expatriate talent, while ensuring strict compliance with local labour laws.

University Relations & Early Talent Pipelines

Establish and manage strategic partnerships with leading Saudi universities and institutes. Champion internship and cooperative (Co‑op) programmes, graduate trainee programmes, and Tamheer initiatives to cultivate an early‑career Saudi talent pipeline that supports the company’s long‑term talent needs.

Digitalisation

Lead the digital transformation of talent acquisition processes and platforms to improve efficiency, enable data‑driven decision‑making, and increase candidate engagement.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Integrate DEI initiatives into the overall talent strategy, with a strong emphasis on gender diversity, expanding opportunities for women, and advancing nationalisation objectives.

Talent Analytics & Reporting

Leverage advanced HR analytics to monitor key talent metrics—such as attrition, internal mobility, and nationalisation rates—and provide evidence‑based decision support to local and global/regional HR leaders.

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure all talent management practices are fully compliant with Saudi labour law, nationalisation requirements, and internal company policies. Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to workforce planning and talent pipelines.

Stakeholder Management

Serve as a strategic partner to business leaders, government stakeholders (MHRSD, HRDF, MOH) and external partners to advance the company’s talent agenda and support local policy initiatives.