Head of Training, Global S/4HANA Programme

Head of Training, Global S/4HANA Programme

Luton

The Axial Programme (Global S/4HANA implementation)

We are one purpose-led global organisation. The enablers and innovators, ensuring that we can fulfil our mission to push the boundaries of science and discover and develop life-changing medicines. We take pride in working close to the cause, opening the locks to save lives, ultimately making a massive difference to the outside world. 

AstraZeneca (AZ) is in a period of strong growth and our employees have a united purpose to make a difference to patients around the world who need both our medicines and the ongoing developments from our science. In this journey AZ must continue to work across borders and with partners and new colleagues in a fast and seamless way. The ambition, size and complexity of the organisation, coupled with the opportunities afforded by new technology, has led the Board to approve a large scale transformation of the IT landscape by the replacement of current ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems with one global solution. 

The Axial Programme will be powered by S/4HANA a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system which will be implemented right across the organisation and will provide our business with standardised processes, enhanced financial management, common data and real time reporting, transforming the way we work through our entire supply chain - from bench to patient. 

Our current technology is used by more than 20,000 employees daily, is foundational to all AZ entities and is central to most core business processes. This programme provides the opportunity for real transformation and to shape the way of working globally for many years to come. 

This programme requires the best. Whether it be the technical skills, business understanding or change leadership, we want to ensure we have the strongest team deployed throughout. The programme seeks to deliver a world class change programme that leaves all employees with a fuller understanding of their role in the end-to-end nature of our global company. This programme will provide AZ with a competitive edge, to the benefits of its employees and patients

Introduction to Role:

The Head of Training leads the global strategy and execution of end‑user, process, and internal program training for a multi‑year S/4HANA transformation. The role ensures employees are equipped to perform in S/4HANA‑enabled ways of working across all program phases (design, build, testing, cutover, hypercare, and continuous release). This leader owns the training operating model—including curriculum design, content development, delivery, WalkMe rollout, and AI‑enabled learning—driving measurable proficiency, engagement, and sustained capability post go‑live.

This role builds and governs the global training framework, balancing self‑paced and instructor‑led learning and employing innovative modalities (train‑the‑trainer, virtual classrooms, microlearning, podcasts, simulations, and safe practice environments). It operationalizes a data‑driven training approach using key performance indictors tied to adoption and business outcomes, partners with business process owners and deployment teams, and leads a blended team of internal staff, vendors, and contractors to deliver scalable, localized, and compliant training at pace.

Accountabilities:

• Training Strategy and Roadmap: Define the global training vision, principles, and phased roadmap aligned to program waves and business value. Establish common standards, toolkits, templates, and quality gates across markets and functions; align tightly with process design, role taxonomy, and release cadence.

• Curriculum Design and Methods: Architect a role‑based curriculum spanning SAP process domains (e.g., Order‑to‑Cash, R2R, PTDD) and program ways of working (design, testing, data, cutover). Balance self‑learning and instructor‑led formats; incorporate microlearning, scenario‑based exercises, hands‑on labs, and safe sandboxes for user familiarisation.  Explore modular based training to support greater agility. 

• Training Needs Analysis (TNA): Lead the end‑to‑end TNA—define role families, capability requirements, prerequisites, and proficiency targets. Segment audiences, assess impacts, and translate process and role changes into training requirements and learning paths.

• Content Development and Quality: Govern creation of high‑quality, standardized training assets (eLearning, Fiori task guides, simulations, ILT decks, job aids, quick reference guides, podcasts) with version control and reusability by release and market. Ensure fit‑to‑standard alignment, control implications, and alignment to process critical metrics.

• WalkMe and In‑App Guidance: Own the global rollout of WalkMe (or equivalent DAP) to provide in‑app guidance, walkthroughs, and nudges; integrate with training curricula and measure usage, completion, and impact on task success and error reduction.

• AI‑Enabled Learning: Leverage AI to accelerate content creation (e.g., draft scripts, translations, knowledge checks), personalize learning paths, power conversational help, and analyze telemetry to target interventions—ensuring compliance with data privacy and security standards. Champion AI adoption to drive efficiency.

• Delivery Model and Methods: Operate a scalable delivery model using train‑the‑trainer networks, super users, virtual classrooms, online modules, podcasts, and on‑demand microlearning. Stand up safe environments/sandboxes and simulated transactions to build confidence and proficiency.

• Internal Program Training: Design and deliver training for program methodologies (SAP Activate, agile ways of working, testing cycles, cutover readiness) for cross‑functional teams and local deployment entities.

• Critical Metrics, Measurement, and Insights: Define and operationalise training KPIs/OKRs (e.g., role‑based certification rates, assessment scores, time‑to‑competence, WalkMe usage and guided flow completion, reduction in training‑related incidents). Use data to target refresher training and content improvements.

• Localisation and Market Enablement: Partner with regional change leads, process champions, and local entities to localise materials only when necessary, address language/cultural needs, and ensure regulatory and control alignment without diluting global standards.

• Continuous Improvement and Sustainment: Embed feedback loops to iterate content and delivery. Transition training into BAU learning governance; refresh content for continuous releases and process enhancements.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Governance: Align with CCT&A team members, EPO towers, Security/Compliance, Business Report Owners and internal training teams.  Report progress, risks, and benefits; manage dependencies with communications, change, and adoption workstreams.

• Vendor and Team Leadership: Build and lead a high‑performing, distributed training team (internal staff, vendors, individual contractors). Define roles and guardrails for content vendors, set clear SLAs and quality standards, and coach regional trainers and super users.

• Planning and Reporting:  Develop a structured approach and drive delivery through clear planning and KPI reporting.

• Internal Engagement: Work with internal L&D teams and platforms to support delivery of Axial training materials to relevant end users and support on completion of relevant training materials.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated success in designing and delivering role‑based training that improved proficiency, reduced errors, and accelerated stabilization post go‑live; experience spanning design, testing, cutover, and hypercare.

• Hands‑on familiarity with SAP process domains and fit‑to‑standard approaches, including implications for controls, data, and roles.

• Demonstrable ability to stand up and scale digital adoption platforms (e.g., WalkMe) and integrate in‑app guidance with formal learning.

• Experience applying AI/ML in learning (content acceleration, personalization, chat‑assist, analytics) with strong governance for data privacy and quality.

• Solid command of learning experience platforms, LMS, content authoring tools, virtual classroom technologies, and simulation tools.

• Proficiency in establishing KPIs/OKRs for training impact; comfort with telemetry, assessments, dashboards, and experimentation.

• Leadership of distributed training/change networks and collaboration with SI partners, PMO, Release/Deployment, Testing, Data & Analytics, and Business Process Owners.

• Bachelor’s degree, advanced degree or MBA preferred (or equivalent experience)

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Extensive ERP transformation experience with a strong track record leading global training for S/4HANA or large SAP programs in complex, regulated environments.

Why AstraZeneca? 

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. 

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.

Are you already imaging yourself joining our team?

Apply Today!

Date Posted

14-May-2026

Closing Date

28-May-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.