Global HR Business Partner – BioPharma R&D Clinical Operations

Introduction to role 

Join a high-performing global team where HR partners closely with Clinical Operations R&D leaders to unlock the power of what science can do for patients. This role sits at the heart of a function that delivers global clinical trials at scale, across 40 countries and thousands of colleagues, ensuring operational excellence from study design through to execution.

Expect to work with bright minds, modern technology, and rich data to shape decisions, while operating in an environment that values kindness alongside ambition. Are you ready to set the people strategy that powers world-class Clinical Operations and gets life-changing medicines to patients faster? As Global HR Business Partner for BioPharma R&D Clinical Operations, based in Boston Seaport and moving to Kendall Square, 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 needed for tomorrow. 

Accountabilities:

• Lead the end-to-end people strategy for BioPharma R&D Clinical Operations, aligning workforce planning, recruitment, succession, talent management, development, and engagement with enterprise-wide HR priorities and future capability needs. 
• Act as a strategic HR partner to Clinical Operations executives and cross-functional leaders, designing and delivering tailored HR solutions with clear scopes, timelines, budgets, and measurable outcomes that support critical programs and projects. 
• Collaborate with Global HR Business Partners and senior business leaders to craft and implement targeted HR interventions that drive performance, culture, and engagement across the end-to-end clinical value chain. 
• Provide executive coaching and advisory support to senior leaders, elevating people management practices and shaping the people aspects of innovative ideas and priorities to unlock innovation readiness and business outcomes. 
• Build manager capability by coaching, supporting, mentoring, and constructively challenging people managers to apply HR policies effectively, while providing expert advice on complex HR issues to minimize risk and financial exposure. 
• Serve as a trusted advisor on complex employee relations matters, ensuring adherence to global employment laws and company policies across multiple geographies. 
• Drive HR governance and change leadership by ensuring HR solutions align with AstraZeneca’s global HR frameworks, applying best-practice tools and techniques in organizational efficiency, change management, employee engagement, workforce transitions, and performance management. 
• Use data-driven insights, HR analytics, and organizational diagnostics to inform decision-making, identify trends, design interventions, and evaluate impact across Clinical Operations. 
• Partner closely with HR centers of expertise to co-create innovative, digitally enabled HR solutions that improve ways of working, enhance leadership effectiveness, and support a culture of continuous improvement. 
• Champion an entrepreneurial mindset within Clinical Operations—encouraging smart risk-taking, experimentation, and learning—while maintaining strong ethics, compliance, and transparency in all people-related decisions. 

Essential Skills/Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field 
• Significant HR experience (8 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.  

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• 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. 

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. 

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $172,347.20 - 258,520.80 Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives - an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

If this sounds like the next step in your HR career journey, apply now and help shape the people strategy that powers our science!

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.