Talent Acquisition Lead

Job Title: Talent Acquisition Lead

Location: Mississauga

Introduction to role

As a global science-led biopharmaceutical company, our aim is to find solutions that prevent, treat and even cure some of the world’s most sophisticated diseases. A proven team, we are united and motivated by our shared purpose – to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. A vibrant environment where passion, determination and resilience is central to our purpose.

This position is an integral part of the Talent Acquisition (TAq) Deployment LT, reporting to the Head of Deployment in the Global TAq CoE. Your peer group are TAq leads across AstraZeneca’s strategic sites.  You will also serve as a key member of the local HR Leadership Team, collaborating closely with the Country HR Director to shape and drive the local people strategy and priority initiatives.

As a valued member of the TAq team, you will lead the delivery of the Talent Acquisition for all key strategy to effectively deliver all hiring into the Canadian site across all talent segments – R&D, Commercial, Operations & IT and the Enabling functions. You will lead a high performing, newly formed TAq team, in addition to inhouse RPO, driving the strategy for employer branding and recruitment marketing, I&D and leading the successful implementation of key global initiatives.

Your role will also build and maintain strong connections with the relevant Global HR Centers of Excellence and key business stakeholders, to ensure Talent Acquisition processes and ways of working are aligned to global practices, maximising the tools, technology, and resources available from the Global COE’s.

You will act as the Hub Lead for the Global Hub, fostering a sense of community, promoting collaboration, and establishing strong relationships for all TAq teams within the Mississauga location.  

You are, by nature of the role, a specialist and subject matter authority in all aspects of Talent Acquisition and primarily serve as a center of excellence for the HR team but you will also be front line to the business as you uphold your accountabilities.

Are you ready to lead a dynamic team and shape the future of talent acquisition at AstraZeneca?

The main accountabilities will include:

• Create and implement Talent Acquisition (TAq) strategies, tailored to the demand forecast across the talent segments in Mississauga, aligned with the Global TAq strategy.
• Lead Talent Acquisition delivery and operational excellence within Mississauga, providing thought leadership and innovation to guide the evolution of the talent acquisition and sourcing strategy.
• Support TAq Senior leaders and Country HR Leaders in evolving the operating model.
• Responsible for the candidate experience process – from attraction to assessment strategy and onboarding, including relocating domestically and internationally.
• Create and maintain strong trusted advisor relationships with the TAq Global COE’s, business leaders, HRBPs, and peers to integrate the talent acquisition strategy into business requirements.
• Maintain market intelligence, talent insights, and analytics to support hiring decisions.
• Lead, inspire and coach a team of talent acquisition business partners, ensuring performance management, training, development, and succession planning.
• Translate and deliver recruitment demand forecasts through effective resource management and planning.
• Manage RPO relationships and performance in their location, ensuring a unified AZ TAq approach.
• Build an environment of change, encouraging improvements in tools, methods, or processes to deliver diverse, world-class internal talent pools.
• Adopt, embed, and optimize digital tools, new technology, and systems to drive process optimization and efficiencies.
• Create and deploy employer branding and recruitment marketing strategies in collaboration with the COE to elevate the AZ brand in the market.
• Take ownership of local Inclusion & Diversity initiatives, ensure pay equity, and uphold accountability for governance, audits, and compliance with local labour laws.

Skills/Experience for success:

• Possess a degree-level qualification or demonstrate equivalent professional experience.
• Mastery of Talent Acquisition area and multi-disciplinary experience (cross-functional or functional) in a global organisation.
• Experience of developing and implementing TAq strategies – including capacity management/demand planning, supplier relationship management, Employer branding and I&D.
• Demonstrates leadership ability to develop, guide and influence the execution of TAq strategies – including capacity management/demand planning, supplier relationship management, Employer branding and I&D. 
• Digitally savvy – curious and comfortable with new technologies, AI, ChatGPT.
• Agility & solutions orientated, confident in constructively questioning and challenging when appropriate.
• Demonstrate expertise in driving and implementing organisational change initiatives, ensuring alignment with business priorities and strategic objectives. Act as a champion for change, guiding teams, and stakeholders through transitions with clarity and confidence.
• Excellent partner management capabilities, with the ability to collaborate closely with the business and influence at senior levels.
• Proven experience in driving a high-performance team - motivating and empowering others, with a commitment to upskilling and developing future capabilities.
• Experienced in building talent pipelines, maintaining coaching relationships, and guiding candidates through end-to-end AstraZeneca hiring and the onboarding process.
• Understanding of Canadian Labour Law.

WHY JOIN US

At AstraZeneca, you'll join a dedicated inspiring team that's powering our rapidly growing enterprise. We utilise exciting new technology and digital innovations to accelerate our evolution. Our entrepreneurial spirit maintains our lead, as we apply creativity to every task. With countless opportunities available, this is the place to build an unrivalled reputation while making a big impact on patients' lives!

Ready to make a difference? Apply now

SO, WHAT’S NEXT

To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete the full application on our website at your earliest convenience – it is the only way that our Recruiter and Hiring Manager can know that you feel well qualified for this opportunity. If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this posting with them.

Alternatively, if you wish to schedule a confidential discussion to further explore this opportunity, please get in touch with: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samhunter1/

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 is purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm, and connect on key projects.

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

• GTAA Top Employer Award for 10 years
• Top 100 Employers Award
• Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture
• Learn more about working with us in Canada
• View our YouTube channel

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.