Associate Director Capability & Learning

Job Description

An exciting opportunity to lead the Carlow site Learning, Capability and Digital Enablement function as Associate Director of Capability and Learning. This role is responsible for ensuring workforce readiness, compliance and inspection readiness.  Set the site capability strategy and translate business priorities and hoshins into scalable solutions, measurable outcomes and sustainable performance improvement through simplification, continuous improvement and modern learning technologies.    

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation to carry out the following:

Capability Strategy and Performance Enablement  

• Lead the site learning and capability strategy aligned to priorities, Hoshins and Carlow’s launch powerhouse ambition.  

• Translate business priorities into a multi-year capability roadmap and annual plan with clear milestones, ownership and measures.  

• Partner with site leaders to identify critical capability gaps and implement fit-for-purpose interventions.  

• Build leadership, digital and operational capability with a clear link to business performance.  

• Lead site onboarding and induction in partnership with Global Learning and Development.

Learning Design, Digital Enablement and Simplification  

• Develop practical, scalable role-based curricula, skills matrices and qualification pathways. 

• Define the site digital learning approach to improve access, user experience, scalability and effectiveness. 

• Use digital, AI-enabled and immersive solutions where appropriate to strengthen capability and reduce manual work. 

• Simplify curricula and optimise training demand, removing duplicate or low-value training while maintaining compliance and role readiness. 

• Use learning-system data and trends to identify root causes and drive sustainable improvement 

Learning Operations, Systems and Compliance 

• Govern the site training system, including curricula, assignments, qualification records, reporting and data integrity. 

• Maintain compliance with QMS, training and qualification requirements and an audit- and inspection-ready state. 

• Represent the site on training and qualification matters during audits, inspections and governance reviews. 

• Act as Sub-System Owner for EHS Training, ensuring effective governance and continuous improvement. 

• Maintain governance of learning content, qualification standards, issue escalation and corrective actions. 

Continuous Improvement, Partnerships and Leadership 

• Improve learning processes and operations using MPS, structured problem solving and data-led decision making. 

• Establish measures for compliance, capability, learning effectiveness, process performance and business impact. 

• Partner with site leadership, functions, Global L&D, shared services and external providers, leveraging global solutions and avoiding duplication. 

• Lead and develop the L&D and capability team, creating clarity, accountability, inclusion and a continuous improvement mindset. 

• Lead key projects and own the site training budget and cost centre, balancing operational needs with strategic priorities. 

Skills, qualification and experience you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering or a related technical discipline.

• Relevant learning, capability development or business excellence experience in a highly regulated environment. 

• Demonstrated ability to shape capability strategy and translate business priorities into measurable plans. 

• Strong experience influencing senior stakeholders in a complex matrix organisation. 

• Experience across learning systems, curricula, qualification, continuous improvement and digital enablement. 

• Strong people and change leadership, communication and programme delivery skills; experience with AI-enabled or immersive learning is an advantage. 

Our facility in Carlow site broke ground in 2008 and is a filling site for the launch and commercial supply of vaccines, biologics and small molecule drug product. Since its initial launch, the site has attracted significant internal investment and is now home to a number of state-of-the-art production facilities, laboratories and temperature-controlled warehousing units. The Carlow site is a significant employer in the South East region and attracts high performing talent through close collaborations with universities and colleges in the region

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs. 

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. 

Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process. 

We are committed to flexible working where possible, and this is why our Company has introduced a new hybrid working model for office-based colleagues around the world. 

Please feel free to speak to us about what flexibility means to you during your application. 

Required Skills:

Building Capability, Business Decisions, Change Management, Collaborative Leadership, Competency Development, Compliance Training, Continuous Improvement, Digital Learning, Employee Training, Instructional Design, Leadership Development Programs, Leadership Theories, Learning and Development (L&D)

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

10/9/2026

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