Associate Director, HR Process Optimization

About the role

This role serves as the strategic and operational backbone of People function, owning and evolving process enablement, AI readiness, training, and knowledge infrastructure across all HR COEs. Positioned as a critical connector between HCM, IT, and the broader employee experience, this role ensures that People Operations runs with precision, scalability, and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Organization Transformation, leveraging the Transformation COE framework, to lead communication planning and enablement execution for HR technology projects, policy updates, and AI adoption initiatives.

• Develop targeted enablement campaigns, engagement tracking, and manager toolkits that drive measurable uptake and support the organization's shift from manual process execution to human-AI collaboration.

• Serve as HR's primary subject matter expert for AI, automation, and intelligent workflow tools. Define and maintain an AI orchestration roadmap for People Operations - identifying HR workflows suited for agentic automation and sequencing adoption to build organizational readiness progressively.

• Lead assessment and scaling of AI-powered HR solutions including generative AI, AI-driven analytics, intelligent process automation (IPA), HR chatbots/virtual assistants, and agentic AI workflows; partner with IT, Legal, and vendors to evaluate tools against regulatory compliance, data security, and enterprise architecture requirements.

• Partner with the IT PM function to build and maintain an HR AI Governance Framework covering responsible use policies, bias monitoring, data privacy compliance (including applicable pharma/biotech regulatory standards), audit trails, and human-in-the-loop oversight protocols for AI agent ecosystems operating across Workday, ServiceNow, and related platforms.

• Serve as a partner to L&D to develop and deliver AI literacy curricula equipping HR teams and end-users with responsible use principles, prompt literacy, and workflow integration skills to confidently engage with AI tools as collaborative partners.

Requirements

• A minimum of Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in HR, Business, Organizational Development, Information Systems, or related field preferred along with 8+ years of progressive HR or People Technology experience required; prior experience in Pharma and/or Biotech strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience evaluating, piloting, and scaling AI-powered HR tools, automation platforms, or intelligent workflow solutions; hands-on experience with AI governance or responsible AI frameworks preferred.

• Strong functional expertise in designing HR processes based on business needs, with the technical capability to implement and optimize those processes within an HR platform. Workday HCM. Familiarity with Workday HCM, ServiceNow HR or similar platforms preferred.

• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts, natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLMs), agentic AI, and intelligent process automation (IPA) - ability to evaluate tools and communicate use cases to non-technical stakeholders.

• Working knowledge of process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent); proficiency with AI productivity tools, knowledge management platforms.

• Excellent analytical, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to translate complex technical concepts for all organizational levels.

• Highly organized with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and rapidly evolving technology environments - a learner's mindset and demonstrated ability to evaluate and scale emerging HR technologies is essential.

Qualifications

• Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Skills

• Strong functional expertise in designing HR processes based on business needs, with the technical capability to implement and optimize those processes within an HR platform.

• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts, natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLMs), agentic AI, and intelligent process automation (IPA).

• Proficiency with AI productivity tools, knowledge management platforms.

• Excellent analytical, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to translate complex technical concepts for all organizational levels.

• Highly organized with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and rapidly evolving technology environments - a learner's mindset and demonstrated ability to evaluate and scale emerging HR technologies is essential.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage and mental health support, annual wellbeing reimbursement, and access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Generous paid time off policies, fertility and family-forming benefits, caregiver support, and flexible work schedules with purposeful in-person collaboration.

• 401(k) plan with a competitive company match, annual equity awards, and participation in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and company-paid life and disability insurance.

• Company Learning Institute providing access to LinkedIn Learning, skill building workshops, leadership programs, mentorship connections, and networking opportunities.

• Employee resource groups, service and recognition programs, and meaningful opportunities to connect, volunteer, and give back.

Pay

$155,000.00-201,500.00 Annual

Schedule

Remote