Sr Director, Commercial Skills & Training

About the role

The Senior Director, Commercial Skills & Training is responsible for leading the design, adaptation, implementation, and continuous improvement of commercial capability building initiatives across the US organization.

Responsibilities

• Translate global Commercial Excellence strategy into localized learning journeys, curricula, and capability-building initiatives for the US market while contributing to the development of an always more comprehensive Global offering.
• Serve as a strategic partner to US Commercial Excellence leadership, identifying capability gaps and defining training priorities.
• Ensure strong alignment between global frameworks (e.g., ASK & INSPIRE, Value-Based Selling) and US market execution.
• Lead the adaptation and deployment of global training programs in the US (virtual, in-person, blended).
• Oversee the development of locally relevant learning assets, leveraging global content and ensuring consistency.
• Facilitate high-impact training sessions and ensure excellence in delivery standards.
• Partner with Sales Leadership to embed training into daily field execution and coaching routines.
• Coordinate and/or directly manage product training programs for designated Business Units.
• Ensure integration between product knowledge and commercial selling capabilities.
• Partner with BU stakeholders and subject matter experts to maintain accurate, impactful, and up-to-date product training content.
• Act as a key interface between US Commercial teams, Global CommEx, and Business/Market Units.
• Collaborate with global teams to ensure harmonization while enabling local flexibility.
• Engage senior stakeholders to ensure strong adoption and sponsorship of training initiatives.
• Define/adopt and track KPIs for training effectiveness and behavior change.
• Leverage data (e.g., surveys, field feedback, performance indicators) to continuously improve programs.
• Ensure data integrity and compliance for training records.
• Manage training planning, logistics, and budget ownership for US initiatives.
• Ensure high-quality execution and consistency across all training activities.
• Contribute to the evolution of the global Commercial Excellence learning ecosystem.
• People Leadership (Direct or Dotted-Line)
• Lead and develop a small team of skills & training managers, clinical specialists, and instructional designers.
• Provide direction, coaching, and performance management aligned with Commercial Excellence priorities.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, feedback, and high performance.
• Attend local, national, and global meetings as needed.
• Completes all training requirements, including all department-specific, compliance training, etc.
• Participates in any and all reasonable work activities as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Life Sciences, Education or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of related experience in Commercial Excellence, Sales, Learning & Development, or Commercial Capability Building within healthcare / Pharma / MedTech.
• Minimum of 7 years management experience.
• Proven experience leading training initiatives, product training and/or close collaboration with Business Units.
• Strong track record of working in complex, matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
• Deep understanding of commercial processes and field execution models.
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Digital fluency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), and other platforms (i.e., Salesforce.com).
• Travel is required to attend meetings (external and internal)/tradeshows/customer visits/trainings (approximately 30%) and is based on business need (via public transportation: air/auto); may require overnight travel.
• Demonstrated strong business acumen with the ability to translate business needs into strategic priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Strategic thinking and visionary leader with the ability to think enterprise-wide while driving disciplined execution.
• Experience leading organizational change initiatives.
• Able to manage and prioritize multiple complex projects with demonstrated time management skills.
• Excellent organizational skills accompanied by strong planning skills and attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High accountability and ownership mindset.
• Cultural awareness and ability to operate in global/local contexts.
• Ability to work flexible hours and weekends to meet business/customer needs.