Associate Director - Chemical Platform Learning Architect

Associate Director – Chemical Platform Learning Architect

Location: Houston, TX (Primary) | Huntsville, AL (Alternative)

Employment Type: Full-Time | Permanent

Workplace: On-site, 4–5 days per week

Compensation: Up to $187,000 USD annually

Travel: Approximately 25% within the United States

Relocation Assistance: Available

About the Opportunity

ElitePath Consulting is partnering with a global pharmaceutical organization to recruit an experienced Associate Director – Chemical Platform Learning Architect .

This strategic leadership opportunity focuses on developing and implementing learning architectures, technical qualification frameworks, and workforce capability programs supporting chemical synthesis and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing across multiple facilities.

The successful candidate will collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Technical Services, Engineering, EHS, HR, and site learning teams to strengthen workforce qualifications, regulatory compliance, operational readiness, and manufacturing excellence.

This is a technical manufacturing learning leadership position, not a general corporate Learning & Development role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of learning strategies and curriculum architecture supporting chemical synthesis and API manufacturing operations across multiple sites.
• Design and implement competency-based learning pathways aligned with technical manufacturing processes, GMP requirements, and operational expectations.
• Establish standardized technical qualification programs, structured on-the-job training (OJT), certification, and requalification frameworks.
• Develop learning governance structures, templates, performance measures, and standardized qualification processes.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Technical Services, Engineering, EHS, HR, and site learning teams to identify technical competency gaps.
• Ensure learning programs, qualification documentation, and Learning Management System (LMS) processes support GMP compliance, data integrity, and regulatory inspection readiness.
• Provide matrixed leadership and guidance to approximately 10 contributors across five manufacturing sites.
• Support greenfield manufacturing initiatives, facility startups, technology transfers, and operational scale-up through workforce qualification and technical readiness programs.
• Establish measurable learning outcomes and drive continuous improvement across the manufacturing learning network.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Learning & Development, Organizational Development, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a regulated environment; approximately 7–10 years is strongly preferred.
• Direct experience in GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing involving chemical synthesis, API production, or comparable chemical operations.
• Demonstrated ownership of technical learning programs, curriculum development, instructional design, or manufacturing qualification frameworks.
• Experience developing competency models, structured OJT programs, technical training curricula, and qualification systems.
• Working knowledge of GMP training records, LMS processes, documentation requirements, and inspection readiness.
• Experience partnering with cross-functional technical and manufacturing stakeholders.
• Strong program leadership, stakeholder management, change management, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead initiatives across multiple sites in a matrixed organizational structure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting greenfield pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, site launches, technology transfers, or production scale-up.
• Previous leadership of enterprise-wide or multi-site technical learning programs.
• Expertise in adult learning methodologies, instructional design, and learning governance.
• Experience developing workforce qualification frameworks for chemical manufacturing or API operations.
• Familiarity with manufacturing operational-readiness milestones and technical capability development.

Location & Work Requirements

The primary location is Houston, Texas , with Huntsville, Alabama , also considered.

This position requires on-site presence approximately 4–5 days per week and approximately 25% domestic travel.

Candidates outside commuting distance must be willing to relocate. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States (Green Card or US Citizens Only) . Visa sponsorship is not available.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary: $127,500–$187,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
• Comprehensive full-time employee benefits.
• Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.
• Opportunity to lead high-impact technical learning initiatives within a global pharmaceutical manufacturing network.