Senior Director, Development Training & Enablement (Medical & Scientific Focus)

Why Join Us?

 

Be a hero for our rare disease patients

 

At Ultragenyx, we fundamentally believe that taking real impactful action to care for the needs of patients and our people is always the right thing to do. To achieve this goal, our vision is to lead the future of rare disease medicine. For us, this means going where other biopharma companies won’t go – challenging the status quo and creating a new model that advances our field so more patients and caregivers can benefit from life-changing treatments. We do this by following the science, applying a novel rapid development approach, making innovative medicines at fair and reasonable prices, and creating a collaborative ecosystem to reach patients in ways that are most meaningful for them. 

 

Our commitment and care for patients extends to our people, so culture is an essential cornerstone for Ultragenyx. We remain continuously focused on creating a supportive and inclusive environment of profound learning and growth – so employees can thrive in all areas of their lives, in and outside of work. Ultimately, we want to be an organization where we would be proud for our family, friends and children to work.

 

If you want to have a meaningful impact, do the best work of your career, and grow a lot, both professionally and personally, come join our team .

Position Summary:

ultra dedicated – Your biggest challenges yield rare possibilities

The Senior Director, Development Training & Enablement (Medical & Scientific Focus) is a  key strategic leader  within Training, Change Management, and Communications supporting the Global Development Organization. This role is accountable for  shaping and advancing the enterprise training strategy, operating model, and multi-year roadmap for medical and scientific capability  building across Development including Medical Affairs. The Senior Director partners with senior and executive leaders to understand current and future capabilities  required , and  ensuring  strong alignment with organizational priorities, evolving portfolio needs, and scientific landscape. The role translates these needs into  prioritized, scalable, and measurable training programs  that strengthen role readiness, scientific  excellence  and organizational performance.   

As a trusted strategic partner and advisor, this role  provides  strategic leadership and oversight  of training programs that enhance capabilities across medical and scientific functions, while  maintaining  a close connection to field medical effectiveness, to deliver on current priorities and prepare for future portfolio needs.   

Work Model: 

Remote: Officially documented as working full-time from home, with travel to Ultragenyx's offices or other locations on occasion as needed.

Responsibilities:

1. Strategy & Portfolio Alignment   

Drive the development and evolution of multi-year medical and scientific training strategy and roadmap aligned with Development and enterprise priorities, portfolio strategy, and  Medical Affairs strategy.   

Translate enterprise and functional strategy into actionable training plans , ensuring effective execution and measurable impact.  

Provide strategic oversight of training frameworks, curriculum, systems , and delivery approaches, ensuring scalability and consistency across both field and development-facing roles.  

2. Executive Partnership & Governance   

Partner with senior and executive stakeholders across Development, Medical Affairs, and cross-functional teams  to shape priorities and align training strategy with broader organizational objectives and priorities.   

Facilitate and lead governance and engagement forums (e.g., Field Training Stakeholder Committee, and  UltraSpark )  to drive alignment, transparency, and strategic input across functions.  

Contribute to and influence cross-functional and organizational initiatives , representing training and capability development in strategic discussions.  

3. Learning Architecture & Readiness   

Provide strategic oversight of disease state, scientific, and capability-based training , ensuring alignment with Medical Affairs strategy and development objectives.  

Guide  the design and delivery of high-impact training programs , ensuring alignment with adult learning principles and scientific rigor.   

Establish and evolve certification frameworks  for medical and scientific roles to ensure readiness for current and future responsibilities.   

4. Impact, Innovation & Operational Excellence   

Continuously assess training effectiveness and  identify  opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and scalability  across Development training approaches.   

Identify  and drive cross-functional opportunities for alignment, shared content, and operational efficiencies  across Development and broader organization.   

Champion simplicity, efficiency, and scalability  in training processes and solutions, balancing enterprise needs with practical execution.  

Requirements:

At least 10+ years of Biotech/Pharma experience with at least 5+ years of developing and executing enterprise or global training strategies (an equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered).  

Deep understanding of the medical and scientific capability needs of Medical Affairs, Field medical, and Development organizations.   

Direct experience supporting or working within field medical, Medical Affairs, or another externally facing scientific function strongly preferred.   

Master’s degree in clinical field required; (RN, RNP, Nurse Education, or alternative).  

Instructional Design and/or Training Professional Certification preferred.  

Change Management certification preferred.  

Experience in instructional design principles of communication, training delivery methods, and adopting new learning technologies including AI or digitally enabled learning approaches.   

Experience designing and developing high-quality training solutions including capability models, curricula, learning pathways, certification program.   

Proven excellence in verbal and written communication to a wide variety of audiences.  

Must be able to participate in multiple departmental or interdepartmental strategic initiatives under limited supervision.  

Proven ability to build credibility, establish rapport, and maintain positive relationships with senior management, peers, and direct reports.   

Ability to quickly and consistently mobilize cross-functional stakeholders and drive to decisions without relying solely on formal authority.   

Strong leadership skills; communicates and demonstrates vision and commitment  

Willingness to work productively in dynamic fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.  

Demonstrated ability to use data and performance insights to measure impact.  

Excellent strategic planning, problem solving, and analytical skills, with a proven ability to lead and manage multiple enterprise priorities projects.  

Ability to advocate for efficiency and simplicity in process and fit-for-purpose training solutions.  

Willing to travel domestically and internationally.   

#LI-CS1  #LI-Remote The typical annual salary range for this full-time position is listed below. This range reflects the characteristics of the job, such as required skills and qualifications and is based on the office location noted in this job posting. The range may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.

This position is eligible for annual bonus and equity incentives. Actual individual pay is determined by demonstrated experience and internal equity alignment.

Pay Range $234,100 — $289,200 USD

 

Full Time employees across the globe enjoy a range of benefits, including, but not limited to:

 

·         Generous vacation time and public holidays observed by the company

·         Volunteer days

·         Long term incentive and Employee stock purchase plans or equivalent offerings

·         Employee wellbeing benefits

·         Fitness reimbursement

·         Tuition sponsoring

·         Professional development plans

• Benefits vary by region and country

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, disability, marital and veteran status, and any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for all protected statuses or classifications protected by applicable law, including individuals with disabilities, disabled veterans, for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, and based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants can request an accommodation prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, you may contact Talent Acquisition by emailing us at talentacquisition@ultragenyx.com .

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Note to External Recruiters : All candidate activity and open positions are managed strictly through our Human Resources Department. Our Human Resources Department kindly requests that recruiters not contact employees/hiring managers directly in an attempt to solicit business and present candidates. Please note that failure to comply with this request will be a factor in determining a professional relationship with our organization. Submission of unsolicited resumes prior to an agreement set in place between the Human Resources Department and the recruiting agency will not create any implied obligation.  Inquiries on developing a recruiting relationship with us, may be directed to :  talentacquisition@ultragenyx.com .