Learning & Development Training Specialist

The L&D Training Specialist is responsible for successfully providing oversight, support and implementation of key areas of the Learning & Development (L&D) function; including, but not limited to, talent and performance management initiatives, new hire orientation, employee development and training events/activities, and related platforms. Serves as a front-line employee contact for L&D, as well as primary contact for L&D vendors.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with a passion for learning and development, and ability to effectively build working relationships and manage various outside vendors.

Essential Job Functions:

Support the Learning & Development Team in the following:

• Manage logistics for all trainings and events, including calendaring, communications, materials, participant tracking, event set-up, survey creation/analysis etc.
• Manage the Corporate L&D learning management system (LMS), including appropriate documentation of course offerings and reporting.
• Manage and communicate annual learning and development calendar, ensuring cross-functional coordination and alignment.
• Manage the L&D email Inbox, and proactively respond to and/or expedite questions and requests.
• Work with vendors to help ensure that course offerings address current needs and align with Avanir’s values and culture.
• Oversee the L&D intranet pages, ensuring content is maintained and updated on-going.
• Keep up to date on the latest research and trends that could be beneficial to the talent strategy. Use this knowledge to identify potential improvement areas and/or implement enhancements to L&D processes or content.
• Partner with internal HR business partners and key stakeholders to determine appropriate talent solutions as situations arise, and to design, implement, and deliver (as needed) development solutions and programs that are effective and impactful.
• May also facilitate other team-building activities or sessions independently or as part of a team.

Participate in the design, implementation, and oversight of Avanir-wide performance management processes and talent management strategy initiatives. Including but not limited to:

• Oversee Workday system for performance and talent, process testing, and data integrity, etc.
• Manage communications and program/system logistics.
• Maintain on-going performance goal oversight for employees’ company wide.
• Support the team with company-wide survey management and communications.

Oversee and facilitate new hire orientation program (NHO) for all corporate employees, including but not limited to:

• Facilitate sessions and ELT lunches, and over the “Professional Avanir Liaison” (PAL) program and process.
• Administer new-hire survey and run, analyze, and present reports.
• Keep new hire resources and documents current.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Education/ Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree required.
• A minimum of 2 years of pharmaceutical or other healthcare sector work experience and/or years HR, L&D or related experience.
• Ability to create, organize, and disseminate information efficiently and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong time management skills and prioritization abilities. Ability to handle multiple projects, often with conflicting deadlines.
• Initiative to do whatever it takes to get things done and quickly resolve unanticipated problems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and/or influence complex information, verbally and in writing, concisely and in a manner which drives people to take action.
• Strong presentation skills and communicates effectively; engaging workshop facilitator.
• Experience planning and coordinating training, large meetings or events.
• Analytical and comfortable using data and technology. Agility with HR platforms such as Workday, Skillsoft, learning management (LMS) and development platforms, etc.
• Experience with Outlook, MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SharePoint, Zoom, MS Teams, GoToWebinar, etc. 
• Detail oriented and excellent organizational skills; accuracy is essential.
• Strong action orientation – able to execute on ideas and execute against clear plans with autonomy.
• Knowledgeable in learning principles and instructional design.

Physical Requirements:

This position primarily works in an office environment. It requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time and frequent walking. Daily use of a computer, phone, office equipment and other computing and digital devices is required. May be required to stand for extended periods when facilitating meetings or walking in the facilities. Some local travel may be necessary, so the ability to travel by plane, operate a motor vehicle and maintain a valid Driver’s license and/or effectively navigate public transportation is required. While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee must be able to read and respond to interoffice communications as well as effectively participate in meetings. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to lift up to 20 lbs., pull, push, carry, handle or feel. The employee is required to carry, handle items, reach with arms and hands, to stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk or hear. Mental demands may require prolonged concentration, reading comprehension, understanding and interpretation of concepts, ideas and philosophies.  The physical demands of the position described herein are essential functions of the job and employees must be able to successfully perform these tasks for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made for those individuals with real or perceived disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job described unless such accommodations would cause Avanir an undue burden.

Work Environment:

While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the job holder will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job unless such accommodations would cause Avanir an undue burden. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving carts, mechanical equipment (copiers, computers, coffee machines) and vehicles. May be subject to smells and odors. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. The passage of employees through the work area is average and normal.

EEO Statement:

As an equal opportunity employer, Avanir Pharmaceuticals is committed to providing all applicants and employees with equal access to employment opportunities, regardless of sex, race, age, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation transgender status, gender identity, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  All Avanir Pharmaceuticals employees, officers, principles, agents, and representatives are expressly prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination.  Consistent with federal, state, and local requirements, Avanir Pharmaceuticals will reasonably accommodate any qualified individual with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to perform the essential functions or the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship.

Avanir Pharmaceuticals shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR-60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a).  These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of protected veteran status or disability, and require affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.