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

About this role

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:
ultradedicated – 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

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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.

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

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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

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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.

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

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

3. Learning Architecture & Readiness

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

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

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

4. Impact, Innovation & Operational Excellence

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

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

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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…