HR Graduate Program
Human Resources (HR) Graduate Program
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
At AstraZeneca, we are united by a common purpose: to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. Every day, we make a difference by delivering potentially life-changing medicines to millions of people worldwide. Our purpose is ambitious and so is our approach. Becoming a more agile and creative company means building a dynamic, inspiring culture where we celebrate diverse, bold thinking, are curious, creative, and open to new ideas and ways of working.
Our people strategy is enabling us to create a great place to work and a sustainable organization which will enable AstraZeneca to improve patients’ lives today and in the future. We are building and developing organizations, capabilities, and a strong leadership pipeline. We value diversity and aim to attract, retain and develop a talented workforce who thrive in a vibrant high performing culture, with a passion for people development.
Our Human Resources (HR) Graduate Program is designed to identify individuals with the potential to develop the skills and experience our next generation of HR leaders need to succeed. We are looking for future leaders who are:
- Keen to develop an understanding of how business operates, and how HR contributes to its success through the development of individual talent and organization-wide people strategies
- Excited by opportunities to analyze and interpret data to generate insights and actions that address business challenges and improve organizational performance
- Motivated to explore advances in new and emerging technology, and identify the opportunities technology offers to advance HR’s impact on the business
- Believe that actions, behaviors, values and ideas can influence others and help promote a positive, inclusive culture
How Does The Program Work?
The program will help you identify and build on your natural strengths, skills and passions, and support your development as an HR professional.
A key element of this three-year program is leadership development. The first two years of the program will include three individual, eight-month placements, each of which will provide invaluable experience and insight into how HR influences decisions, helps set strategy, and makes an impact across AstraZeneca.
You will join the program in AstraZeneca’s Gaithersburg, MD facility, which creates life-changing medicines for people around the world and employs more than 3,500 experts. Located only a short drive from Washington, DC, this modern and vibrant scientific campus is the home of R&D and Oncology in the US. Here, we play host to some of the most cutting-edge technology and lab spaces, all designed to inspire collaboration and cross-functional science. We believe employees benefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration.
As part of the Human Resources team at AstraZeneca, you will have the opportunity to thrive in a dynamic, creative and purposeful environment where results-oriented, innovative thinking is encouraged.
Our Gaithersburg, MD HR Team leads a range of HR functions globally and locally, from Strategic HR Business Partnering through to Global Rewards, and new leading edge Data Science & Analytics, Talent Research and HR Optimization. It’s a supportive, developmental environment where you will help contribute to the business with impact and big thinking. You will gain HR and business competency, learn from experienced colleagues and mentors, and create a competitive advantage for your future!
This innovative program is designed to help build your professional HR skills, understanding of different cultures, develop a global mindset, and broaden your experience of our business. Although you’ll begin the program in Gaithersburg, MD, the program provides an opportunity to live and work abroad, and to gain experience enabling you to understand the challenges and impact of an HRBP within a business unit.
Placements that could be available across our HR function include:
- HR Business Partnering and Strategic Workforce Planning
- Data and Workforce Effectiveness through Data Science and Machine Learning (super new)
- Talent Development
- Talent Acquisition
- International Labor and Employee Relations
- Rewards
- HR Business Process and Services
- HR Program and Portfolio Management
Throughout the program your manager will work with you to review your progress towards achieving your placement objectives and personal development goals. You will work together to create the right opportunities to deliver the training, challenges, and development opportunities you need to succeed.
On successful completion of your placements you’ll progress into a consolidation role for your third year.
Essential Requirements
The HR Graduate Program is open to graduates in any discipline who have completed their bachelor’s degree with a minimum of a 3.0 (GPA), or master’s degree in 2020, or are due to graduate before September 2021.
You should also be:
- Passionate about working in HR and the pharmaceutical industry, with a real ambition to make a difference to patients and our business
- Curious and open to new experiences, with the flexibility to work anywhere within HR
- Driven to take personal responsibility for your own development
- Open to feedback and eager to develop
- Confident challenging existing ways of working
- Proactive and keen to apply digital solutions to business challenges
Advert opening date – Feb 1, 2021
Advert closing date – April 3, 2021