VP, Learning & Development

At Advarra, we are passionate about making a difference in the world of clinical research and advancing human health. With a rich history rooted in ethical review services combined with innovative technology solutions and deep industry expertise, we are at the forefront of industry change. A market leader and pioneer, Advarra breaks the silos that impede clinical research, aligning patients, sites, sponsors, and CROs in a connected ecosystem to accelerate trials.

Our employees are the heart of Advarra. They are the key to our success and the driving force behind our mission and vision. Our values (Patient-Centric, Ethical, Quality Focused, Collaborative) guide our actions and decisions. Knowing the impact of our work on trial participants and patients, we act with urgency and purpose to advance clinical research so that people can live happier, healthier lives.

At Advarra, we seek to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone is treated with respect and diverse perspectives are embraced. Treating one another, our clients, and clinical trial participants with empathy and care are key tenets of our culture at Advarra; we are committed to creating a workplace where each employee is not only valued but empowered to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

The Vice President of Learning & Development (L&D) is a senior enterprise executive responsible for defining and driving Advarra’s global learning, capability, and workforce development strategy. This role serves as the organization’s top authority on talent capability building, ensuring that learning investments directly enable business strategy, innovation, regulatory excellence, and long-term growth.

As a key member of the HR leadership team and strategic advisor to the CHRO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the VP establishes enterprise-wide learning vision, governance, and operating models that scale across a complex, regulated environment. This leader drives a high-impact Learning & Development function that integrates leadership development, compliance, and organizational capability building a cohesive learning experience for our employees.

The VP chairs the Learning Council and influences enterprise prioritization, ensuring alignment between business strategy, workforce capabilities, and measurable outcomes. This role has full accountability for learning strategy, technology, governance, budget, and outcomes across the organization.

• Define and lead a forward-looking enterprise learning and capability strategy aligned to Advarra’s values, growth, innovation, and regulatory priorities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CHRO and Executive Leadership Team, shaping workforce readiness, transformation initiatives, and future skills planning.
• Translate business strategy into enterprise capability roadmaps, ensuring the organization is equipped to scale and compete.

• Establish a holistic capability development framework, integrating leadership development, technical training, and professional growth pathways.
• Drive enterprise leadership development strategy, including executive development, succession readiness, and high-potential programs.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, culture, and performance through learning.

• Chair the Enterprise Learning Council, setting governance, prioritization, and investment decisions across all business units.
• Establish and enforce enterprise standards, frameworks, and policies for learning design, delivery, and measurement.
• Ensure alignment and integration of learning initiatives across functions, geographies, and business lines.

• Own, simplify and evolve the enterprise learning ecosystem, including LMS and emerging learning technologies (AI-enabled learning, skills platforms, etc.).
• Drive innovation in learning delivery models, including digital, experiential, and just-in-time learning.
• Position L&D as a strategic enabler of transformation, not just a service function.

• Provide executive oversight for compliance and regulatory training strategy, ensuring alignment with legal, quality, and industry standards.
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, and Quality to mitigate risk and ensure audit readiness across the enterprise.

• Define and implement enterprise KPIs tied to business outcomes, including performance, productivity, compliance, and revenue enablement.
• Deliver executive-level reporting and insights on learning impact, ROI, and capability gaps.
• Use data to drive continuous improvement and strategic investment decisions.

• Own the enterprise L&D budget, ensuring disciplined investment aligned with strategic priorities.
• Oversee a portfolio of external partners, vendors, and content providers, optimizing value and innovation.

• Lead and develop a high-performing, enterprise L&D organization, including the Center of Excellence (CoE).
• Build leadership bench strength within the function and foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

This role is open to candidates working remotely in the United States.

• 15+ years of progressive experience in Learning & Development, Talent Development, Organizational Effectiveness, or related field.
• 8-10+ years in senior executive or enterprise leadership roles with broad organizational impact.
• Proven experience defining and executing enterprise-wide learning or talent strategies.
• Demonstrated success influencing C-suite and senior stakeholders.
• Deep experience in regulated environments with compliance-driven learning requirements.
• Expertise in learning technologies, analytics, and digital transformation.

• Experience in healthcare, life sciences, clinical research, or technology-enabled services.
• Strong background in enterprise transformation, change management, or workforce strategy.
• Advanced degree (MBA, MA/MS in OD, HR, or related field).
• Relevant certifications (CPTD, SHRM-SCP, or equivalent).
• Experience scaling learning in high-growth or private equity-backed environments.

• Sit or stand for extended periods of time at stationary workstation
• Regularly carry, raise, and lower objects of up to 10 Lbs.
• Learn and comprehend basic instructions
• Focus and attention to tasks and responsibilities
• Verbal communication; listening and understanding, responding, and speaking

Advarra is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identify), national origin, age, disability or genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The base salary range for this role is $162,000 to $266,000. Note that salary may vary based on location, skills, and experience and may vary from the amounts listed above. This position may also be eligible for a variable bonus in addition to base salary as well as health coverage, paid holidays, and other benefits.