Talent & Development Director

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, cell & gene therapies and CNS. With several marketed products and a diverse pipeline of early‑to‑late‑stage investigational assets, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner.

For more information on SMPA, visit our website  or follow us on Linked In.

The Talent & Development Director is responsible for designing and delivering programs that strengthen leadership capabilities and drive talent initiatives specifically in the Field Sales and Commercial organization, and enterprise wide. This role encompasses building skills, fostering leadership effectiveness, and supporting talent management, employee development and organizational strategies. (Past experience working directly in Field Sales, as a Sales Leader is a requirement of this role.)

• Partners with Commercial Field Sales, Commercial Learning & Development, and HRBPs to ensure field sales‑specific processes, tools, scenarios, and on‑the‑job duties are integrated into leadership programs.

• Conducts needs assessments and leverages data to identify Field Sales and Commercial leadership capability gaps and recommend targeted solutions to meet and anticipate learner needs.

• Designs, delivers, and oversees SMPA University leadership development curriculum for Commercial teams and emerging leaders (provides internal facilitation for approximately 50% of programming).

• Ensures functional programs complement and reinforce core leadership offerings, including onboarding, first‑line leadership, and accelerated development programs.

• Facilitates functional meetings and team effectiveness interventions to promote collaboration and alignment in partnership with senior leadership and HRBPs.

• Collaborates on organizational effectiveness initiatives to strengthen culture, engagement, inclusion, and change readiness.

• Supports talent planning, workforce planning, succession planning, and performance management design for Field Sales in partnership with HRBPs.

• Designs and implements differentiated and accelerated development programs for high‑potential talent.

• Manages vendors and associated budgets, ensuring high‑quality program and participant experiences.

• Stays current with best practices and innovations in leadership development, adult learning, and organizational effectiveness.

• Strong understanding of adult learning principles, coaching methodologies, and assessment tools (e.g., 360‑degree feedback, personality assessments).

• Demonstrated expertise in situational leadership and leadership development frameworks.

• Proven ability to influence and partner with senior leaders.

• Instructional design expertise, including needs analysis, curriculum design, and program evaluation required.

• Advanced facilitation skills in both in‑person and virtual environments required.

• Strong stakeholder management, cross‑functional collaboration, and project management skills.

• Experience in vendor and budget management.

• Demonstrated capability and enthusiasm for AI and digital transformation in the workplace.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills required.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

• High emotional intelligence, self‑awareness, and organizational effectiveness skills.

• Certifications in leadership training models, change management, instructional design, or adult learning preferred.

• Certification in leadership assessment instruments (Insights preferred; MBTI, DiSC, Hogan a plus).

• Bachelor’s degree required;
  Master’s degree or L&D certifications a plus.

• Experience working directly in field sales, as a Sales Leader, required.

• Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience, including:

• • 5+ years of field sales leadership experience *

• 5+ years of leadership development experience, designing and delivering leadership programs for commercial or sales organizations.

• Demonstrated…