Director - Learning & Talent Management

About Us

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world.

The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.

Role Summary

We are looking for a Director of Learning & Talent Management to lead the strategy, design, and delivery of how our people learn, grow, and perform. This leader will build and oversee our learning and development programs, from onboarding new hires through enterprise-wide training and leadership development, while also owning our talent management framework, including employee listening, performance management, goal-setting, calibration, and succession planning. The ideal candidate connects learning and performance into one coherent system that builds capability, supports career growth, and drives business results. This role is based out of our Palo Alto, California office with a flex 3 days a week onsite and reports to the Head of People.

Responsibilities

Learning & Development

• Define and execute an enterprise learning strategy, aligned with business priorities and workforce needs that embeds learning directly into the flow of work.

• Design next-generation onboarding so new hires reach productivity quickly and feel welcomed from day one.

• Own the compliance training program, ensuring regulatory and policy requirements are met, tracked, and documented across the organization.

• Build immersive leadership and manager development experiences that prepare current and emerging leaders to coach, communicate, and make sound decisions.

• Maintain a modern learning tech stack by evaluating, procuring, and integrating LMS/LXP platforms, AI coaching assistants, and emerging talent technologies.

Integrated Talent Management

• Design and execute an agile, continuous performance management framework, including check-ins, feedback processes, and review cycles.

• Modernize employee listening by deploying multimodal listening channels (pulse surveys, lifecycle checkpoints, passive sentiment analysis), to rapidly surface organizational themes, flight risks, and operational friction points.

• Lead objective, equitable calibration and talent reviews, leveraging evidence-based input and talent data to eliminate bias in assessment, compensation, and promotions.

• Use the job architecture as the shared foundation for leveling, promotion, and development decisions so that feedback is consistent, transparent, and tied to observable capability rather than individual judgment.

• Build proactive succession planning process for critical roles, identifying ready-now and emerging successors and closing readiness gaps through targeted development.

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead, mentor, and foster an agile, experimentation-first Learning & Talent team.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on capability building, workforce readiness, and organizational effectiveness.

• Manage the learning and talent budget, vendor relationships, and program ROI reporting.

• Establish clear metrics for program effectiveness, such as time to productivity, completion and compliance rates, manager effectiveness, performance outcomes, and engagement scores, and report results to executive leadership.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience across Learning & Development, Talent Management, or Organizational Effectiveness, with 3+ years leading high-performing teams.

• Proven track record designing and executing enterprise-scale performance management, calibration, and succession planning frameworks.

• Direct experience implementing modern learning or talent technologies (e.g., LXP platforms, dynamic skills engines, employee listening platforms).

• Demonstrated experience designing and running enterprise-scale onboarding, compliance, and leadership development programs.

• Strong project management skills, with experience balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders.

• Strong knowledge of change management principles and agile program delivery.

Total Rewards

We build the exceptional — and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.

Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans, including applicable vesting requirements.

In addition to our compensation programs, we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees — including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country. Learn more about our global benefit programs .

External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site ( https://rivianvw.tech/#careers ). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board .

Equal Opportunity

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.