Director, R&D Learning & Development

See yourself at Twilio

 Join the team in Twilio’s R&D organization as our new Director of L&D.

Who we are & why we’re hiring

Twilio powers real-time business communications and data solutions that help companies and developers worldwide build better applications and customer experiences.

Although we're headquartered in San Francisco, we have presence throughout South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. We're on a journey to becoming a global company that actively opposes racism and all forms of oppression and bias. At Twilio, we support diversity, equity & inclusion wherever we do business.

About the job

Twilio is the world’s leading customer engagement platform empowering developers to build modern communication applications and experiences.  Twilio’s R&D team is looking for their Director of Learning and Development to shape the future of the organization.  We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of L&D to lead the strategic design and implementation of comprehensive learning initiatives within Twilio’s R&D organization. This role will focus on enhancing and upleveling employee skills, fostering creativity, and ensuring a deep understanding of our product portfolio and development processes. Be part of a forward-thinking organization that values innovation and employee growth, where you have the opportunity to shape the learning culture and drive impactful change across the R&D function.

You will be partnering and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders from Product, Engineering, Operations, central L&D and Human Resources to craft a thoughtful ecosystem for partnership to lead the strategic design and implementation of comprehensive learning initiatives within Twilio’s R&D organization. If you are excited about building and leading a high-performing L&D team within Product Operations, this is the opportunity for you.

Responsibilities

In this role, you’ll be responsible for:

• Team Development: Build and lead a dedicated Learning and Development team to create tailored learning role-based learning paths for upskilling R&D employees for Product Managers, Software Engineers, Technical Program Managers, and Individual Contributors. This team will be responsible for facilitating Tweek Week hackathons and developer-oriented activities to inspire creativity and address customer pain points. 
• Product Training: Partner with R&D leadership to design engaging training sessions for onboarding new R&D employees, ensuring they are well-versed in our product portfolio and can effectively convey product value.
• Executive Training: Partner with our Enterprise L&D team to develop and implement a comprehensive training program for all R&D Directors and above to enhance their skills in delivering our product strategy to customers, focusing on effective communication and customer engagement strategies.
• PDLC Framework: Partner with VP of Product Operations to establish a structured learning plan to educate employees on a standardized product development lifecycle framework with clear RACI  (responsible, accountable, consult, inform) matrices, required artifacts, and robust governance mechanisms. The PDLC is the official process Twilio will follow to take a product from idea to build to launch and scale. A consistent PDLC with a well defined and aligned RACI will ensure that all stakeholders can be held accountable for their contribution to building successful products.
• Documentation Training: Create and deliver a learning path for employees on best practices for writing critical documents, including PRFAQs (Product Requirement FAQs), MRDs (Market Requirements Documents), WPR (Weekly Product Review Documents), and other relevant documentation artifacts.
• Partner with a variety of stakeholders in Product Management, Engineering, Operations and Human Resources to ensure outcome alignment on critical L&D programs and initiatives.

Qualifications 

Not all applicants will have skills that match a job description exactly. Twilio values diverse experiences in other industries, and we encourage everyone who meets the required qualifications to apply. While having “desired” qualifications make for a strong candidate, we encourage applicants with alternative experiences to also apply. If your career is just starting or hasn't followed a traditional path, don't let that stop you from considering Twilio. We are always looking for people who will bring something new to the table!

Required:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Education, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline).
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in Product Operations, Learning and Development, Training, or Organizational Development, preferably in an R&D or technology-driven environment.
  • Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams.
  • Experience in designing and implementing training programs, particularly in technical fields or within R&D organizations.
• Technical Skills:
  • Understanding of the Product Development Lifecycle and RACI frameworks.
• Communication Skills:
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and engagingly.
• Creativity and Innovation:
  • Strong ability to foster a culture of creativity and innovation through learning activities such as hackathons and workshops.
• Strategic Thinking: 
  • Ability to align L&D initiatives with R&D organizational goals and business strategy.
• Analytical Skills:
  • Ability to assess training needs and measure the effectiveness of learning initiatives through data analysis and feedback mechanisms.
• Learning Technologies: 
  • Familiarity with e-learning platforms, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and other digital tools.
• Project Management:
  • Experience in managing multiple training projects, including planning, execution, and evaluation.
• Cultural Competence: 
  • Understanding of diverse learning styles and cultural differences to create inclusive training experiences.
• Strong Leadership Presence
  • Ability to influence at all levels of the organization and across functions.
• Passionate about learning and development:
  • Continuous improvement mindset. 

Location

This role will be remote but is not eligible to be hired in San Francisco, CA, Oakland, CA, San Jose, CA, or the surrounding areas.

Travel

We prioritize connection and opportunities to build relationships with our customers and each other. For this role, approximately 5-10% travel is anticipated to help you connect in-person in a meaningful way. 

What We Offer

There are many benefits to working at Twilio, including, in addition to competitive pay, things like generous time-off, ample parental and wellness leave, healthcare, a retirement savings program, and much more. Offerings vary by location.

Twilio thinks big. Do you?

We like to solve problems, take initiative, pitch in when needed, and are always up for trying new things. That's why we seek out colleagues who embody our values — something we call Twilio Magic. Additionally, we empower employees to build positive change in their communities by supporting their volunteering and donation efforts.

So, if you're ready to unleash your full potential, do your best work, and be the best version of yourself, apply now!

If this role isn't what you're looking for, please consider other open positions.

*Please note this role is open to candidates outside of Colorado, California, New York,Washington and Washington D.C. The information below is provided for candidates hired in those locations only.

The estimated pay ranges for this role are as follows:

• Based in Colorado: $185,000-$205,000.
• Based in Washington D.C.: $185,000-$205,000.
• Based in New York, Washington State, or the San Francisco Bay area, California: $174,000 - $217,000
• This role may be eligible to participate in Twilio’s equity plan. All roles are eligible for the following benefits: health care insurance, 401(k) retirement account, paid sick time, paid personal time off, paid parental leave.

The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location within the state. 

Applications for this role are intended to be accepted until November 4th, 2024 but may change based on business needs. 

Twilio is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Twilio is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Additionally, Twilio participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law.

Twilio is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at accommodation@twilio.com.