Program Manager, Talent Management Operations

GAQ126R170

Role Overview:
As a Program Manager, you will be at the forefront of establishing and working with our Director of Career Programs to build a Center of Excellence (COE) starting with Talent Architecture. You will partner closely with the Career Program Director to define and operationalize our career strategy at Databricks. You will help define clear expectations for all Bricksters through clear, strong career ladders and chart the pathways and programs for Bricksters to build their career at Databricks. 

This is the first phase of a multi-year effort that raises the talent bar and supports our overall company growth strategy. Our career ladders are a critical variable to that strategy, including how we assess talent externally, internally, and promote and move talent to meet the demands of our scaling business.

This is a dynamic role—some days, you will partner with Program Directors on strategy, at other points, you may execute the strategy or programs, and at other points, you will be in the weeds of our job architecture data. As the COE matures, you will establish other career development programs to support organizational growth and employee advancement.

You will collaborate closely with key partners, including business leaders, People Partners, Compensation, Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, and Learning & Development (L&D). This position reports to the Senior Manager, Talent Management Operations.

The Impact You Will Have:

• Support building the Talent Architecture COE: Build and operationalize a global framework for career ladders, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and scalability.
• Develop and Implement Career Ladders: Collaborate with business leaders and People Team stakeholders to create and implement career ladders that support talent mobility and growth.
• Process Optimization: Establish and refine repeatable processes for creating, maintaining, and updating career ladders, ensuring consistency and integration across People programs.

Cross-functional Collaboration: Serve as the primary connection point between the COE and other key stakeholders, driving alignment and adoption of talent architecture initiatives.

• Data and Insights: Establish and monitor performance benchmarks and KPIs to evaluate the effectiveness of the Talent Management programs supported.
• Evolve Career Development Programming: Lead efforts to design and implement additional career development programs (in partnership with L&D) as talent architecture matures, supporting long-term organizational growth and employee engagement.

What We Look For:

• Experience: 7+ years of experience managing cross-functional projects and programs, with a proven track record in process optimization, change management, or HR strategy implementation in the Talent Management space.
• Builder Mindset: Track record of leading and scaling programs.  Comfortable with the adaptation needed to mature and scale at the company level.  
• Operating in micro and macro environments: Ability to operate at 30,000 ft and in the weeds - being able to shift easily between the two.
• Strategic Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and authority, influencing stakeholders at Director+ levels.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Expertise in defining problem statements, critical outcomes, and actionable plans to address ambiguous challenges.
• Collaboration and Influence: Proven ability to create alignment and drive decision-making across diverse groups and levels (including senior leaders up to VP) within an organization.
• HR and Organizational Knowledge: Familiarity with career architecture principles, career development strategies, and talent management best practices.
• Analytical Skills: Capability to analyze complex data, map processes, and deliver insights that guide decision-making and program improvements.
• Thought Leadership in one of more of the following areas of Talent Management, org design, career planning and development, talent review, and/or performance assessment.
• HR Tech: Understands processes and systems (from design to implementation). Particularly HR / Talent systems.

Why Join Us? You will play a critical role in shaping how our organization approaches career development, creating opportunities for employees to grow and thrive while supporting our strategic goals. This role offers the opportunity to influence talent architecture on a global scale and to drive meaningful change in our People Team and beyond.