Senior Manager - Talent Development
Overview of the role
Shape the future of how GitLab's global team grows and thrives. You'll architect and execute a comprehensive talent development ecosystem that accelerates every team member's career trajectory while driving measurable business impact. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role where you'll lead strategic initiatives from vision to execution, working directly with senior leaders across divisions.
What You'll Do
Strategic Vision & Execution
Craft the near and long-term roadmap aligned to company OKRs and workforce insights, translating bold vision into executable annual plans and quarterly deliverables
Lead quarterly business reviews and strategic alignment across People Business Partners, Field Enablement, Engineering, People Tech, DIB, and Analytics teams
Anticipate future talent needs before they become urgent, positioning GitLab ahead of industry trends and skill gaps
Learning Experience Innovation
Establish design excellence standards using Universal Design for Learning (UDL), inclusive design principles, and AI-integration —leveraging generative AI to rapidly prototype learning content and create adaptive experiences
Ship high-impact learning experiences through ADDIE/SAM methodologies enhanced with AI-assisted content creation—from AI-generated micro-learning modules to intelligently curated cohort journeys and dynamically personalized program
Performance Revolution: Growth & Impact
Re-imagine continuous performance as an evolved and innovative assessment approach that replaces traditional annual reviews and integrates personalized growth and development into enhancing performance
Launch and scale a new process and elevated culture around team and team member growth and impact
Create insight-driven dashboards that turn performance data into actionable team and individual development plans
AI Skills Revolution
Embed AI proficiency into day-to-day productivity (across job profiles), GitLab Success Profiles, and career development frameworks
Curate and deploy adaptive AI curricula that meets teams where they are
Achieve ambitious targets: org-wide AI proficiency, division-specific proficiency standards
Technical Horsepower and Design Thinking
Set functional and data strategy for GitLab's talent enablement technology (LMS/LXP and Talent Experience Platform-TXP) as it relates to our broader talent tools ecosystem with planned integration alongside Workday and other People Group technology
Drive adoption and engagement by strategically deploying quality content and interactive experiences
Configure advanced features: skills taxonomy, skills tagging, learning analytics, and telemetry
Cross-Functional Partnership Excellence
Partner with DIB, Compensation, and People Analytics to bolster inclusive learning experiences that directly link skill development to career progression and compensation
Collaborate with Field Enablement, Digital Success, and Product teams to align talent development initiatives with customer needs and product roadmap priorities
Influence executive stakeholders across divisions to champion learning culture transformation and secure investment in development programs
Succession Planning & Leadership Pipeline
Architect development-focused succession planning that identifies high-potential talent and creates targeted acceleration pathways for key talent
Establish succession readiness dashboards - in partnership with Talent Management - giving leadership real-time visibility into talent pipeline health and development ROI
Data-Driven Innovation
Build comprehensive analytics stack with experimentation frameworks
Run continuous A/B tests and feed insights back into strategic roadmap decisions
Create executive dashboards that translate learning metrics into business impact
What You'll Bring
Learning Technology Expertise
10+ years in talent development, performance management, learning experience design, or relevant experience
Deep fluency with LXP/LMS ecosystems (Cornerstone, EdCast, Workday or similar platforms)
Hands-on experience with AI-enabled learning technologies and adaptive learning systems
Instructional Design Excellence
Mastery of ADDIE, SAM methodologies and adult learning science principles
Proven track record designing and shipping learning experiences for global, distributed teams
Portfolio of complex program rollouts with measurable business impact
Leadership & Influence (Essential for Future Growth)
People leadership experience managing teams, even though this role starts as individual contributor
Exceptional stakeholder influence across Product, Engineering, Field Enablement, People Analytics, and GitLab Executive leadership teams
Strategic facilitation skills to drive alignment and decision-making in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
Vision-to-Execution Operator
Strategic thinking with proven ability to set multi-quarter and multi-year vision and translate into tactical execution
Program management excellence delivering complex initiatives on time
Managing ambiguity mastery - you thrive even when you don't have every piece of context, understanding that perfect information isn't required to make meaningful progress
Exceptional decision quality - consistently making sound decisions with incomplete data, balancing speed with thoughtfulness
Innovation & AI-Forward Mindset
AI openness and proficiency with willingness to experiment and lead by example
Creative problem-solving with appetite for calculated risks and innovation
Growth mindset that embraces continuous learning and iteration
Advanced Analytics & Data Fluency
Advanced analytics skills that turn learning data into executive-level recommendations
Experience with experimentation and A/B testing in learning environments
Comfort with learning analytics platforms and building measurement frameworks
Strategic Communication & Executive Storytelling
Experienced storyteller who translates learning metrics and development outcomes into board-ready narratives that secure investment and champion support
Leadership presence with ability to facilitate senior leader discussions, lead strategic planning sessions, and influence executive leadership through data-driven storytelling
Expert at crafting multi-modal communications—from concise executive briefings to immersive quarterly business reviews—that inspire action and demonstrate clear ROI on talent investments
About the Team
The Talent Management & Development team is the driving force behind GitLab's ability to build and maintain continuously learning, high-performing teams. We create and facilitate programs that accelerate growth and unlock potential across the organization. Working closely with People Business Partners and business leaders, we drive organizational capability through innovative learning strategies and development programs.
Our team combines strategic learning design with operational excellence to deliver programs that make a real difference in people's career trajectories and GitLab's success. We're passionate about creating an environment where talent continuously develops and everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
This role reports to the Director of Talent Management & Development and manages a lean team while influencing learning culture transformation across the organization.
How GitLab will support you
All remote, asynchronous work environment
Home office support
Remote-Global
The base salary range for this role’s listed level is currently for residents of listed locations only. Grade level and salary ranges are determined through interviews and a review of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant, equity with other team members, and alignment with market data. See more information on our benefits and equity. Sales roles are also eligible for incentive pay targeted at up to 100% of the offered base salary.
California/Colorado/Hawaii/New Jersey/New York/Washington/DC/Illinois/Minnesota pay range
$112,000—$240,000 USD
About the job
Apply for this position
Senior Manager - Talent Development
Overview of the role
Shape the future of how GitLab's global team grows and thrives. You'll architect and execute a comprehensive talent development ecosystem that accelerates every team member's career trajectory while driving measurable business impact. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role where you'll lead strategic initiatives from vision to execution, working directly with senior leaders across divisions.
What You'll Do
Strategic Vision & Execution
Craft the near and long-term roadmap aligned to company OKRs and workforce insights, translating bold vision into executable annual plans and quarterly deliverables
Lead quarterly business reviews and strategic alignment across People Business Partners, Field Enablement, Engineering, People Tech, DIB, and Analytics teams
Anticipate future talent needs before they become urgent, positioning GitLab ahead of industry trends and skill gaps
Learning Experience Innovation
Establish design excellence standards using Universal Design for Learning (UDL), inclusive design principles, and AI-integration —leveraging generative AI to rapidly prototype learning content and create adaptive experiences
Ship high-impact learning experiences through ADDIE/SAM methodologies enhanced with AI-assisted content creation—from AI-generated micro-learning modules to intelligently curated cohort journeys and dynamically personalized program
Performance Revolution: Growth & Impact
Re-imagine continuous performance as an evolved and innovative assessment approach that replaces traditional annual reviews and integrates personalized growth and development into enhancing performance
Launch and scale a new process and elevated culture around team and team member growth and impact
Create insight-driven dashboards that turn performance data into actionable team and individual development plans
AI Skills Revolution
Embed AI proficiency into day-to-day productivity (across job profiles), GitLab Success Profiles, and career development frameworks
Curate and deploy adaptive AI curricula that meets teams where they are
Achieve ambitious targets: org-wide AI proficiency, division-specific proficiency standards
Technical Horsepower and Design Thinking
Set functional and data strategy for GitLab's talent enablement technology (LMS/LXP and Talent Experience Platform-TXP) as it relates to our broader talent tools ecosystem with planned integration alongside Workday and other People Group technology
Drive adoption and engagement by strategically deploying quality content and interactive experiences
Configure advanced features: skills taxonomy, skills tagging, learning analytics, and telemetry
Cross-Functional Partnership Excellence
Partner with DIB, Compensation, and People Analytics to bolster inclusive learning experiences that directly link skill development to career progression and compensation
Collaborate with Field Enablement, Digital Success, and Product teams to align talent development initiatives with customer needs and product roadmap priorities
Influence executive stakeholders across divisions to champion learning culture transformation and secure investment in development programs
Succession Planning & Leadership Pipeline
Architect development-focused succession planning that identifies high-potential talent and creates targeted acceleration pathways for key talent
Establish succession readiness dashboards - in partnership with Talent Management - giving leadership real-time visibility into talent pipeline health and development ROI
Data-Driven Innovation
Build comprehensive analytics stack with experimentation frameworks
Run continuous A/B tests and feed insights back into strategic roadmap decisions
Create executive dashboards that translate learning metrics into business impact
What You'll Bring
Learning Technology Expertise
10+ years in talent development, performance management, learning experience design, or relevant experience
Deep fluency with LXP/LMS ecosystems (Cornerstone, EdCast, Workday or similar platforms)
Hands-on experience with AI-enabled learning technologies and adaptive learning systems
Instructional Design Excellence
Mastery of ADDIE, SAM methodologies and adult learning science principles
Proven track record designing and shipping learning experiences for global, distributed teams
Portfolio of complex program rollouts with measurable business impact
Leadership & Influence (Essential for Future Growth)
People leadership experience managing teams, even though this role starts as individual contributor
Exceptional stakeholder influence across Product, Engineering, Field Enablement, People Analytics, and GitLab Executive leadership teams
Strategic facilitation skills to drive alignment and decision-making in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
Vision-to-Execution Operator
Strategic thinking with proven ability to set multi-quarter and multi-year vision and translate into tactical execution
Program management excellence delivering complex initiatives on time
Managing ambiguity mastery - you thrive even when you don't have every piece of context, understanding that perfect information isn't required to make meaningful progress
Exceptional decision quality - consistently making sound decisions with incomplete data, balancing speed with thoughtfulness
Innovation & AI-Forward Mindset
AI openness and proficiency with willingness to experiment and lead by example
Creative problem-solving with appetite for calculated risks and innovation
Growth mindset that embraces continuous learning and iteration
Advanced Analytics & Data Fluency
Advanced analytics skills that turn learning data into executive-level recommendations
Experience with experimentation and A/B testing in learning environments
Comfort with learning analytics platforms and building measurement frameworks
Strategic Communication & Executive Storytelling
Experienced storyteller who translates learning metrics and development outcomes into board-ready narratives that secure investment and champion support
Leadership presence with ability to facilitate senior leader discussions, lead strategic planning sessions, and influence executive leadership through data-driven storytelling
Expert at crafting multi-modal communications—from concise executive briefings to immersive quarterly business reviews—that inspire action and demonstrate clear ROI on talent investments
About the Team
The Talent Management & Development team is the driving force behind GitLab's ability to build and maintain continuously learning, high-performing teams. We create and facilitate programs that accelerate growth and unlock potential across the organization. Working closely with People Business Partners and business leaders, we drive organizational capability through innovative learning strategies and development programs.
Our team combines strategic learning design with operational excellence to deliver programs that make a real difference in people's career trajectories and GitLab's success. We're passionate about creating an environment where talent continuously develops and everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
This role reports to the Director of Talent Management & Development and manages a lean team while influencing learning culture transformation across the organization.
How GitLab will support you
All remote, asynchronous work environment
Home office support
Remote-Global
The base salary range for this role’s listed level is currently for residents of listed locations only. Grade level and salary ranges are determined through interviews and a review of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant, equity with other team members, and alignment with market data. See more information on our benefits and equity. Sales roles are also eligible for incentive pay targeted at up to 100% of the offered base salary.
California/Colorado/Hawaii/New Jersey/New York/Washington/DC/Illinois/Minnesota pay range
$112,000—$240,000 USD