Director of Strategic Talent Programs

Merlin International Inc • Mclean, VA

4d

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Talent Programs is a senior People & Culture leader responsible for designing, executing, and continuously evolving Merlin Group’s talent strategy. This role bridges business growth and people strategy—ensuring the right talent is in the right roles at the right time, while fostering a high-performing, inclusive, and engaged workforce.

Reporting into People & Culture leadership and working in close partnership with Executive Leadership, Growth, Delivery, and Recruiting, the Talent Director owns workforce planning, talent optimization, performance processes, employee development, and strategic HR partnership. This role is both hands-on and highly strategic, requiring strong judgment, operational rigor, and exceptional relationship-building skills.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive experience in Talent Management, Human Resources, or People Strategy
• Demonstrated success partnering with senior leaders in growth-oriented, professional services, or consulting environments
• Experience with workforce planning, staffing models, performance cycles, and talent mobility programs
• Familiarity with HRIS, workforce analytics, and reporting tools
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or certifications a plus

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Merlin Group’s annual talent strategy aligned to business objectives, growth plans, and delivery needs
• Partner with Executive Leadership, Growth, and Delivery teams to anticipate workforce demand, support early mobilization, and enable scalable growth
• Lead weekly and bi-weekly talent syncs, including supply/demand analysis, bench metrics, utilization trends, and key personnel planning
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on talent risks, succession planning, and organizational design
• Own delivery optimization efforts through ongoing demand planning, staffing alignment, and talent mobility
• Act as Ambassador Lead for the Talent Mobility Program, ensuring transparency, opportunity access, and effective internal movement
• Maintain and evolve the corporate proficiency model, including standard roles, role descriptions, certifications, and learning paths
• Provide key personnel matching and recommendations for client engagements and growth initiatives
• Oversee end-to-end employee lifecycle processes in partnership with HR, including onboarding, changes, offboarding, and employee transitions
• Support performance management cycles, ensuring fairness, consistency, and alignment with compensation frameworks and business outcomes
• Partner with Employee Relations on complex situations, offering thoughtful, confidential guidance, and resolution support
• Ensure HR practices are compliant, consistent, and people-centered
• Design and deliver training strategies that build current and future capability across the organization
• Lead Lunch & Learn programs, orientation sessions, Ask Me Anything forums, and leadership development initiatives
• Oversee training plans, conference participation, certification programs, and associated budgets
• Partner with Community and P&C teams to foster engagement, belonging, and a strong Merlin Group culture
• Act as the connective tissue between People & Culture, Recruiting, Growth, Delivery, and Operations
• Collaborate closely with Recruitment Lead to ensure high-quality, timely hiring aligned with skill and role needs
• Translate employee insights, workforce data, and engagement feedback into actionable improvements
• Support organizational change initiatives, new tools, and evolving people practices

Benefits

• Our wellness package provides access to an on-site gym and includes medical, dental, and vision insurance along with options for FSA and EAP.
• We offer 401(k) with employer match, unlimited PTO, and a culture respectful of the reality that not everything in one’s personal life is guaranteed to happen only after hours.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director