Lead Talent Management Partner

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies•Palo Alto, CA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

As Talent Management Lead, you will shape how we set goals, assess performance, and plan for succession, then make those programs work in our systems and in the hands of HR Business Partners (HRBPs) and managers. This is a role that blends strategy and hands-on execution. You will help set direction across the talent lifecycle, own the build and delivery of key programs, and act as the go-to expert who educates and enables the HR community and business leaders. Your work will directly influence how we drive performance, develop talent, and scale the business. This role will be onsite in our Palo Alto, California Office 3 days a week.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in HR, Talent Management, People Analytics, or a related field.
Proven experience managing company-wide performance management cycles.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to turn data into compelling narratives and actionable recommendations.
A process-engineer mindset, with a strong focus on documentation and continuous improvement.
Excellent change management, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
A proactive, analytical approach to diagnosing problems and implementing practical solutions.

Nice To Haves

Experience building new programs and re-engineering existing ones.
Working knowledge of OKR methodology and how to apply it.
Experience facilitating performance calibration discussions.
Experience with Workday Talent modules or a comparable HRIS.
Experience with succession planning or talent review processes.
Curiosity and a genuine passion for creating an exceptional employee experience.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, communication, and execution of quarterly performance and feedback cycles.
Design and facilitate semi-annual calibration sessions across business units, ensuring consistency, fairness, and transparency in talent assessments.
Research and recommend modern performance management practices that support high performance and continuous growth.
Partner with HRBPs and business leaders to support talent review and succession planning, including process design, facilitation, and follow-through.
Help leaders identify critical roles, high-potential talent, and development needs, and connect those insights to action.
Design and launch our goal-setting framework. This is a new program, so you will help build it from the ground up.
Coach teams and managers on setting effective goals and tracking progress.
Configure, optimize, and maintain talent processes in our people systems, working closely with the systems team and HRBPs.
Document, maintain, and continuously improve processes for performance, feedback, talent review, and internal mobility.
Train and advise HRBPs and business leaders on talent programs, tools, and best practices.
Build clear guides, playbooks, and communications that make programs easy to adopt and consistent across the company.