About this position
About Merlin Group
Merlin Group operates at the intersection of cyber innovation, national security, and technology-driven transformation. With a mission to accelerate the adoption of high-impact technologies across the U.S. public sector and regulated commercial markets, Merlin is uniquely structured around three core tenets – Invest, Enable, and Scale – each designed to address a specific stage of the technology lifecycle. Together, our affiliates – Merlin Ventures, CGC, and Merlin Cyber – form a flywheel that builds enduring capability for customers, partners, and the broader cyber ecosystem, operationalizing technological advancement into mission-ready, enterprise-grade solutions.
At Merlin, we believe our strength lies in our people. Team members are encouraged to be creative, collaborative, and nimble, pursuing paths to deliver the cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that our customers rely on. From next-generation cyber defense to secure cloud and AI, we are united by one purpose – transforming innovation into mission impact.
The Opportunity
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.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
Talent Strategy & Workforce Planning
- 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
Talent Management & Optimization
- 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
Employee Lifecycle & HR Partnership
- 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
Training, Development & Engagement
- 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
Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership
- 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
Qualifications
REQUIRED
- 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
Success Attributes
- Strategic workforce planning and talent optimization
- Strong HR acumen across performance management, employee relations, and compliance
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder alignment skills
- Ability to lead through influence in a fast-moving, matrixed environment
- Data-informed decision-making with a people-first mindset
- Proven ability to build trust, engagement, and belonging across diverse teams
Benefits & Perks
We want to empower and inspire employees to be and do their best. Our workdays are dynamic, collegial, and fun. Our office features multiple places to work unconstrained by typical office barriers. 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.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.