Senior Director, Talent Management & Operational Effectiveness

We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

QinetiQ US’s dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend.

Why Join QinetiQ US?

If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems.  In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives.

QinetiQ Us is looking for a Senior Director of Talent Management & Organizational Effectiveness for our Lorton Office.  The selected candidate will be a strategic HR leader responsible for strengthening QinetiQ’s organizational capability, advancing leadership excellence, and building a resilient, mission-ready workforce. This role designs and deploys talent strategies that enhance performance, drive culture, and support QinetiQ’s growth across defense, national security, and government markets.

In partnership with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Chief People Officer, HR Business Partners, and operational leaders, the Senior Director leads QQ US programs in talent planning, succession, leadership development, change management, organizational design, and performance excellence. The role ensures QinetiQ has the right leaders, technical expertise, and organizational structures to deliver on customer commitments and future missions.  Other Duties include:

• Develop and execute a forward-looking talent management strategy aligned with QinetiQ’s growth objectives, customer requirements, and national security commitments.
• Lead talent reviews, succession planning, and risk assessments for mission-critical roles and cleared technical talent.
• Partner with business leaders to identify future skill needs in engineering, cyber, R&D, and program leadership.
• Design and launch leadership development pathways tailored to QinetiQ’s culture, mission, and technical workforce.
• Oversee high-potential programs, manager capability building, executive development, coaching, and competency frameworks.
• Evaluate and manage leadership and learning partners that support federal/defense industry needs.
• Lead the evolution of performance management practices that promote accountability, continuous feedback, and alignment to QinetiQ’s mission, values, and customer outcomes.
• Partner with Employee Engagement & People Experience to analyze engagement trends and strengthen manager and team effectiveness.
• Provide data-driven insights to improve productivity, retention, and organizational health.
• Advise senior leaders on organizational design needs, including restructuring, spans & layers, team clarity, and future-state operating models.
• Drive organizational assessments and recommend improvements to increase agility, technical collaboration, and mission execution.
• Guide leaders through transitions related to M&A integration, technology modernization, and major business growth initiatives.
• Serve as a key leader in shaping QinetiQ’s evolving culture, emphasizing innovation, trust, technical excellence, and performance.
• Lead change management for large-scale initiatives such as ERP/HRIS implementations, organizational realignments, and new business integration.
• Build change capability across the leadership population to ensure adoption and sustainment in a highly regulated environment.
• Develop talent dashboards, analytics, and decision-support tools that help leaders understand workforce capability, bench strength, and organizational risk.
• Use workforce data, performance insights, retention trends, and skill assessments to inform talent strategy and leadership decisions.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of Talent Management, Learning & Development, and Organizational Effectiveness professionals.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and disciplined execution.
• Manage budgets, tools, platforms, and external partnerships effectively.

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 10–15+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, including significant experience in defense, government contracting, national security, or similarly regulated environments.
• Deep expertise in talent management, organizational development, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior executives, program leaders, and technical teams.
• Experience supporting cleared or highly technical populations (engineering, cyber, R&D).
• Strong change management capability, including leading complex organizational transitions.
• Exceptional facilitation, communication, and executive presence.

• Master’s in Organizational Development, Business, I/O Psychology, or related field preferred.
• Certifications (Prosci, Korn Ferry, SHRM-SCP, HRCI SPHR, leadership assessments) are a plus.
• Ability to obtain a security clearance is preferred.

Accessibility/Accommodation:

If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to staffing@us.QinetiQ.com or call (540) 658-2720 Opt. 4 and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.

QinetiQ US is an Equal Opportunity employer. All Qualified Applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.