Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations

Twilio Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 171,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

401(k) retirement account

Paid sick time

Paid personal time off

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Twilio is seeking a Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations to drive strategic initiatives across R&D and lead executive communications for Product and Engineering. Reporting to the Director, this role turns complex technical work into clear narratives for leadership and steers planning cycles across the organization.

The successful candidate will partner with Finance and Data teams, shape lean R&D processes, and manage reporting with minimal manual effort, while aligning with company goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience across product, engineering and process/program management.
• Experience in a leadership capacity, whether leading teams directly or through influence.
• Experience leading programs or product operations for B2B SaaS, PaaS or equivalent.
• Track record of delivering high-impact, cross-functional programs end to end.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication that drives executional impact at scale.
• Ability to build trust across organizational boundaries for a broader goal.
• Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Experience leading change management in B2B SaaS.

Responsibilities

• Own the narrative for R&D across monthly and quarterly reviews, board updates, cross-functional updates, and executive communications.
• Lead strategic projects top of mind for the CPTO and executive team.
• Partner on annual and quarterly planning cycles and retrospectives, contributing to process and content.
• Track team progress against plan through Release Council and surface risks early.
• Support R&D/GTM interlock, shaping what R&D communicates to GTM teams.
• Define and drive adoption of lean R&D processes to minimize manual overhead.
• Partner with Finance and Data teams to automate product and business metrics.
• Seek opportunities to increase process adoption across a decentralized R&D org.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Change management

Problem solving

Negotiation

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Master’s in Computer Science or Engineering or MBA

Job description

At Twilio, we’re shaping the future of communications, all from the comfort of our homes. We deliver innovative solutions to hundreds of thousands of businesses and empower millions of developers worldwide to craft personalized customer experiences.

Our dedication to remote-first work , and strong culture of connection and global inclusion means that no matter your location, you’re part of a vibrant team with diverse experiences making a global impact each day. As we continue to revolutionize how the world interacts, we’re acquiring new skills and experiences that make work feel truly rewarding. Your career at Twilio is in your hands.
.

Hiring and how we work

We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help make our hiring process efficient. That said, every hiring decision is made by real Twilions!

Also, while we are a remote-first company, you may be asked to report in person on an ad-hoc basis for team gatherings, functional off-sites or customer meetings.
.

See yourself at Twilio

Join the team as Twilio’s next Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations

About the job

Twilio is the world’s leading customer engagement platform empowering developers to build modern communication applications and experiences designed to be trusted, simple and smart. Twilio is looking for a Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations to drive strategic initiatives across R&D and lead executive communications for Product and Engineering.

Reporting to the Director of R&D Strategy & Operations, this role owns how R&D's story gets told to senior leadership — monthly and quarterly business reviews, board updates, and executive narratives — turning complex technical work into clear, concise writing that leaders can act on. You'll partner closely on our annual and quarterly planning cycles, lead strategic initiatives end to end, and serve as the connective tissue between Product and Engineering and the rest of the company, while designing lean processes that deliver our outcomes with less manual overhead.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a leader who brings technical, process, and product expertise to help:

• Own the narrative for R&D across monthly and quarterly business reviews, board updates, cross-functional updates, and executive communications, turning complex technical work into clear, concise writing that leaders can act on.
• Lead strategic projects that are top of mind for the CPTO and executive team.
• Partner on annual and quarterly planning cycles and mid-year retrospectives, contributing to the process, content, and materials that carry them.
• Track team progress against plan through Release Council, and surface risks early.
• Support the R&D/GTM interlock, shaping what R&D communicates to GTM teams to inform their planning cycles.
• Define and drive adoption of lean R&D processes so outcomes are met with minimal manual overhead.
• Partner with Finance and Data teams to automate product and business metrics so reporting eventually runs without manual intervention.
• Seek out change management opportunities that increase process adoption across a decentralized R&D org.

Qualifications

Twilio values diverse experiences from all kinds of industries, and we encourage everyone who meets the required qualifications to apply. If your career is just starting or hasn't followed a traditional path, don't let that stop you from considering Twilio. We are always looking for people who will bring something new to the table!

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience across product, engineering and process/ program management
• Experience in a leadership capacity, whether leading teams directly or leading through influence
• Experience leading programs or product operations for B2B SaaS, PaaS or equivalent
• Track record of delivering high-impact, highly cross-functional programs end to end
• Outstanding written and verbal communication that drives executional impact at scale, distilling complex detail into an executive narrative
• Ability to build trust and exchange ideas across organizational boundaries in service of a broader goal
• Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and organizational skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving, ambiguous environment, with a default to action in order to adapt quickly to changing priorities and requirements
• Master’s in computer science or engineering or business administration
• Experience leading change management in B2B SaaS

Location

This role will be remote.

Travel

We prioritize connection and opportunities to build relationships with our customers and each other. For this role, approximately 5-10% travel is anticipated to help you connect in-person in a meaningful way.

What We Offer

Working at Twilio offers many benefits, including competitive pay, generous time off, ample parental and wellness leave, healthcare, a retirement savings program, and much more. Offerings vary by location.

The estimated pay ranges for this role are as follows:

• Based in Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont or Washington D.C. : $171,120.00 - $213,900.00
• Based in New York, New Jersey, Washington State, or California (outside of the San Francisco Bay area): $181,200.00 - $226,500.00
• Based in the San Francisco Bay area, California: $201.280.00 - $251,600.00

This role may be eligible to participate in Twilio’s equity plan and corporate bonus plan. All roles are generally eligible for the following benefits: health care insurance, 401(k) retirement account, paid sick time, paid personal time off, paid parental leave.

The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.

Applications for this role are intended to be accepted until October 9, 2026, but may change based on business needs.

Twilio thinks big. Do you?

We like to solve problems, take initiative, pitch in when needed, and are always up for trying new things. That's why we seek out colleagues who embody our values — something we call Twilio Magic . Additionally, we empower employees to build positive change in their communities by supporting their volunteering and donation efforts.

Twilio is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Updated - Twilio is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer

We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Additionally, Twilio participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law.