R&D Strategy & Operations Director

Ladders; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 247,000 - 317,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Innovation culture

Growth opportunities

Top workplace recognition

Flexible time off

Team events

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Director, Strategy and Business Operations to join our Santa Clara team. This role will drive high-impact strategy and operations, partnering with senior leadership, Product, Engineering, and HR to align priorities and move complex initiatives forward.

You will help create operating frameworks, visibility, and discipline to support leadership effectiveness and organizational health, while fostering accountability and continuous improvement across the org.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in program management, engineering operations, or strategy roles within a technology or product-driven organization.
• Proven track record of directing complex, high-impact, cross-organizational programs.
• Strategic and proactive mindset with demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with AI/ML and CI/CD is a plus.
• Experience designing and facilitating leadership strategy sessions and workshops.
• Proven conflict management skills with a focus on building partnerships.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage high-impact R&D programs crossing organizational boundaries.
• Design and facilitate leadership strategy sessions, ensuring effective decision-making and follow-through.
• Align priorities across Product, Engineering, and other business units to achieve outcomes on time.
• Proactively identify issues and risks, crafting solutions independently.
• Collaborate with leadership and HR on programs to enhance leadership capability and team health.
• Establish program frameworks and metrics for real-time program health visibility.
• Promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

AI/ML familiarity

CI/CD familiarity

Workshop facilitation

Partnership building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

CI/CD

Job description

Ladders is seeking a Director, Strategy and Business Operations to join our Santa Clara team. This role will drive high-impact strategy and operations, partnering with senior leadership, Product, Engineering, and HR to align priorities and move complex initiatives forward.

You will help create operating frameworks, visibility, and discipline to support leadership effectiveness and organizational health, while fostering accountability and continuous improvement across the org.