Talent Operations Lead

The Talent Operations Lead drives operational excellence across our Talent function, including Talent Development, Talent Acquisition, and Inclusion & Belonging, by building centralized, scalable, and data-informed operations. The Lead leverages Smartsheet as the primary platform for intake management, project execution, portfolio reporting, and cross-functional transparency. This role builds and maintains the frameworks, systems, processes, and governance structures that enable the function to scale with the business and deliver a consistent, seamless experience for stakeholders at every level. The Talent Operations Lead establishes project management rigor, process standardization, streamlined intake, and operational clarity to ensure talent initiatives are prioritized, resourced, and executed in support of business goals. Partnering closely across teams, this role moves initiatives from strategy through implementation and delivers measurable results.

• Own the design, configuration, and ongoing optimization of Smartsheet solutions, including intake forms, automated workflows, project plans, dashboards, and reporting used across our Talent function.
• Manage the centralized intake and prioritization process for talent initiatives, delivering a high-impact, consistent, and consultative experience for business leaders.
• Develop and maintain real-time dashboards and measurement frameworks to assess ROI, track program effectiveness, identify gaps, and recommend continuous improvements aligned with organizational goals.
• Lead and develop Talent Operations team members through coaching, accountability, collaboration, and capability-building.
• Collaborate with leadership to translate strategic objectives into actionable project plans with clear deliverables, timelines, resourcing, and accountability from intake through delivery.
• Architect and lead scalable project management frameworks, governance, and repeatable workflows to enhance efficiency, ensure consistency, and support compliance needs across the Talent function.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and key liaison between internal business units, talent teams, and vendors, ensuring cohesive communication and timely updates.
• Optimize contingent workforce and mobility processes to improve compliance, onboarding efficiency, and stakeholder experience.
• Contribute to additional high-impact projects and initiatives in a dynamic and evolving environment.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Human Resources, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field. 
• 7 or more years of experience in Talent Operations, project management, or related roles, with a focus on driving cross-functional initiatives and systems.
• 1 or more years of supervisory/management experience preferred.
• Proven ability to build and manage scalable workflows, project plans, and reporting structures across multiple talent domains.
• Smartsheet proficiency including hands-on experience designing complex project plans, intake workflows, automations, and executive-level dashboards used for prioritization, capacity planning and ROI tracking.  
• Advanced skills in Excel and other project management and reporting tools are highly desirable. Experience with LMS and/or ATS systems is a plus.
• Strong experience collaborating with Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, and/or Inclusion teams to operationalize strategy and improve delivery.
• Skilled in project management, intake process design, and the development of repeatable frameworks that drive accountability and results.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical abilities.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.

Base Pay Information
The national base pay range at the end is a good-faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental’s assessment of the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity. 
Pay Grade 21. $81,305 - $176,043