Head of Talent Management Programs and PMO

The role

You will architect, run, and improve Duolingo's talent systems. This includes designing performance and promotion frameworks, talent reviews, succession, and manager enablement. You will also manage the portfolio governance and performance analytics for talent programs.

What you will do

• Lead the evolution of core talent cycles including performance management and promotion frameworks
• Architect standardized competency models and career ladders
• Design and facilitate the talent review process and succession pipeline
• Partner with cross-functional partners to provide managers with tools and insights
• Own the TMR integrated roadmap and maintain visibility into project health
• Establish and iterate on a lean project management methodology
• Act as the primary connector between Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, and Business Leadership
• Develop an enterprise performance framework using key metrics
• Leverage data to conduct root-cause analysis on organizational trends

Required qualifications

• 8+ years in Talent Management, People Operations and portfolio/program management
• Senior-level ownership of company-wide talent programs in fast-paced, product-led or high-growth environments
• Comfort and curiosity with AI tools as applied to talent program design, analytics, and portfolio management
• Proven track record building or leading a PMO
• Depth in modern talent practices: performance systems, org design, competency/career frameworks, succession planning, and manager effectiveness
• Expert operational rigor with program/project management frameworks and process improvement
• Strong data fluency and a product mindset for people analytics

Nice to have

• Deep understanding of modern talent management theories, including performance psychology, organizational design, and succession modeling
• Expert-level proficiency in project management frameworks (PMP, PgMP, or Agile) and process improvement methodologies (Lean Six Sigma)
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to simplify complex operational challenges for executive stakeholders
• A product mindset regarding HR data capable of building dashboards that tell a story and drive accountability

About the company

Duolingo's mission is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. The team focuses on educating users, experimenting with big ideas, and making fact-based decisions.