Job Description

Sr. Director, Learning & Performance

The Sr. Director, Learning & Performance (L&P) is a strategic leader responsible for defining and executing a comprehensive learning, leadership development, and performance management strategy that aligns with the company's business objectives and culture. As the senior-most learning leader, this role will partner with the executive team and functional leaders across the business to shape a high-impact learning and development ecosystem that enhances individual, team, and organizational performance. The Senior Director will lead a team of learning professionals, oversee enterprise-wide learning technologies, and serve as the key architect for talent development initiatives, including leadership development, onboarding, compliance training, talent reviews, and performance enablement programs.

Position Responsibilities

• Enterprise Learning Strategy: Develop and execute a future-forward learning strategy that supports organizational capability building, leadership pipeline development, and employee growth across all levels of the organization.
• Performance Management & Talent Enablement: Lead the evolution of the company's performance management approach, integrating continuous feedback, goal setting, and career development frameworks. Partner with HR and business leaders to align performance strategies with business goals.
• Executive & Leadership Development: Design and deliver programs that grow the leadership bench, including emerging leader tracks, executive coaching engagements, and succession planning initiatives.
• Learning Operations & Infrastructure: Oversee the optimization and governance of learning platforms and systems, including the Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring scalability, accessibility, and compliance.
• Organizational Development & Change Readiness: Serve as a thought partner in organizational transformation efforts, supporting change management, cultural alignment, and enterprise communication strategies.
• Data-Driven Impact Measurement: Define key learning and performance metrics to measure program effectiveness, employee engagement, and talent mobility. Leverage insights to continuously improve learning solutions.
• Vendor & Budget Management: Manage strategic relationships with external learning partners (e.g., Franklin Covey, OpenSesame) and oversee a multi-functional L&D budget aligned with organizational priorities.
• Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing L&P team. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• 15+ years of progressive experience in Learning & Development, Talent Management, or Organizational Effectiveness, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in a leadership role.
• Proven success developing enterprise-wide L&D strategies in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Organizational Development, Human Resources, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Expertise in instructional design, adult learning theory, and performance consulting.
• Proficient in enterprise LMS platforms, eLearning tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline), and virtual facilitation platforms.
• Demonstrated experience with performance management frameworks, change management, and leadership coaching.
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Exceptional communication, project management, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Certification in Instructional Design, Coaching, or Change Management (e.g., Prosci, ATD).
• Experience managing learning in hybrid or global organizations.
• Strong analytics mindset with experience using data to drive business decisions.

Physical Demands

• Hybrid office environment. Requires ability to sit, type, and engage in screen-based work for extended periods.
• Occasional travel may be required for in-person leadership programs or team meetings.

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance:

• Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating.
• May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling.

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
• Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.

The salary range for this role is: $165,580 - $234,465. AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment's business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we've been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world's most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution's permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company's hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

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