Director - Talent, Culture & Org Effectiveness (Contract)
We are seeking an experienced HR leader to provide leave cover for the Director of Talent, Culture and Organizational Effectiveness from September 2026 through February 2027. Reporting to the SVP, People, this is a key strategic role and a part of the People Leadership Team, playing a key thought partner and change agent role.
This is a high-impact, fast-moving role for someone who thrives in ambiguity and is ready to step-in, pick-up context quickly, and make things happen. You will inherit an active portfolio and be expected to lead from day one - priorities will shift, and the ideal candidate will be energized by that. This is a hybrid role, working 3 days in our San Jose HQ.
Key Responsibilities
AI Enablement & Transformation
Lead the charge on building AI capability and readiness across the organization:
Curate, design, and/or deliver AI training resources tailored to different employee audiences and skill levels
Drive culture change initiatives that support the organization’s shift toward AI-enabled ways of working
Partner with business leaders to identify capability gaps and develop targeted enablement strategies
Serve as a visible champion and thought leader for AI adoption within the People function and beyond
Evaluate learning effectiveness and iterate based on data and feedback
Talent Development & Retention
Oversee global expansion of the Next Gear Leadership Development Intensive (an established Americas program), monitoring rollout progress and driving post-session feedback collection and analysis.
Own the Performance Review program, including leading the annual review cycle process
Develop talent program frameworks including succession planning, org/talent reviews, and top talent identification
Ensure alignment of talent development initiatives with the organization’s strategic priorities
Design, curate, and deliver learning experiences that build capability at scale
Facilitate leadership and employee development programs
Manage curation of external learning resources and vendor partnerships where relevant
Partner with People Operations and Business Insights teams to implement and maintain a real-time retention dashboard, enabling the organization to track turnover trends as they emerge, identify at-risk segments, and respond with timely, data-informed interventions
New Hire Onboarding & Enablement
Support the design and delivery of company-wide orientation and people leader onboarding programs
Gather and act on onboarding feedback surveys to continuously improve the new hire experience
Partner with the team to ensure onboarding connects employees to NETGEAR’s culture and strategic direction from day one
Employee Engagement
Own the Employee Engagement program, serving as a strategic sounding board and escalation partner for the Talent Programs Manager leading the engagement survey cycle
Provide guidance on translating survey insights into actionable, prioritized initiatives
Connect engagement efforts to broader culture and transformation work
Organizational Effectiveness & Change Management
Lead organizational design and change management efforts to enhance agility and scalability
Partner with senior leadership to assess and optimize team structures, roles, and processes
Foster cross-functional collaboration to align people strategies with business objectives
Establish key metrics and evaluation methods to measure organizational health and effectiveness
Internal Communications
Support internal messaging for key announcements, strategic initiatives, and business updates
Ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with company values across communication channels
Leverage technology and platforms to enhance communication flow for a global workforce
Own the Next Gear Leadership Forum, from agenda and presentation creation and scheduling through delivery and evaluation
Required Qualifications
10+ years in Human Resources, Talent Management, Organizational Development, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
AI-forward builder’s mindset. Hands-on user of AI tools with a bias toward experimentation, rapid prototyping, and finding practical ways to apply AI to real work
Demonstrated experience leading AI enablement, digital transformation, or capability-building initiatives, or a proven ability to quickly master new content areas and translate them into impactful learning experiences
Expertise in talent management, including performance reviews, succession planning, and top talent development
Strong background in learning design and facilitation
Proven change management capabilities, with experience leading culture and transformation efforts
Ability to hit the ground running: comfortable operating in ambiguity, picking up existing programs mid-stream, and flexing priorities as the business evolves
Strong coaching and advisory skills, particularly in developing IC-level team members
Exceptional communication, influence, and relationship-building capabilities across all organizational levels
Preferred Qualifications
Global or regional HR leadership experience in a multinational corporation and/or high-growth technology company
Certification or relevant experience in change management, organizational development, or executive coaching
Experience with HR technology and tools for talent management and learning platforms
Advanced degree in Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, Learning & Development, or a related field
Company Statement/Values:
At NETGEAR, we are on a mission to unleash the full potential of connectivity with intelligent solutions that delight and protect. We turn ideas into innovative networking products that connect people, power businesses, and advance the way we live.
We're a performance-driven, talented and connected team that's committed to delivering world-class products for our customers. As a company, we value our employees as the most essential building blocks of our success. And as teammates, we commit to taking our work to the Next Gear by living our values: we Dare to Transform the future, Connect and Delight our customers, Communicate Courageously with each other and collaborate to Win It Together. You’ll find our values woven through our processes, present in our decisions, and celebrated throughout our culture.
We strive to attract top talent and create a great workplace where people feel engaged, inspired, challenged, proud and respected. If you are creative, forward-thinking, passionate about technology and are looking for a rewarding career to make an impact, then you've got what it takes to succeed at NETGEAR. Join our network and help us shape the future of connectivity.
NETGEAR hires based on merit. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.