Vice President, Product Operations

See yourself at Twilio.

Join the team as our next Vice President R&D Operations, Communications at Twilio.

Who we are & why we’re hiring

Twilio powers real-time business communications and data solutions that help companies and developers worldwide build better applications and customer experiences.

Although we're headquartered in San Francisco, we have presence throughout South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. We're on a journey to becoming a global company that actively opposes racism and all forms of oppression and bias. At Twilio, we support diversity, equity & inclusion wherever we do business.

About the job

As the Vice President of R&D Operations, you will play a critical role in driving the efficiency and effectiveness of our product development and engineering processes. Reporting directly to the Chief Product Officer - Communications, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of product and engineering operations, including project management, process improvement, resource allocation, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product management, combined with proven experience in operations and leadership.

The role is highly cross-functional and requires a leader that enjoys navigating ambiguity, working in a fast-paced environment, aligning exec partners, collaborating with teams across time-zones and thinking globally.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will: 

• Develop and implement strategies to streamline and optimize product development end engineering processes, from ideation to launch.
• Lead a team of technical program manager and product operations professionals, providing guidance, support, and mentorship to ensure successful project execution.
• Establish and monitor OKRs and KPIs to track the efficiency and effectiveness of R&D operations. Deliver data driven dashboards and reporting that can be used by the product management function to improve product decisions.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, design, sales, customer support marketing, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and coordination.
• Work with the Business Unit Leadership and R&D Leadership Team to establish strategy and execution plans, including program management of strategic/long-range planning (LRP) efforts and annual planning. 
• Standardize processes to gather, aggregate, and synthesize various sources of internal and external input to generate insights that can be leveraged during quarterly planning and Value Articulation. Improve how we act on feedback from the market to inform product planning.
• Lead and drive regular R&D management cadences to include release cycle, big bets, board deck readiness and weekly and monthly updates. Assure product teams meet operational readiness / launch criteria and communicate to the organization accordingly.
• Create, implement, and oversee sound operational business and program management processes, system improvements, and new practices with a relentless focus on continuous improvement and increasing customer value. Encourage learning, innovation, and adaptation to emerging industry trends.
• Identify and mitigate risks and dependencies that may impact product development timelines and deliverables.
• Setup and manage R&D training, learning & development opportunities and onboarding programs to support Product Management and Engineering teams.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation within the product operations team and across the organization.

Qualifications

Not all applicants will have skills that match a job description exactly. Twilio values diverse experiences in other industries, and we encourage everyone who meets the required qualifications to apply. While having “desired” qualifications make for a strong candidate, we encourage applicants with alternative experiences to also apply. If your career is just starting or hasn't followed a traditional path, don't let that stop you from considering Twilio. We are always looking for people who will bring something new to the table!

Required:

• 15+ years of product management/ technical program management/product operations or related experience
• 10+ years in a leadership role within product operations or technical program management preferably at a technology or software company.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence technical and business decisions and drive alignment across teams.
• Strong understanding of product development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, etc.) and project management principles. 
• Strong leadership skills, with a track record of mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and deliver results under tight timelines.

Desired:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Understanding of Cpaas market

Location

This role will be remote based in North America.

Travel 

We prioritize connection and opportunities to build relationships with our customers and each other. For this role, approximately 15% travel is anticipated to help you connect in-person in a meaningful way. 

What we offer

There are many benefits to working at Twilio, including, in addition to competitive pay, things like generous time-off, ample parental and wellness leave, healthcare, a retirement savings program, and much more. Offerings vary by location.

*Please note this role is open to candidates outside of Colorado, California, New York, and Washington. The information below is provided for candidates hired in those locations only.

The estimated pay ranges for this role are as follows:

• Based in Colorado, New York, Washington State, or California: $300,000 - $360,000
• This role may be eligible to participate in Twilio’s equity plan and corporate bonus plan. All roles are eligible for the following benefits: health care insurance, 401(k) retirement account, paid sick time, paid personal time off, paid parental leave.

The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location within the state. 

Twilio is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Twilio is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Additionally, Twilio participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law.

Twilio is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected].

Twilio thinks big. Do you?

We like to solve problems, take initiative, pitch in when needed, and are always up for trying new things. That's why we seek out colleagues who embody our values — something we call Twilio Magic. Additionally, we empower employees to build positive change in their communities by supporting their volunteering and donation efforts.

So, if you're ready to unleash your full potential, do your best work, and be the best version of yourself, apply now!

If this role isn't what you're looking for, please consider other open positions.