Rivian
Director, People Operational Excellence & AI
Rivian, Irvine, California, United States, 92713
About Rivian
Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.
As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.
Role Summary We are seeking a
Director, People Operational Excellence & AI
to evolve and scale how work gets done across the People organization. This role sits at the intersection of
HR operations, process design, digital enablement, and AI , with a clear mandate: simplify, standardize, and modernize People processes so our teams can move faster, with more clarity and impact. You will lead a small, high-impact team focused on mapping work, redesigning end-to-end People journeys, and embedding AI-enabled capabilities into the way we deliver services to candidates, employees, managers, and leaders. As a critical connector between People and IT, you will translate People needs into platform requirements and help shape how Workday, ServiceNow, iCIMS and emerging AI solutions work together to support a scalable, data-driven People ecosystem. Why This Role Matters
Design the People Operating System:
You will define how core People work is structured, standardized, and executed—from COEs to Shared Services to People Partners—so that Rivian can scale without losing clarity or quality.
Unlock Capacity with AI & Automation:
By thoughtfully applying AI, workflow automation, and better knowledge management, you will help teams move from manual, reactive work to proactive, strategic impact.
Connect People, Process, and Platforms:
You will act as a bridge between People, IT, and Systems, ensuring that our technology stack (Workday, ServiceNow, iCIMS, and new AI tools) actually reflects how work happens on the ground.
Drive Change at a Pivotal Moment:
As Rivian grows and our footprint expands, this role will be central to how we standardize global practices, enable Shared Services, and build the People infrastructure that supports long-term scale.
Responsibilities Team Leadership & Management
Lead and develop a small team responsible for
work mapping, process redesign, and new ways of working
across the People organization.
Set clear
goals, operating rhythms, and standards
for the team, including diagnostics, pilots, and scaled rollouts.
Coach and performance-manage team members, creating opportunities for
growth, stretch assignments, and cross-functional exposure .
People Transformation & Operating Effectiveness
Lead initiatives that
re-balance and realign work
across the People organization, identifying what should be standardized, centralized, or redesigned to improve scale, clarity, and experience.
Partner with COEs, People Partners, and Shared Services to determine
where work should live over time
and guide transitions, ensuring continuity, quality, and readiness.
Support the evolution of the
People operating model , focusing on how work actually gets done—not just how the org chart is drawn.
Continuous Improvement, Standardization & Process Design
Own
end-to-end process redesign
for priority People journeys (e.g., onboarding, job changes, performance, rewards) especially where work crosses teams, systems, or regions.
Establish common
standards for process design, documentation, and handoffs
to reduce variability and enable smoother execution.
Ensure processes are
clearly documented and accessible , supporting training, adoption, and ongoing improvement.
Identify
friction points, inefficiencies, and avoidable demand , and lead simplification efforts with measurable impact on experience and throughput.
AI, Automation & Digital Enablement
Identify high-value opportunities to apply
AI, workflow automation, and knowledge management
to People processes to improve experience, quality, and capacity.
Translate transformation goals into
clear requirements and priorities
for People platforms (Workday, ServiceNow, iCIMS) and AI initiatives.
Partner closely with IT, People Systems, and Data teams to ensure solutions are
designed around real People workflows , with strong measurement and feedback loops.
Change, Adoption & Leadership
Lead
change management, communication, and adoption
strategies for work transitions, process redesign, and new digital capabilities.
Build strong partnerships with COEs, People Partners, Shared Services, and IT to
align priorities, sequencing, and messaging .
Coach and influence leaders and teams through periods of transition, helping them
navigate trade-offs, clarify roles, and embed new ways of working .
Qualifications Required Qualifications
10+ years
of experience in
People Operations, HR transformation, operational excellence, or related fields
within complex, scaling organizations.
Demonstrated experience leading
process redesign, work transitions, shared-services enablement, or HR operating model changes .
Strong working knowledge of
People technology ecosystems , including Workday and ServiceNow, and familiarity with
ATS platforms (e.g., iCIMS)
and how workflows, data, and integrations support People processes.
Familiarity with
AI and automation concepts
(e.g., workflow automation, knowledge management, agent assist, analytics) and their application within service delivery or operational environments.
Proven
systems thinker
who can connect strategy, operations, experience, and technology into coherent, actionable roadmaps.
Experience partnering closely with
IT and digital teams
to define requirements, evaluate solution options, and prioritize work across platforms.
Excellent
communication, facilitation, and storytelling
skills, with the ability to synthesize complex operational and technical inputs and guide cross-functional decision-making.
Proven ability to
set direction, delegate effectively, and manage capacity
across a team during periods of high change.
Track record of building
inclusive, high-trust team cultures
that balance performance, growth, and well-being.
Bachelor's degree required ; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in
high-growth technology, EV, manufacturing, or similarly complex environments .
Background in
Lean, Six Sigma, design thinking, or service design
applied to People/HR processes.
Prior responsibility for
global HR operations, shared services, or HR service delivery models .
Pay Disclosure Salary Range for Palo Alto, CA-based applicants:
$161,900 - $231,300 annually (Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
Equal Opportunity Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes ("Candidate Personal Data"). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.
Role Summary We are seeking a
Director, People Operational Excellence & AI
to evolve and scale how work gets done across the People organization. This role sits at the intersection of
HR operations, process design, digital enablement, and AI , with a clear mandate: simplify, standardize, and modernize People processes so our teams can move faster, with more clarity and impact. You will lead a small, high-impact team focused on mapping work, redesigning end-to-end People journeys, and embedding AI-enabled capabilities into the way we deliver services to candidates, employees, managers, and leaders. As a critical connector between People and IT, you will translate People needs into platform requirements and help shape how Workday, ServiceNow, iCIMS and emerging AI solutions work together to support a scalable, data-driven People ecosystem. Why This Role Matters
Design the People Operating System:
You will define how core People work is structured, standardized, and executed—from COEs to Shared Services to People Partners—so that Rivian can scale without losing clarity or quality.
Unlock Capacity with AI & Automation:
By thoughtfully applying AI, workflow automation, and better knowledge management, you will help teams move from manual, reactive work to proactive, strategic impact.
Connect People, Process, and Platforms:
You will act as a bridge between People, IT, and Systems, ensuring that our technology stack (Workday, ServiceNow, iCIMS, and new AI tools) actually reflects how work happens on the ground.
Drive Change at a Pivotal Moment:
As Rivian grows and our footprint expands, this role will be central to how we standardize global practices, enable Shared Services, and build the People infrastructure that supports long-term scale.
Responsibilities Team Leadership & Management
Lead and develop a small team responsible for
work mapping, process redesign, and new ways of working
across the People organization.
Set clear
goals, operating rhythms, and standards
for the team, including diagnostics, pilots, and scaled rollouts.
Coach and performance-manage team members, creating opportunities for
growth, stretch assignments, and cross-functional exposure .
People Transformation & Operating Effectiveness
Lead initiatives that
re-balance and realign work
across the People organization, identifying what should be standardized, centralized, or redesigned to improve scale, clarity, and experience.
Partner with COEs, People Partners, and Shared Services to determine
where work should live over time
and guide transitions, ensuring continuity, quality, and readiness.
Support the evolution of the
People operating model , focusing on how work actually gets done—not just how the org chart is drawn.
Continuous Improvement, Standardization & Process Design
Own
end-to-end process redesign
for priority People journeys (e.g., onboarding, job changes, performance, rewards) especially where work crosses teams, systems, or regions.
Establish common
standards for process design, documentation, and handoffs
to reduce variability and enable smoother execution.
Ensure processes are
clearly documented and accessible , supporting training, adoption, and ongoing improvement.
Identify
friction points, inefficiencies, and avoidable demand , and lead simplification efforts with measurable impact on experience and throughput.
AI, Automation & Digital Enablement
Identify high-value opportunities to apply
AI, workflow automation, and knowledge management
to People processes to improve experience, quality, and capacity.
Translate transformation goals into
clear requirements and priorities
for People platforms (Workday, ServiceNow, iCIMS) and AI initiatives.
Partner closely with IT, People Systems, and Data teams to ensure solutions are
designed around real People workflows , with strong measurement and feedback loops.
Change, Adoption & Leadership
Lead
change management, communication, and adoption
strategies for work transitions, process redesign, and new digital capabilities.
Build strong partnerships with COEs, People Partners, Shared Services, and IT to
align priorities, sequencing, and messaging .
Coach and influence leaders and teams through periods of transition, helping them
navigate trade-offs, clarify roles, and embed new ways of working .
Qualifications Required Qualifications
10+ years
of experience in
People Operations, HR transformation, operational excellence, or related fields
within complex, scaling organizations.
Demonstrated experience leading
process redesign, work transitions, shared-services enablement, or HR operating model changes .
Strong working knowledge of
People technology ecosystems , including Workday and ServiceNow, and familiarity with
ATS platforms (e.g., iCIMS)
and how workflows, data, and integrations support People processes.
Familiarity with
AI and automation concepts
(e.g., workflow automation, knowledge management, agent assist, analytics) and their application within service delivery or operational environments.
Proven
systems thinker
who can connect strategy, operations, experience, and technology into coherent, actionable roadmaps.
Experience partnering closely with
IT and digital teams
to define requirements, evaluate solution options, and prioritize work across platforms.
Excellent
communication, facilitation, and storytelling
skills, with the ability to synthesize complex operational and technical inputs and guide cross-functional decision-making.
Proven ability to
set direction, delegate effectively, and manage capacity
across a team during periods of high change.
Track record of building
inclusive, high-trust team cultures
that balance performance, growth, and well-being.
Bachelor's degree required ; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in
high-growth technology, EV, manufacturing, or similarly complex environments .
Background in
Lean, Six Sigma, design thinking, or service design
applied to People/HR processes.
Prior responsibility for
global HR operations, shared services, or HR service delivery models .
Pay Disclosure Salary Range for Palo Alto, CA-based applicants:
$161,900 - $231,300 annually (Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
Equal Opportunity Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes ("Candidate Personal Data"). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.
#J-18808-Ljbffr