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Talent Program Manager

Purpose

The Talent Program Manager (Talent Experience & Operations) is responsible for the end-to-end strategic design, delivery, and continuous improvement of talent experiences across North America. This role serves as the operational backbone for key talent initiatives, ensuring seamless execution of onboarding, learning and development programs, the North America High Potential (HIPO) Program, internship experiences, and other talent development offerings.

 

The role partners closely with local and global Talent Management, HRBPs, Learning & Development, business leaders, vendors, and participants to create engaging, impactful, and well-executed development experiences. Through strong program management, operational excellence, stakeholder communication, and experience design, this role ensures talent programs are delivered effectively, achieve intended business outcomes, and provide a best-in-class participant experience.

 

A key focus of the role is bringing creativity and operational rigor together by enhancing communications, branding, promotion, participant engagement, and program execution to drive best-in-class excellence, while leveraging data and participant feedback to continuously improve the talent experience across North America.

 

Key Accountabilities

  • Responsible for defining program strategy, designing scalable processes, and leading the operational delivery and continuous improvement of talent and development programs across North America, including onboarding, internships, performance management, NAM HIPO, leadership development, and other talent initiatives.
  • Lead end-to-end program management, ensuring achievement of objectives, milestones, deliverables, communications, timelines, budgets, and participant outcomes.
  • Design and execute a best-in-class onboarding experience, including communications, orientation activities, stakeholder engagement, and employee integration.
  • Facilitate New Employee Orientation (NEO) in person and virtual across North America business locations. 
  • Partner with business leaders, HRBPs, Talent Management, and key stakeholders to identify talent needs and translate them into impactful talent solutions that support business priorities.
  • Lead the planning, execution, and continuous enhancement of leadership development and high-potential talent programs, ensuring strong participant experiences and business impact.
  • Develop and deliver communications, presentations, learning materials, toolkits, and resources that drive engagement, awareness, and adoption of talent initiatives.
  • Establish and maintain program governance, operational processes, and project plans to ensure effective execution, stakeholder alignment, and risk management.
  • Operate as the primary point of contact (SPOC) for talent program participants, managers, facilitators, and key stakeholders.
  • Measure and evaluate program effectiveness through feedback mechanisms, participation metrics, outcome tracking, and reporting, using insights to drive continuous improvement.
  • Oversee budget planning, vendor management, contracting, procurement processes, and external partnerships to ensure talent investments are aligned to business priorities and delivered efficiently.
  • Maintain awareness of talent and learning trends, market practices, and organizational needs to inform future program design and enhancements.
  • Support additional talent, learning, and operational initiatives as required to advance Talent Management priorities across North America.

Key Relationships:

  • Global Talent Acquisition & Employee Experience Team
  • Talent Acquisition leadership team  
  • Talent Leadership & Wider Team 
  • HR Senior Leader Team Members  
  • Business Leaders and HR Business Partners (in Markets, Functions, Brands), and HR PMO team  
  • Other HR Leaders and Talent Organization  
  • External vendors  
  • Global Business Services  

Key Measures of Success:

  • Design & delivery of onboarding experiences against established timelines and milestones, with positive feedback from new hires and business stakeholders.
  • Timely and accurate execution of program communications, events, and operational processes.
  • Effective management of talent program budgets, vendor partnerships, contracts, procurement activities, and external learning providers, ensuring quality delivery and fiscal responsibility.
  • Positive stakeholder feedback from participants, managers, HRBPs, and business leaders.
  • Continuous enhancement of talent programs and experiences based on participant feedback and business needs.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

  • Demonstrates autonomy in leading projects and operational initiatives, applying sound judgment and strategic decision-making to achieve organizational objectives.
  • Effectively prioritizes and drives multiple complex assignments in a dynamic environment, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business priorities under tight deadlines.
  • Maintains the highest standards of professionalism and discretion in managing sensitive and confidential information, effectively navigating stakeholder relationships while fostering trust and integrity across teams.
  • Successful track record of designing, implementing, and driving Talent development and experience strategies and activate programs within a global Matrix Organization, adapting to evolving business needs.
  • Ability to utilize & implement AI solutions to automate ongoing program logistics.
  • Exercise strong attention to detail, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to proactively identify risks, resolve operational challenges, and ensure high-quality program execution.
  • Experience managing vendor partnerships and third-party providers, ensuring delivery quality, cost effectiveness, and alignment with talent management objectives.
  • Strong process improvement and problem-solving capabilities with a focus on scalability, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation, presentation development, and executive communications.
  • At adidas we offer a Hybrid work policy which requires attendance in the office Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Friday each week. For work requiring a high degree of collaboration or an in-person presentation, in-office attendance is required even on Friday

Qualifications (Minimum required education and experience):

  • Four-year College or University degree preferred and
  • Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in Talent Management/Development Programs/Onboarding
  • Combination of education and experience may be substituted for degree.
  • adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance. Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 14 weeks of paid parental leave.
  • Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on company performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.
  • Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.
  • At adidas we offer a Hybrid work policy which requires attendance in the office Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Friday each week. For work requiring a high degree of collaboration or an in-person presentation, in-office attendance is required even on Friday. The working location of this position is Portland, OR.

AT ADIDAS WE HAVE A WINNING CULTURE. BUT TO WIN, PHYSICAL POWER IS NOT ENOUGH. JUST LIKE ATHLETES OUR EMPLOYEES NEED MENTAL STRENGTH IN THEIR GAME. WE FOSTER THE ATHLETE’S MINDSET THROUGH A SET OF BEHAVIORS THAT WE WANT TO ENABLE AND DEVELOP IN OUR PEOPLE AND THAT ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR UNIQUE COMPANY CULTURE: THIS IS HOW WE WIN WHILE PLAYING FAIR.

  • COURAGE: Speak up when you see an opportunity; step up when you see a need..
  • OWNERSHIP: Pick up the ball. Be proactive, take responsibility and follow-through.
  • INNOVATION: Elevate to win. Be curious, test and learn new and better ways of doing things.
  • TEAMPLAY: Win together. Work collaboratively and cultivate a shared mindset.
  • INTEGRITY: Play by the rules. Hold yourself and others accountable to our company’s standards.
  • RESPECT: Value all players. Display empathy, be inclusive and show dignity to all.


At adidas, we strongly believe that embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into our culture and talent processes gives our employees a sense of belonging and our brand a real competitive advantage.

– Culture Starts With People, It Starts With You –

By recruiting talent and developing our people to reflect the rich diversity of our consumers and communities, we foster a culture of inclusion that engages our employees and authentically connects our brand with our consumers.

Job Title:  Talent Program Manager

TEAM:  People & Culture
Location:  Portland
State:  OR
Country/Region:  US
Contract Type:  Full time
Number:  550580
Date:  Oct 6, 2026
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