Greenhouse ·
full-timePrincipal, R&D Strategy & Operations
Twilio · Remote - US
Twilio is a customer engagement platform that provides tools for developers to build communication applications. As a Principal for R&D Strategy & Operations, you will function as a bridge between technical teams and executive leadership. Your daily responsibilities will involve crafting high-level narratives for board updates, quarterly business reviews, and executive communications, effectively translating complex engineering and product work into actionable insights. You will manage strategic initiatives from inception to completion, oversee annual and quarterly planning cycles, and work to streamline R&D processes to reduce manual overhead. This role requires close collaboration with finance and data teams to automate business metrics and improve operational efficiency across the organization. The position is well-suited for a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in product, engineering, or program management. A successful candidate will possess a strong technical background, exceptional communication skills, and a proven ability to lead cross-functional programs through influence. This is a remote-first role that demands a strategic mindset to drive change management and process adoption within a decentralized research and development environment.
Who we are At Twilio, we’re shaping the future of communications, all from the comfort of our homes. We deliver innovative solutions to hundreds of thousands of businesses and empower millions of developers worldwide to craft personalized customer experiences. Our dedication to remote-first work , and strong culture of connection and global inclusion means that no matter your location, you’re part of a vibrant team with diverse experiences making a global impact each day. As we continue to revolutionize how the world interacts, we’re acquiring new skills and experiences that make work feel truly rewarding. Your career at Twilio is in your hands. . Hiring and how we work We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help make our hiring process efficient. That said, every hiring decision is made by real Twilions! Also, while we are a remote-first company, you may be asked to report in person on an ad-hoc basis for team gatherings, functional off-sites or customer meetings. . See yourself at Twilio Join the team as Twilio’s next Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations About the job Twilio is the world’s leading customer engagement platform empowering developers to build modern communication applications and experiences designed to be trusted, simple and smart. Twilio is looking for a Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations to drive strategic initiatives across R&D and lead executive communications for Product and Engineering. Reporting to the Director of R&D Strategy & Operations, this role owns how R&D's story gets told to senior leadership — monthly and quarterly business reviews, board updates, and executive narratives — turning complex technical work into clear, concise writing that leaders can act on. You'll partner closely on our annual and quarterly planning cycles, lead strategic initiatives end to end, and serve as the connective tissue between Product and Engineering and the rest of the company, while designing lean processes that deliver our outcomes with less manual overhead. Responsibilities We are looking for a leader who brings technical, process, and product expertise to help: Own the narrative for R&D across monthly and quarterly business reviews, board updates, cross-functional updates, and executive communications, turning complex technical work into clear, concise writing that leaders can act on. Lead strategic projects that are top of mind for the CPTO and executive team. Partner on annual and quarterly planning cycles and mid-year retrospectives, contributing to the process, content, and materials that carry them. Track team progress against plan through Release Council, and surface risks early. Support the R&D/GTM interlock, shaping what R&D communicates to GTM teams to inform their planning cycles. Define and drive adoption of lean R&D processes so outcomes are met with minimal manual overhead. Partner with Finance and Data teams to automate product and business metrics so reporting eventually runs without manual intervention. Seek out change management opportunities that increase process adoption across a decentralized R&D org. Qualifications Twilio values diverse experiences from all kinds of industries, and we encourage everyone who meets the required qualifications to 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: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a related field or equivalent practical experience. 10+ years of experience across product, engineering and process/ program management Experience in a leadership capacity, whether leading teams directly or leading through influence Experience leading programs or product operations for B2B SaaS, PaaS or equivalent Track record of delivering high-impact, highly cross-functional programs end to end Outstanding written and verbal communication that drives executional impact at scale, distilling complex detail into an executive narrative Ability to build trust and exchange ideas across organizational boundaries in service of a broader goal Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and organizational skills Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving, ambiguous environment, with a default to action in order to adapt quickly to changing priorities and requirements Desired: Master’s in computer science or engineering or business administration Experience leading change management in B2B SaaS Location This role will be remote. Travel We prioritize connection and opportunities to build relationships with our customers and each other. For this role, approximately 5-10% travel is anticipated to help you connect in-person in a meaningful way. What We Offer Working at Twilio offers many benefits, including competitive pay, generous time off, ample parental and wellness leave, healthcare, a retirement savings program, and much more. Offerings vary by location. The estimated pay ranges for this role
Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations: role and responsibilities
- Develop and manage the R&D narrative for monthly business reviews, quarterly business reviews, and board updates.
- Lead high-priority strategic projects as directed by the CPTO and executive leadership team.
- Facilitate annual and quarterly planning cycles, including the creation of supporting content and materials.
- Monitor R&D progress through the Release Council to identify and mitigate project risks early.
- Coordinate with GTM teams to ensure R&D communications effectively inform their planning processes.
- Design and implement lean operational processes to improve efficiency and reduce manual overhead.
- Collaborate with Finance and Data teams to automate the reporting of key product and business metrics.
| Role | Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations |
|---|---|
| Company | Twilio |
| Location | Remote - US |
| Type | full-time |
| Compensation | Not disclosed |
| Posted | 2026-10-01 |
| Deadline | Rolling |
How to prepare for the Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations role
- Prepare examples of how you have translated complex technical roadmaps into executive-level summaries.
- Study the principles of lean operations and be ready to discuss how you have optimized cross-functional workflows.
- Practice articulating how you manage change and drive process adoption within decentralized engineering organizations.
- Review your experience in coordinating planning cycles and aligning product development with go-to-market strategies.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Failing to demonstrate executive communication skills; fix this by using the STAR method to highlight how you influenced senior leadership.
- Focusing only on technical details; fix this by emphasizing your ability to connect technical output to business outcomes.
- Ignoring the operational aspect of the role; fix this by highlighting specific instances where you improved process efficiency or reduced manual work.
Resume keywords for this listing
Terms the listing itself uses. Include the ones you can back with a project or experience.
Typical process for this type of role
A general guide — the exact steps for this specific listing may vary; check the original posting for details.
- 1ApplicationSubmit your resume through the apply link.
- 2ScreeningRecruiter reviews your background against the role.
- 3AssessmentA technical test, assignment, or coding round, depending on the role.
- 4Interview(s)One or more rounds with the hiring team.
- 5OfferOffer letter with compensation and start date.
Before you apply
0/4Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations at Twilio: frequently asked questions
- What is the salary for this role?
- Twilio has not stated compensation in the listing. Check the original posting or ask during the application process.
- Is the Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations position remote, hybrid or onsite?
- The listing marks this role as remote, with Remote - US as the location.
- What is the application deadline?
- Twilio has not listed a fixed deadline, so apply early in case the opening is filled.
- How do I apply for the Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations role?
- Use the Apply button on this page. It opens the original listing on job-boards.greenhouse.io, where you submit your application with the company.
- Is this a remote position?
- Yes, Twilio is a remote-first company, though you may be asked to report in person on an ad-hoc basis for team gatherings, off-sites, or customer meetings.
- What is the primary focus of this role?
- The role focuses on driving strategic initiatives across R&D, managing executive communications, and designing lean processes to improve operational efficiency.
- Who does this position report to?
- This role reports to the Director of R&D Strategy & Operations.
- What educational background is required?
- The listing requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field.
More at Twilio
Other jobs at Twilio
- Senior Financial Manager, Partnerships · Remote - US
- Program Manager, Carrier Operations & Governance · Remote - US
- Senior International Payroll Analyst · Remote - Ireland
- Principal Product Manager · Remote - US
- Strategic Account Excecutive · Remote - Mexico
Explore Related Placements
// similar opportunities
You might also like
Principal Product Manager
Twilio
Who we are At Twilio, we’re shaping the future of communications, all from the comfort of our homes. We deliver innovative solutions to hundreds of thousands of...
Principal Presales Engineer
Twilio
Who we are At Twilio, we’re shaping the future of communications, all from the comfort of our homes. We deliver innovative solutions to hundreds of thousands of...
Program Manager, Carrier Operations & Governance
Twilio
Who we are At Twilio, we’re shaping the future of communications, all from the comfort of our homes. We deliver innovative solutions to hundreds of thousands of...
Strategy & Operations Lead
Bjak
About ActAI There are over 5 billion users using basic applications today such email, notes, tasks, calendar and they're not AI-native. Our mission is to build ...
Principal, EMEA Sales Strategy And Operations
Cloudflare
About Us At Cloudflare, we are on a mission to help build a better Internet. Today the company runs one of the world’s largest networks that powers millions of ...
Strategy & Operations, FDE
Anthropic
About Anthropic Anthropic’s mission is to create reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. We want AI to be safe and beneficial for our users and for s...