The Defense Systems (DS) Sector Human Resources organization is seeking a Principal (level 3) or Sr. Principal (level 4) Skill-Gap Insight & Innovations Lead to join the Talent and Organizational Effectiveness Team.
The Skill-Gap Insight & Innovations Lead is a forward-thinking learning and development professional responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive framework that elevates and integrates learning initiatives across tenure transition, leadership development, and talent programs. This role serves as the innovative backbone for DS development efforts by driving adaptive, future-ready solutions aligned with emerging talent needs and organizational strategies aimed at preparing DS for 2035 and beyond.
This position reports to the Senior Manager, Talent & Organizational Capability for the Defense Systems sector, and is located in a Defense Systems sector facility (McLean, VA; Roy, UT; Huntsville, AL; Linthicum, MD).
Key Responsibilities
• Design, develop, and implement skill-gap analysis and targeted interventions that elevate learning pathways across Tenured Transition, Leadership Series, and Talent Development programs, ensuring continuous innovation and growth.
• Lead the creation and maintenance of the Skills Taxonomy & Emerging Talent Blueprint, guiding program content and direction by defining future skills requirements and strategic talent development plans.
• Drive Knowledge Transfer initiatives that support ongoing sharing of expertise through coaching, community of practice activities, and pathway programs, enhancing learning continuity and innovation across DS functions.
• Develop and manage an Evaluation Strategy to continuously assess and refine speaker development, engagement activities, and HR upskilling programs to maximize learning impact and business outcomes.
• Champion Learning Reinforcement methods within experiential learning cohorts and other development efforts to embed knowledge retention and application for sustained individual and organizational growth.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including HR, talent management, and functional business leaders, to ensure alignment of learning interventions with broader organizational strategies and evolving business needs.
• Utilize data analytics and insights to assess skill gaps, track program effectiveness, and deliver recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Provide expert consultation and high-touch support to HR and business partners on learning strategies and interventions that drive talent readiness and development.
• Support enterprise-wide initiatives by applying project management rigor, process discipline, change management, and compliance as needed.
Basic Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Talent Management, Learning & Development, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• To qualify for level 3 / Principal: Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of progressive experience in learning strategy, skill-gap analysis, talent development, or related areas within a large, complex organization. Master's degree and 3+ years of progressive experience in learning strategy, skill-gap analysis, talent development, or related areas within a large, complex organization.
• To qualify for level 4 / Sr. Principal: Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of progressive experience in learning strategy, skill-gap analysis, and talent development in large, complex environments. Master's degree and 6+ years of progressive experience in learning strategy, skill-gap analysis, and talent development in large, complex environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing innovative learning frameworks, competency models, and evaluation strategies.
• Strong data literacy with experience using analytics to inform learning design and make business recommendations.
• Proven project management skills, with at least 3 years’ experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to create professional presentations, resources, and tools tailored for executive-level stakeholders.
• Experience developing measures, metrics, and data visualizations to address business problems using data solutions.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.
Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree in HR Management, Talent Development, Organizational Development, or related discipline.
• Certification in change management, instructional design, coaching, or agile methodologies.
• Experience supporting leadership development and succession planning initiatives.
• Experience with knowledge transfer programs and coaching frameworks.
• Familiarity with defense industry talent management and development environments.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Talent Management, Learning & Development, Organizational Development, or related field
- Principal level: Bachelor's degree and 5+ years progressive experience OR Master's degree and 3+ years progressive experience in learning strategy, skill-gap analysis, or talent development
- Sr. Principal level: Bachelor's degree and 8+ years progressive experience OR Master's degree and 6+ years progressive experience in learning strategy, skill-gap analysis, or talent development
- Demonstrated expertise designing and implementing learning frameworks, competency models, and evaluation strategies
- Strong data literacy and experience using analytics to inform learning design and business recommendations
- At least 3 years' project management experience leading cross-functional initiatives
- Ability to create professional presentations, resources, and tools for executive-level stakeholders
- Experience developing measures, metrics, and data visualizations to address business problems
- Ability to travel up to 10%
- Master's degree in HR Management, Talent Development, Organizational Development, or related discipline
- Certifications in change management, instructional design, coaching, or agile methodologies
- Experience supporting leadership development and succession planning initiatives
- Experience with knowledge transfer programs and coaching frameworks
- Familiarity with defense industry talent management and development environments
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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