Learning & Development Programs Lead

Here at Appian, our values of Intensity and Excellence define who we are. We set high standards and live up to them, ensuring that everything we do is done with care and quality. We approach every challenge with ambition and commitment, holding ourselves and each other accountable to achieve the best results. When you join Appian, you’ll be part of a passionate team dedicated to accomplishing hard things, together. The Learning and Development (L&D) Programs Lead will define and lead the strategy, design, and execution of learning and development programs that drive measurable sales performance. This role brings together sales enablement, adult learning, and revenue strategy into a unified approach, building a scalable system that improves ramp time, increases win rates, and drives consistent execution across the global sales organization. This role will shape how Appian prepares its sales teams with the capabilities, insights, and behaviors needed to succeed in complex enterprise sales. This role is based at our HQ in McLean, VA. Appian was built on a culture of in-person collaboration, which we believe is a key driver of our mission to be the best. Employees hired for this position are expected to be in the office 5 days a week to foster that culture and ensure we continue to thrive through shared ideas and teamwork. We believe being in the office provides more opportunities to come together and celebrate working with the exceptional people across Appian. Responsibilities: Strategy & Leadership Define and execute a global Sales L&D strategy aligned with revenue goals and GTM priorities Build a multi-year roadmap covering onboarding, continuous development, leadership training, and role-based learning paths Partner closely with Sales, Product Marketing, RevOps, and Customer Success leadership Program Development & Execution Design and deliver high-impact programs across: New hire onboarding Core sales methodologies Product and industry knowledge Executive selling and deal strategy Implement blended learning approaches (live, digital, cohort-based, experiential) Performance Impact Design L&D programs with learning objectives that directly support Sales’ business outcomes such as: Sales employee ramp time Pipeline generation Win rates Deal size Sales cycle length Establish KPIs and measurement frameworks to track program effectiveness Onboarding & Ramp Design and deliver a structured, role-based onboarding program that accelerates time-to-productivity Define clear learning objectives and milestones aligned to early-stage performance expectations Partner with Sales Leadership and RevOps to ensure onboarding reflects current GTM priorities Continuously optimize onboarding based on ramp metrics, new hire performance, and feedback Sales Leadership Enablement Develop first-line manager and sales leader training programs Equip leaders to coach effectively and reinforce behaviors in the field Global Scale & Consistency Ensure programs are scalable and adaptable across geographic regions, functional roles and industry verticals Drive consistency in messaging, methodology, and execution Team & Vendor Management Build and lead a high-performing L&D / enablement team Manage external vendors, platforms, and content partners Basic Qualifications: 10+ years in Sales Enablement, Sales L&D, or Revenue Enablement 5+ years leading teams and global programs Bachelor’s Degree required in a related field Experience in enterprise SaaS or complex B2B sales environments Proven track record of improving measurable sales outcomes through L&D initiatives Deep understanding of enterprise sales motions and methodologies Data-driven mindset with experience tying enablement to revenue metrics with practical experience implementing the Kirkpatrick model Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills Strong adult learning expertise Preferred Experience: Experience building and scaling global onboarding programs that reduce ramp time and improve early-stage quota attainment Certification or deep familiarity with leading sales methodologies Experience enabling enterprise, multi-stakeholder, and platform-based sales motions focused on value-based sales Proven experience implementing and optimizing enablement tech stacks and leveraging AI in the learning experience (e.g., Highspot, Seismic, LMS/LXP platforms, OpenAI, Gemini and Claude) Experience with learning analytics, measurement frameworks, and connecting enablement efforts to revenue performance Exposure to global sales organizations and regional localization strategies Experience working cross-functionally with Product and Engineering, Product Marketing, RevOps, and Customer Success to align messaging and training Familiarity with AI-driven learning tools, content personalization, and adaptive learning technologies Tools and Resources Training and Development: During onboarding, we focus on equipping new hires with the skills and knowledge for success through department-specific training. Continuous learning is a central focus at Appian, with dedicated mentorship and the First-Friend program being widely utilized resources for new hires. Growth Opportunities: Appian provides a diverse array of growth and development opportunities, including our leadership program tailored for new and aspiring managers, a comprehensive library of specialized department training through Appian University, skills based training, and tuition reimbursement for those aiming to advance their education. This commitment ensures that employees have access to a holistic range of development opportunities. Community: We’ll immerse you into our community rooted in respect starting on day one. Appian fosters inclusivity through our 8 employee-led affinity groups. These groups help employees build stronger internal and external networks by planning social, educational, and outreach activities to connect with Appianites and larger initiatives throughout the company. Benefits Appian offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and financial future. Benefits may include health coverage, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free mental health support, life and disability insurance, an Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), a retirement/pension plan, wellness dollars, tuition reimbursement, family-forming benefits and more. Benefits vary by country—please ask your Talent Acquisition contact for details specific to the location you are applying to. About Appian Appian provides process automation technology. We automate complex processes in large enterprises and governments. Our platform is known for its unique reliability and scale. We’ve been automating processes for 25 years and understand enterprise operations like no one else. For more information, visit appian.com. [Nasdaq: APPN] Follow Appian: LinkedIn, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook Appian is an equal opportunity employer that strives to attract and retain the best talent. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Appian provides reasonable accommodations to applicants in accordance with all applicable laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at ReasonableAccommodations@appian.com. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Appian's Applicant & Candidate Privacy Notice