Location: Lisle, IL
Full Time

Job Title: Head of Learning & Development, Americas

Company Overview

Founded in 1910, KONE is a global leader that provides elevators, escalators and automatic building doors, as well as solutions for maintenance and modernization that add value to buildings throughout their life cycle. Our mission is to improve the flow of urban life and make our world’s cities better places to live by providing innovative solutions that help make people’s journeys safe, convenient and reliable.
Our operations in over 60 countries around the world has helped us achieve our position as an innovation and sustainability leader with repeated recognitions by Forbes, Corporate Knights for clean capitalism and others.  

Role Overview

The Head of Learning & Development, Americas is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping the learning vision and driving talent development across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This leader will develop and execute innovative learning strategies that build critical capabilities, accelerate performance, and support KONE’s business objectives.

Partnering closely with senior business leaders, HR, and global stakeholders, the Head of L&D will champion a culture of continuous learning while overseeing the design, delivery, and evolution of impactful development programs. Leading regional L&D teams, this individual will drive collaboration, innovation, and alignment across the Americas to ensure employees are equipped to succeed today and in the future.

Role Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA, Master's, or related field) preferred.
• 10+ years of Learning & Development, Talent Development, Organizational Development, Human Resources, or related experience.
• 5+ years of experience in people leadership and demonstrated success leading teams and achieving results through others.
• Experience developing and implementing enterprise-wide or regional learning strategies.
• Proven experience leading Learning & Development functions within complex, matrixed organizations.
• Experience with learning technologies, Learning Management Systems (LMS), digital learning platforms, and online learning methodologies.
• Strong English verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel 10–20%, including occasional international travel

Key Competencies

• Leadership & Collaboration
• Business Acumen
• Communication & Influence
• Analytical & Execution Excellence

Key Responsibilities

Learning Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the Americas Learning & Development strategy aligned with business objectives and global learning priorities.
• Build and sustain a strong learning culture that promotes continuous development, growth, and career advancement.
• Define regional and local competence development priorities in partnership with HR and business leaders.
• Develop and implement learning frameworks, governance processes, and standards that support organizational capability development.
• Ensure learning initiatives support current and future workforce needs and talent strategies.

Learning Solutions & Program Delivery

• Lead the design, deployment, maintenance, and continuous improvement of learning solutions across the Americas.
• Drive innovation through online learning solutions, learning technologies, digital learning platforms, and modern learning methodologies.
• Oversee the delivery of global and local training programs based on approved budgets, organizational guidelines, and strategic priorities.
• Support learning design project portfolio governance to ensure learning solutions align with key business priorities and goals.
• Serve as a facilitator, trainer, or presenter for selected leadership, professional development, and business-critical programs and workshops.
• Ensure all learning programs deliver measurable business impact and support employee development goals.

Business Partnership & Capability Development

• Partner closely with business and HR leaders to identify capability gaps and develop targeted learning solutions.
• Build local training plans in collaboration with HR, business leadership, and Area L&D teams.
• Ensure effective utilization of global learning processes, including:
  • Competence development
  • Professional competency frameworks
  • Leadership competency models
  • Training development processes
  • Learning delivery and administration practices
• Help business leaders establish meaningful KPIs, learning targets, and success metrics for training programs.
• Align learning and competence development initiatives with both short-term business objectives and long-term workforce requirements.
• Act as a trusted advisor to leaders on organizational capability development and workforce readiness.

Team Leadership

• Lead, direct, coach, and develop a team of Learning & Development professionals across the Americas region.
• Build a high-performing, collaborative, and customer-focused team culture.
• Ensure team members possess the skills, capabilities, and resources needed to deliver high-quality learning services.
• Drive collaboration and best-practice sharing across teams in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• Foster employee engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement within the L&D function.

Budget & Operational Management

• Develop and manage the annual Americas Learning & Development Center of Excellence (CoE) budget in accordance with global and local budgeting guidelines.
• Monitor resource allocation and learning investments to maximize organizational impact and return on investment.
• Measure learning effectiveness through analytics, reporting, and business performance indicators.
• Ensure effective governance, administration, and operational excellence across all learning initiatives.

Preferred Experience

• Multi-country leadership experience across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• Experience leading a Learning & Development Center of Excellence (CoE).
• Organizational Development and Change Management expertise.
• Experience within industrial, manufacturing, engineering, construction, field service, or similarly complex operational environments.
• Advanced knowledge of learning analytics, capability planning, and workforce development.

About KONE

At KONE, we foster an innovative and collaborative culture, valuing each individual's contribution. Employee engagement and sustainability are key focuses, promoting ethical practices and mutual respect. We're proud to offer experience and opportunities to help you achieve career and personal goals while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

We hire individuals who value culture because we believe culture drives innovation

• We value your authentic self. 
• Collaborative, creative, and supportive work environment.
• Passionate about safety, quality, and innovation 
• We care about the communities where we live and work. 

Just some of our many benefits include: 

United States

• Competitive salary 
• Flexible work schedule 
• Opportunities to learn and grow 
• 401K Employer Match
• 401k Employer Non-elective Contribution 
• Well-being Program
• Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Digital Health Solutions & Telehealth
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Family & Medical Leave
• Parental Leave
• Leave to Care for a Domestic Partner
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
• Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance  
• Company Paid Short-term and Long-term Disability
• Buy-Up Long-term Disability
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity & Accident Insurance
• Identity Theft Protection
• Legal Insurance
• KONE Credit Union
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Commuter Benefits

Annual Base Pay Range:

The national hiring range for this role is $196,600 – $258,090. The compensation package offered will depend on candidate’s ability to meet the requirements of the role, needs for the business strategy, and a range of factors unique to each candidate, including their skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and location.    

Variable Compensation

KONE Annual Bonus plan at 25% Target Incentive (70/30) based on achievement of company goals and individual goals.
 

Come share your passion and energy to make a positive impact at KONE for our customers and your career! 

*Beware of Recruitment Scams!*

KONE is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Read more on www.kone.com/en/careers/

At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual. Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice. We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co-workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized. In being a great place to work, we are proud to offer a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.

Read more on https://kone.com/global/en/careers.html