Job Description

HEAD OF LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT (L&D) - VKB Group
Lead with Values. Build Capability. Shape the Future.
The VKB Group is seeking a strategic, future-focused Head of Learning & Development who embodies our core values: humble, hungry, smart, bold, and a true team player.
This is not a traditional L&D role. We are looking for a visionary who can design a future-ready learning organisation, prepare our workforce for evolving agricultural and technological demands, and ensure learning becomes a competitive advantage for VKB.
About the Role
As the Head of L&D, you will design and execute an integrated Group-wide L&D strategy that strengthens organisational capability, accelerates technology adoption (including AI), and supports leadership, talent, and pipeline development across all VKB entities.
You will lead the shift toward a digitally enabled, high-performance, values-driven learning culture that empowers every employee - across generations, functions, and geographies - to grow, perform, and thrive.
As the L&D Lead, you will form part of VKB's forward-thinking Human Capital Experience (HCX) function, working closely with the DEI&B, Talent Acquisition, and Organisational Development Portfolio Leads. Reporting directly to the Executive: Human Capital Experience, you will contribute to the full employee lifecycle - ensuring learning is woven into recruitment, onboarding, development, engagement, performance, retention, and succession. Your work will be deeply integrated across HCX, with a strong focus on building future-ready capability and aligning learning to organisational culture, strategy, and the future world of work.
WHAT YOU WILL DO (CORE RESPONSIBILITIES) * Lead the Group L&D Strategy

• Build and execute a multi-year L&D strategy aligned to VKB's strategy, HCX roadmap, and future skills needs.
• Translate business priorities into capability roadmaps for leadership, technical roles, frontline employees, and critical/scarce skills.
• Position L&D as an engine of performance, transformation, and future-readiness.

2. Build a Future-Ready Workforce

• Lead future skills mapping, capability frameworks, and workforce upskilling/reskilling initiatives.
• Develop learning pathways for digital skills, AI literacy, automation readiness, and emerging agricultural technologies.
• Modernise VKB's learning ecosystem into a digital, blended, AI-enabled learning environment.
• Elevate Leadership, Talent & Succession Development

• Design and deliver leadership development frameworks, from emerging leaders to senior executives.
• Own Group-wide succession planning, readiness assessment, top talent acceleration, and leadership pipelines.
• Partner with OD, TA, and HCX to align development to the VKB "Winning Habits" and performance culture.
• Strengthen Learning Infrastructure & Systems

• Implement or optimise LMS/LXP platforms and create a unified VKB Digital Learning Academy.
• Introduce innovative learning modalities: gamification, microlearning, digital academies, experiential learning, scenario-based learning, and coaching/mentoring programmes.
• Advance adoption of AI-driven learning tools, personalised learning journeys, and data-driven learning analytics.
• Build a High-Performing Learning Organisation

• Lead, mentor, and elevate a high-performing L&D team that models VKB's values.
• Establish strong internal learning governance and consistent Group-wide standards.
• Develop and enforce best-practice instructional design methodologies.
• Promote a Culture of Learning, Inclusion & Growth

• Drive Group-wide learning culture initiatives, including learning campaigns, capability sprints, learning weeks, and knowledge-sharing forums.
• Ensure learning experiences are inclusive across cultures, languages, educational levels, and generations.
• Integrate learning into employee experience, from onboarding to career pathways.
• Demonstrate Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Ensure SETA compliance, coordinate WSP/ATR submissions, and manage external learning partners.
• Optimise spend for maximum Skills Development points across all VKB affiliates.
• Champion ROI measurement through learning analytics, performance metrics, and business impact studies.

• Strategic Partner to Executives & Leaders

• Act as a thought partner to business leaders, and HCX colleagues.
• Influence strategic decisions through insights, benchmarking, innovation, and global best practice.
• Represent L&D at Group-level business reviews, Board Committees, and ESG forums.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
A values-driven strategic leader who offers:

• Proven experience in shaping Group-wide L&D strategies and capability agendas.
• Deep knowledge of future skills, digital learning technologies, AI-enabled learning, and modern instructional design.
• Passion for developing top talent, strengthening leadership pipelines, and enabling succession.
• A collaborative, inclusive, mature and influential leadership style that engages diverse leaders and operational environments.
• Curiosity, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate trends into practical L&D solutions.
• Commitment to inclusive, multi-generational, people-centered learning.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Learning & Development, Industrial Psychology, Organisational Development, or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (Honours/Masters) in HR, Industrial Psychology, Leadership, or Business strongly preferred.
• Professional certifications in L&D, Talent, Coaching, Instructional Design, Digital Learning (ATD, CIPD, CPTD) an advantage.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

• 5-10+ years in Learning & Development, Talent Development, or OD.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior L&D leadership role within a complex or multi-site organisation.
• Demonstrated success in large-scale L&D strategy execution, change management, digital transformation, and leadership/talent development.
• Experience with LMS/LXP, digital and blended learning, gamification, and AI-driven learning solutions.
• Strong exposure to succession planning, capability development, and workforce reskilling.
• Experience supporting multi-generational workforce needs and designing inclusive learning experiences.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and executive influencing skills.

WHY JOIN VKB?

• Be part of a values-driven organisation shaping the future of food security and sustainable agriculture.
• Build a future-ready workforce in a role that directly impacts performance, innovation, and organisational culture.
• Lead a high-impact L&D function that becomes a strategic competitive advantage for VKB.
• Play a transformational role in Growing People. Growing Business. Growing the Future.

Other Information
The company can expire jobs at any time at their own discretion.
VKB Group and/or its subsidiary companies will use any personal data collected through the job opportunities section of this website for recruitment purposes only and, should your application be successful, for purposes connected with your employment.
VKB Group is an equal opportunity employer. VKB Group's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to VKB Group's Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. VKB Group actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities
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Skills Required