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)

1. 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. 

3. 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. 

4. 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. 

5. 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. 

6. 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.

7. 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.
  

8. 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.

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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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