Head of Learning and Development - Human Capital, Head Office Reitz

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.
• 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

Values-driven strategic leader who offers :

QUALIFICATIONS

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

WHY JOIN VKB?

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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