KONE is a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry: our job is to make the world’s cities better places to live. At KONE, our mission is to improve the flow of urban life. As a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, KONE provides elevators, escalators, and automatic building doors, as well as solutions for maintenance and modernization, which add value to the life cycle of any building.
KONE People & Communications team enables business performance and competitiveness through engaged and capable people, strong reputation management, impactful internal and external communications and great employee experiences. We bring KONE’s strategy to life, supporting competence, capability and culture development as well as strengthening the KONE purpose and company story for all our stakeholders. By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to work across a diverse range of topics, while also working closely with our businesses, to help drive the People and Communications agenda.
We are looking for a
Senior Program Manager, Employee Life Cycle Simplification
to lead and conduct the strategic initiatives set in P&C Direction as radically simplifying the employee lifecycle.
To align with KONE’s ‘Rise to Lead’ strategy and enable its success, we have recently launched the People & Communications (P&C) Direction 2025–2030.
One of the key priorities of the projects launched is to simplify KONE P&C processes. Radically simplifying the employee lifecycle involves streamlining processes, using automation, and improving transparent and timely communication at each stage. The goal is to enhance the employee experience and boost productivity by removing bottlenecks and unnecessary steps.
This role reports to the Senior Vice President People & Communication, Global Functions & Organizational Effectiveness, and is part of the Global P&C Strategy and Development Team.
The preferred location of the position is Espoo, Finland or any major KONE location.
This position is a two-year fixed-term contract.
Responsibilities and key activities
Responsible for defining program vision together with business owners, taking into account the plans and constraints of various functions needed to deliver the program.
Responsible for defining the measurable and realistic targets and milestones for the program together with the stakeholders with focus on customer and business value.
Communicates program vision to all stakeholders who directly and indirectly contribute to the program or receive value from the program and secures their commitment.
Accountable for financial planning and proposals for the program in line with the applicable portfolio management and governance practices.
Program set up
Accountable and responsible for setting up the necessary program streams (or projects) with clear goals for each stream, taking into account the ways of working relevant for the participating functions.
Accountable and responsible for ensuring allocation of agreed resources for the program from participating functions.
Accountable for establishing, maintaining, and executing the program plan and roadmap adhering to agreed and applicable KONE Way processes.
Accountable for establishing program governance and reporting processes. Ensures effective communication to all internal and external stakeholders.
Program execution and governance
Accountable for managing program level activities such as periodic planning, demos and aligning the plans between different teams, following the applicable KONE Way processes and ways of working (e.g., Lean & Agile execution)
Accountable for engaging & managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., Customers, partners, suppliers) to remove impediments and minimize program risks.
Works with stakeholders, product managers, project teams to continuously prioritize backlogs; balances needs versus resources and adapting the scope to achieve best possible outcomes for customers and business.
Accountable for ensuring that safety and quality procedures are followed during program execution. Accountable for ensuring regulatory and financial compliance within the program.
Accountable for identifying and managing risks and dependencies for the program and ensuring timely actions. Engages with senior management to resolve critical dependencies.
Closely engages with program teams to remove program impediments and ensures that they have the needed inputs, infrastructure, and other forms of support.
Required skills and competences
M.Sc.or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
7-10 years of broad and progressive Human Resources (HR) experience, preferably in multinational company
Background from development/ operational leadership roles within HR, Comms or other relevant functions
Demonstrated track record of large-scale program management and deep understanding of program management methods & principles on a global scale
Experience in working across functional/ business lines in a global matrix organization¸ proven track record of successful roles in multi-cultural business environment
Experience in leading, developing and coaching P&C professionals
Hands-on project management and change management experience
Good understanding of HR process landscape and IT architecture
Excellent communication, collaboration and stakeholder management skills to enable impact
Fluency of English; one additional main area language is an asset
What we offer:
Great career and growth opportunities
Chance to be part an integral part of our global business organization and be part of developing our ways of working in KONE HQ and the Nordics, and to be part of driving our culture development
An environment where our managers and employees truly value your contributions as P&C and have a positive outlook on this support
Community of highly professional P&C colleagues that value your contribution and are always ready to support you.
For additional information please contact Niklas Eriksson, Senior Vice President, People & Communications Operations Development and Services, niklas.eriksson@kone.com .
Want to #joinourflow?
If you see that you have the experience and qualities to be successful in this role, please submit your application with your updated CV and cover letter via Careers site by November 30th 2025.
#LI-GO
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 www.kone.com/careers