VP, Talent Management and Learning

The Vice President, Talent Management and Learning is a strategic and thoughtful leader to lead and implement global leadership and talent strategies that drive business growth, employee development, and leadership excellence. The role will implement programs and processes to align talent initiatives to business strategy and key imperatives. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this role will oversee organizational design and effectiveness, succession planning, talent pipelining and funnel management, learning and development, performance management, leadership development, and talent programs that support the company’s short and long-term success.

This senior leadership role is both customer and employee centric, instrumental in fostering collaboration with HR Business Partners, talent acquisition, and employee experience teams to design and execute a forward-thinking talent strategy that builds organizational capability and capacity, efficiency and effectiveness. The successful candidate will be an innovative thought leader with deep expertise in developing and executing global talent strategies within a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop framework, process and tools for ensuring organizational readiness for future state growth, building capability and capacity 
• Design and enhance global talent management strategies to develop, retain, and engage top talent while aligning with company goals and culture.
• Partner with the CPO, senior leadership, HR teams, and business leaders to integrate talent programs and systems that drive business results.
• Build and lead a high-performing global team, providing strategic direction, coaching, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement a succession planning framework that ensures leadership readiness and a strong internal talent pipeline for critical roles.
• Aligning workforce strategy and people development with long-term goals.
• Partner with business leaders and HRBPs to assess current talent and future workforce needs, identifying high-potential employees for accelerated development.
• Drive integration between succession planning, performance management, and talent reviews to ensure alignment and continuous talent growth.
• Oversee the design and implementation of a learning strategy, ensuring programs support business priorities, skill development, and career growth at all levels.
• Ensure assessment and learning programs drive continuous learning, leadership development, and career growth across the organization.
• Partner with external experts, vendors, and industry leaders to bring cutting-edge development initiatives into the company.
• Lead initiatives that identify and support career progression opportunities for employees
• Lead M&A talent program integration 
• Implement tools and frameworks that support employee engagement, performance feedback, and continuous development.
• Oversee the selection, delivery, and integration of HR technology and talent management systems that enhance effectiveness.
• Develop key metrics and insights to assess the impact of talent initiatives, continuously improving strategies based on data.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in global Talent Management, including succession planning, learning, performance, and leadership development.
• Proven track record in building talent pipelines, internal mobility programs, talent rotational programs and early career development. 
• Proven success designing and deploying enterprise-wide talent programs that drive leadership development, career growth, and engagement.
• Successful track record in building talent pipelines and development programs to increase ready-now talent. 
• Proven experience in talent assessment tools and deployment worldwide.
• Strong leadership experience, including managing and developing global teams to execute large-scale HR and organizational initiatives.
• Experience leading talent strategies during periods of growth, transformation, or M&A.
• Strong project management and execution skills, with the ability to drive results across multiple business units, geographies, and HR teams.
• Experience in fostering global internal mobility programs and rotational programs including early career hire programs.
• Large-scale corporate communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills.
• Excels at prioritizing stakeholders and assessing outcomes and the strategic return on initiatives, with the ability to pivot strategy and direction as needed.
• Travel Requirement: Up to 50% (Global and Domestic)

Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex ideas into clear, engaging messages. 
• Highly adaptable, with a low ego, high EQ, and strong relationship-building skills across all levels.
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow through, with ability to be flexible and adapt to change.
• Ability to navigate and succeed in a fast-paced global organization.
• Operates with a global mindset.
• Results-based leadership style with strong impact and influencing skills. 
• Active listening, asking probing questions and offering creative solutions that meet our organizational objectives in the most effective way. 
• Knowledge of dynamic talent management and development programs and emerging trends, ability to use metrics to continuously improve.
• Ability to take initiative, conscientiously following through on areas of responsibility, and manage the needs of multiple stakeholders.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fluid environment, often working under pressure and juggling multiple deadlines.
• Demonstrate strong mentoring, influencing, relationship building, planning and organizational skills. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple priorities.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, drive clarity.
• Create a working environment where productivity can be sustained and accomplished, and where innovation and personal growth is encouraged and realized. 

Working Conditions

• This position is a hybrid role.
• Travel Requirement: Up to 50% (Global and Domestic)

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work